A ‘Light’ in the Darkness: Birmingham Shelter Provides Housing, Dignity

Like any other home, First Light provides warm beds, a kitchen for meals together, communal living areas and outdoor space. Guests at the Birmingham shelter not only have access to these basic necessities, but they also receive care and support to help them navigate through a period of homelessness. 

First Light, a shelter for women and women with children, began as a small, volunteer-run operation at First Presbyterian Church, providing lodging and a hot meal during the winter months. As more women sought help, First Light was incorporated in 1998, and renovations began on the former Granada Hotel, located two blocks away, to expand capacity and services. 

A beacon of light for Birmingham, First Light offers resources for families in need year-round, housing approximately 50 people at a time. 

“They come to our door, and we guide them so they can get re-established,” says Executive Director Sherry Bray.

Potential of Women

Women find themselves in need of housing due to a variety of circumstances. They may have lost their job and can’t pay rent, need to leave an unsafe living situation or have experienced a financial crisis due to medical or other bills. 

No matter the reason, Bray and the staff seek to treat them with dignity, intentionally calling them “guests.”

Bray is a longtime veteran of human services having first worked in children’s services. Interning at another homeless shelter helped her craft the vision for First Light when she came on board as director.

“I saw the potential in women to overcome obstacles and have their children alongside them,” she recalls.
 
Bray also knows the harsh reality people would be faced with if First Light wasn’t available. With minimal resources catered to women and children, those in crisis would be on the street, sleeping in the cars or bouncing from couch to couch. These scenarios could result in a dangerous situation for the vulnerable.

“Simply put, First Light saves people’s lives,” Bray says.

Back on Their Feet

First Light uplifts guests in a variety of ways, empowering them with job training and job searches, financial wellness training, spiritual care and counselling. Women also have access to mobile court proceedings to move legal cases forward quicker and a mobile medical unit so they don’t have to spend a large part of the day riding public transit to appointments. 

To support their individual journeys, each woman has a social worker to provide additional guidance. 

“Our goal is to offer comprehensive care, not just a bed,” Bray adds.

Success stories happen every day at First Light, whether a family moving into their new home or a guest finding employment she enjoys.
 
“It gives us the chills to see the change in people when they have less fear and have someone to support their mental health,” Bray says. 

Supporting the Mission

When a nonprofit is providing emergency services, they need a banker they can count on in a pinch. Bray applauds her bankers who she can call or text whenever she has a need or question. 

“I love that I can reach them anytime. Between Rob and Kelly, they make it happen,” Bray says.

SouthState handles First Light’s deposit accounts, provides treasury management and offers financial guidance to ensure the nonprofit is sustainable for decades to come.

SouthState bankers also volunteer to serve meals and package baskets of necessities for the guests. Regional President Patrick Carlton says it’s a no-brainer to personally support the mission of First Light by volunteering his time.

“Fifty-nine percent of Americans are just a paycheck away from being homeless themselves. When you look at the numbers ... this makes organizations like First Light vital to the communities they serve,” Carlton says.

To join SouthState in volunteering at First Light, visit their website.