Helen’s House: A Safe Place for Women & Children
Opened in 2024 and named in honor of Helen Ellison, one of the original founders of CITA Rescue Mission, Helen’s House is the first phase of our Women & Children’s Center — a safe residential program designed to restore dignity, stability, and hope for mothers and their children.
Across Florida, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population is women with children. Nearly 85% of homeless families are led by mothers, and more than half of their children are under the age of five — making safe, stable shelter for families more critical than ever.
We serve women facing crisis — including those impacted by domestic violence, addiction, and other destabilizing circumstances — offering trauma-informed, Christ-centered care that supports healing, growth, and long-term independence.
A Foundation for Safety and Stability
Helen’s House is a safe, nurturing residential program for women and their children seeking stability and a fresh start — including those impacted by domestic violence, addiction, and other life-disrupting circumstances.
Here, women find compassionate, trauma-informed, faith-based care designed to restore dignity and build long-term independence for the entire family.
Real life. Real healing. Real community.
These moments are what restoration looks like — women rebuilding, kids thriving, and families finding safety and stability in a place that feels like home.
At Helen’s House, we don’t just provide shelter — we walk with women and children through faith-based restoration, because Christ is the Answer for lasting change.
Women gather for structure, encouragement, and Christ-centered steps forward.
Connection and belonging are part of healing.
We celebrate milestones and new beginnings.
A safe environment for mothers to care for their children.
Building confidence through healthy routines and practical skills.
How the Program Works
Every woman who comes to Helen’s House has a different story. Some arrive alone. Some arrive with children. All arrive needing safety, stability, and hope. We walk with each woman step by step — meeting immediate needs first, then helping her rebuild a strong and steady future.
Our care is practical, structured, and deeply personal — because Christ Is The Answer for lasting transformation. We serve with compassion, speak truth with love, and help each woman move forward with dignity.
Safe Arrival
A safe place to land. We provide secure shelter, essential needs, and a caring intake process so each woman can breathe, feel protected, and begin again.
Stabilize
Stability starts with structure. Through case management, consistent routines, and supportive accountability, women begin to regain clarity, confidence, and direction.
Strengthen
Growth takes root here. We focus on life skills, employment preparation, personal responsibility, and healthy community — while encouraging spiritual renewal through Christ-centered guidance.
Transition
As women prepare for independent living, we help them move forward with practical planning, continued support, and a stronger foundation for long-term stability.
What Kids Need to Heal and Thrive
Kids shouldn’t have to carry the weight of adult problems. When families enter crisis, children feel the fear, the instability, and the unknown — often without the words to explain it. At Helen’s House, we create a safe, steady environment where kids can breathe again, play again, and begin to heal.
We don’t just care for children’s needs — we care for their hearts. Through consistent love, healthy adults, and intentional discipleship, we help children see what’s true: they are valued, they are not alone, and Jesus loves them.
- Safe play spaces where laughter can return.
- Consistent routines that bring structure, calm, and stability.
- School coordination so learning stays steady even in a hard season.
- Joy and celebration — because birthdays and milestones matter.
- Mentors and volunteers who offer encouragement and godly example.
Your support helps create the kind of environment where a child can feel safe, experience steady love, and grow in Christ.
When a Woman Finds Safety, Everything Can Change
These are the kinds of words we hear when women finally have a safe place to breathe again — and a real opportunity to rebuild their lives with support, structure, and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
“Now I can sleep peacefully at night — I’m no longer in fight-or-flight.”
A steady bed. A safe environment. A nervous system finally allowed to rest.
“I have a support system here that I have never experienced.”
Women aren’t meant to rebuild alone. Healthy community changes everything.
“I never imagined the Bible as part of my everyday life… I understand it now.”
Discipleship isn’t a slogan here — it’s a daily, lived reality.
“I know now that I am loved deeply by God — and He has purpose for my life.”
Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s anchored in Christ and lived out step by step.
Do You Need Help?
You are not alone. If you’re a woman—with or without children—and you’re facing homelessness, addiction, or an unsafe situation, we can talk through what’s happening and help you figure out the next right step.
- A safe place to start, with caring staff who will listen without judgment
- Practical help with shelter, essentials, and guidance for next steps
- Christ-centered support focused on healing, stability, and a new beginning
How You Can Help
When a mom and her children arrive at CITA, they’re not looking for a “program” first—they’re looking for safety, stability, and someone who cares. Your support helps provide the basics today and the steady, Christ-centered help families need to rebuild for the long haul.