May 2026 Highlights
Quick recap! Everything at 431 comes back to three areas that we thrive at: Restoring Stability, Rebuilding Confidence and Renewing Hope. Every class, coaching conversation, practical service, and referral is designed to move women forward in these areas, with the goal of healing in every area of their lives.
Re:Storing Stability
When you think about commitments, how do you decide which ones to make and which ones to keep? For many of our women, the answer is based on emotions rather than on any kind of process.
Only 32% of women who reached out for help this year said they consistently follow through with commitments, but the why behind these challenges is heartbreaking.
Many of our ladies have been burned by previous commitments, making them wary of the very idea. Our Re:Store Commitments class taught that commitments are less scary than our clients believe them to be, and are really just about carving out time, money, or space for the things they want to do. They get to decide what is important, and can make informed commitment decisions based on safety, finances, planning, and communication. This belief alone can take a weight off of their shoulders as they consider future commitments.
Our ladies learned that practicing these life skills can be challenging at times, but can ultimately be rewarding, leading to: 1) a more peaceful, stress-free life; 2) higher quality work; 3) consistency with time frames; and 4) respect and trust from others through open and honest communication.
Re:Building Confidence
After the Re:Store Commitments class, our ladies were blessed to have Jake volunteer with us to share his knowledge. He focused on the auto basics to help maintain and practice preventative measures for vehicles. The session included changing a tire, battery jumping, checking tire air pressure, and checking the various fluids to maintain a safe riding auto. This was a wonderful hands-on “you can do it” session that helped the ladies build confidence that they too, could handle many aspects of their own car maintenance.
Re:Newing Hope
In May, 431 celebrated another Side-by-Side Graduation in our Columbia office! When Hope first came to 431, she would walk into class and rush out as soon as it was over.
No conversations.
No eye contact.
No letting people in.
Definitely no vulnerability.
At her graduation, Hope herself reflected on just how much has changed.
She shared about a time when something as simple as walking into Lowe’s felt impossible. After a difficult season, she found herself overwhelmed in the middle of the store, unable to finish what she came to do, and back in her car in tears.
Recently, she found herself sitting in that same parking lot, recognizing how far she had come and the growth she’s experienced.
Growth that looks like walking into places that used to feel impossible.
Growth that looks like facing your finances instead of avoiding them, and maintaining stable employment and housing because of it.
Growth that looks like opening up to community and realizing you don’t have to walk alone.
Growth that looks like recognizing your own progress, even when celebrating yourself still feels hard.
Hope’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a woman is surrounded by support, encouragement, truth, practical tools, and a community willing to keep showing up.
Finally, the Re:New Emotional Health series wrapped up in May. During the final class, the class attendees were encouraged to write down the expectations that they’ve clung to and planted them in a pot of wildflowers. This uniquely symbolized the surrender that God calls us to, and the beauty that He brings out of the ashes, every time.
One of them shared:
“I had never thought about grief as something that could be shared with someone else. [The class] helped me realize that I don’t have to hold things in. I can be honest… with God… and He will meet me where I’m at.”
This is what it’s about for the team at 431. Teaching women to be honest, build community, grow in resourcefulness, and be confident in their stability. Because they have the tools for anything that comes.
