Homelessness is a devastating experience for anyone, but the hardship is compounded when children are involved. Hoping to minister to these families, Rita Whitaker founded the nonprofit Life Turning Point (LTP) in 2019 as a transitional home for mothers and children who need somewhere to live.

For the staff and residents at Life Turning Point, their building on Wayne Avenue in Germantown is not a shelter. Instead, they prefer the term “home.” 

“My joy is hearing the moms speak of LTP as home,” writes Whitaker on the organization’s website. “Hearing them tell their kids, ‘We’re home!’ when they walk in the door. Or when they call the office and say, ‘I’m on my way home.’”

Based on the Bible

Life Turning Point was established with a biblical foundation, but according to Joan Mkandawire, development coordinator at LTP, mothers accepted to the program do not need to be Christians. However, they do need to be open-minded to hearing about religious messages.

“Anything that falls under our programming is mainly drawn from the Bible … We focus on life skills, financial management, self-care, and just a holistic approach on how they can better their lives moving forward,” Mkandawire said in an interview with the Local. “You don’t have to be a Christian, but you do have to be open.”

A lot of the classes and counseling sessions offered at LTP are centered around the Gospels and Proverbs. For example, Mkandawire finds Proverbs 31 to be a practical and timeless guide to running a home.

“In the Book of Proverbs, it talks about the diligent woman who wakes up early before the rest of the household to get a head start on the day,” Mkandawire said. “She’s not waiting by with folded arms, but she’s out there being a girlboss, to use a term from today.”

To emulate this age-old wisdom, women at LTP wake up at 5 a.m. They prepare themselves and their children for the day ahead, going through both dress checks and room checks to ensure they look presentable. Easing into the day without feeling rushed creates structure and balance for the women at LTP. Mkandawire said she was inspired to adopt this early-morning routine in her own life, and found it a a drastic improvement that gave her a real sense of order. 

A family atmosphere

After an application and intake process, mothers and children at Life Turning Point typically stay at the house for 18 months or fewer. Every woman comes with a different set of circumstances, but throughout their time at the house they are expected to look for employment, save a portion of their income towards permanent housing, and participate in LTP’s programs. Once their time at LTP is completed, the women enjoy a graduation ceremony.

A maximum of 10 families live in LTP’s house at one time, along with a mix of full-time and part-time staff. There is always at least one staff member at the house.

Women at LTP are given their own private rooms and share a bathroom with one other family. If the children at LTP are too young to attend school, staff members provide childcare during the day while the women are at work or school. Mkandawire said these amenities that may seem normal to some — even having a mailing address — make a huge difference in residents’ lives.

A less tangible element of LTP that Mkandawire emphasized is the feeling of serenity in the house she first noticed when hired.

“When I walked into the doors, there was a sense of peace,” Mkandawire said. “[The residents] are always goofing around and laughing. This is home.”

Reaching a turning point

Life Turning Point promotes self-sufficiency and the breaking of negative generational cycles. According to Mkandawire, the organization sees great success in this mission. Although LTP welcomes women back if needed, there has not been an instance in which someone had to return.

“Upon graduation, 99 percent of the time they have already secured permanent housing,” Mkandawire said. “One resident … saved enough money to put a down payment toward a property they could call their own home.”

The success stories from LTP vary; women have earned master’s degrees, escaped abusive relationships, and secured stable housing. One graduate even gave birth to a boy at Life Turning Point and shortly after found an apartment.

“There’s a lot of stories … where women have taken control of their narrative,” Mkandawire said. “Not only stability and safety … but they’re also creating communities. Even after they graduate, they still want to keep in touch with the other families … They create sisterhood and community and then they go out and do great things.”

To learn more information or donate to Life Turning Point, visit ltpphilly.org.