Old Savannah City Mission holding 5K to fundraise for new women’s shelter

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Old Savannah City Mission is launching a new initiative to make sure unhoused women and children in the Hostess City have a place to call home each night.

The organization is raising money to build a new women and children’s shelter to support the underserved and often overlooked community.

To help reach its goal, the mission hosting the Run for Her 5K on Saturday Sept. 13.

“There are just as many, if not more, women that are homeless then there are men that are homeless,” Keith Picklesimer, the mission’s development director said.

Mission leaders say having a designated, standalone shelter will help women and their children feel more comfortable, while breaking down barriers that may otherwise prevent unhoused residents from seeking help.

“There is a need - a great need - for a place for women to be able to live comfortably and without fear,” Picklesimer said. “When they stay without fear and their children can be right there with them, that makes it better.”

Picklesimer said the new women’s shelter would also provide a place where children could stay while their mothers could look for work, save money and ultimately transition to independent living.

The City Mission hopes to draw more than 100 runners to lace up for a good cause. They have a goal of raising $200,000, with a donor pledging to match all proceeds.

Residents can sign up for the 5K online or on-site the morning of the race at 7 a.m. Saturday. The run/walk begins at 9 a.m. outside the Old Savannah City Mission.