If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)
A human can not survive off of well wishes, thoughts, and prayers. Attending a church service will not feed a hungry child, and reading the Bible will not shelter a woman without a home. However, the word of God can inspire and move people to do amazing things. The Bible not only gives the guidance to serve the community but the strength to take extraordinary action. A women’s Bible study in Eddyville, Kentucky, was empowered to do more for their community. They began a monthly group called Women Helping Women. They hosted a lunch with a guest speaker and provided child care, completely free of charge. They not only served women, but they ate with them and listened to their stories.
One day, Judy Driggers, one of the founders of this group, invited an attendee to come back for the next lunch. The woman explained that she would not have transportation. Judy offered to pick her up and asked for her address. It was at this moment when Judy learned that the woman did not have a home. The need became clear; Lyon county needed a place for these women. A place where they could heal, grow and get back on their feet. This was the start of Nonnie’s Place.
Judy began researching shelters and determining what would best serve their community. They had the plans drawn up, bringing the vision to life. These plans gave substance to potential donors. It was also time to give it a name. Judy knew in her heart that it should be named after her mother, Lois “Nonnie” Smith. Nonnie’s selfless nature and unconditional love touched the hearts of so many. She would have opened her own home to those in need, so it was only fitting to name the women’s home “Nonnie’s Place.”
They decided to display the plans for Nonnie’s Place at the Eddyville founder’s day celebration. They were accepting donations and promoting the mission to the community. A passerby stopped and felt inspired. She offered up two acres of her land to build the property. This would become the home of Nonnie’s Place. The generosity of others has carried Nonnie’s place since the beginning. Community members donated their time, materials, and labor to construct the home. Donations furnished the home and filled it with supplies for the women and children.
In September of 2017, the doors of Nonnie’s Place officially opened. It wasn’t long before every bed was filled, and lives began changing. One of the very first women came to them with absolutely nothing. She had two young boys and could not afford to feed them. Nonnie’s Place provided her with everything she could need; clothes, food, toys, transportation for employment, and even helped with applying for government assistance. She is now one of their biggest success stories, living in her own three-bedroom apartment with a stable career. Nonnie’s Place has strict rules to help their women be as successful as possible. Including no drugs, alcohol, or men, and the residents must be actively searching for a job. They attend church on Sunday, participate in activities together, and receive coaching on life and budgeting.
The Shelter Director, Tina Cochrum, supports the women from every angle. Tina has a degree in Business and Human Services and even wrote her Master’s Thesis on the need for a place for women and children in Lyon County before Nonnie’s Place was ever conceived. Tina lives in the cottage next to the house and is actively involved in the lives of the families residing there. While the stay is typically three to four months, the effects of living at Nonnie’s Place will last for generations. Women are not only having their lives transformed, but they are also able to offer a new life for their children and grandchildren. Judy explains how the entire community is blessed by these women. She gets emotional sharing the story of one woman that was moving out of the house and into her own place. Before she left, she gifted her car to a woman that was moving in, simply stating, “They helped me, so it is my time to return the favor.” These families are changed forever by the kindness offered to them at Nonnie’s Place.
Past residents are invited back every Christmas for a big celebration and dinner. All of the children have their name on an ornament and receive toys. Judy describes how moving it is watching all of the kids open their presents at the same time. Laughter and smiles fill the air.
This kind of mission requires a great deal of fundraising and support. Each year, they have several large events to raise money, including a fashion show hosted by Chicos, a baseball tournament hosted by Post 68, a golf tournament, a fish fry, and a poker run. They also receive support from churches and community members. As people witness the difference Nonnie’s Place is making, they become eager to help. The house ended up receiving so many furniture donations that they filled up two storage units. Judy was about to refuse a donation when she had the idea to sell some of the furniture. This was so successful that she opened Nonnie’s Attic, a gently used home goods store supplied by donations. All proceeds go towards operating expenses and programming for Nonnie’s Place. It is these efforts that allow Nonnie’s Place to have such a profound impact on the community.
Nonnie’s Place has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a community room, a kitchen, and a playground. It can house up to fourteen women and children. Donations have funded a covered patio, storage shed and allowed them to pave the driveway. Nonnie’s Place believes that every person is a child of God and deserves to be treated with courtesy, love, and respect. For more information or to help further the mission of Nonnie’s Place, visit https://www.nonniesplaceeddyville.com/ or contact Judy Driggers at judy.driggers@gmail.com.
