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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHowever, life had other, more affordable plans \u2014 she began working in cosmetology. And although she wasn\u2019t a counselor or a clinical psychologist, she could still touch lives and lend an ear.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI realized that I was counseling people for years without a degree, but I poured from my heart,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s evident upon meeting her that Hill has a lot of compassion to spare. Knowing this, people around her suggested she begin volunteering at shelters. Hill\u2019s career took a pivotal turn when she crossed paths with Shepherd\u2019s House. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Volunteering at the women-only shelter, she realized her true calling: helping women find their footing amid life\u2019s challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat pulled me in was the hurt inside of people that leads them to their breaking point,\u201d Amy reflected on her initial conversations with the women at Shepherd\u2019s House. \u201cI could have been any of these girls, if I\u2019m going to be honest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hill had a son pass away, and she had talked people through affairs, divorces, death, and chronic illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI had something to talk to them about,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I loved to give them a moment to where they could just breathe.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n That, after all, is what Shepherd\u2019s House is all about \u2014 giving women a safe space to catch their breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt really validated that that is what I wanted to do in life,\u201d Hill said. \u201cAnd I was happy with just doing that. And then one day, I got a phone call and asked if I was interested in taking the directorship.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before she knew it, she was leaving behind the hair scissors and taking on a houseful of women who needed someone like her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Residents of Shepherd\u2019s House embark on a journey of self-improvement, learning valuable life skills, seeking counseling, and participating in mandatory classes. Some participate in Celebrate Recovery to address substance abuse issues. Some are just there to save up enough money to move into the next chapter of their lives. Many of the women have children who live at the shelter with them. Some are in the midst of parenting classes or custody battles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shepherd\u2019s House doesn\u2019t have the resources to provide childcare, so while some kids stay at the shelter, mothers are responsible for finding care for them during the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s a hard situation,\u201d Hill said of the women who are trying to find support for themselves and their children. \u201cIt breaks my heart because some of these women are working all they can, but because of their situation, it limits them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the road to recovery is often challenging, Hill\u2019s philosophy is clear: \u201cI\u2019m looking for that woman who just needs a moment\u2026 just needs someone to understand them, give them a hand up, give them some resources, and be there for them and support them while they can just get back on their feet.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n A typical day at Shepherd\u2019s House mirrors the rhythm of any other home. Residents have daily chores, prepare meals together, and participate in counseling sessions and classes. Their schedules are built around work and personal development, ensuring each woman gains the tools she needs to succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The shared responsibilities and routines foster community, empowering each resident to contribute meaningfully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, Shepherd\u2019s House has plans to expand its impact. A larger facility is on the horizon, intending to accommodate 20 to 25 women, allowing even more individuals to access the support they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven for those who come in and leave never meeting their goals or leave without tangible success, my biggest hope for them is while living at Shepherd\u2019s House, these women can feel much-needed peace, learn information, obtain resources, and above all, receive healing,\u201d Hill said. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IN TULLAHOMA, the Shepherd\u2019s House stands as a beacon of hope for women and children seeking a fresh start. Amy Hill is now at the helm of this transformative organization. She is a compassionate and relatively new executive director who admittedly had an unconventional start and whose heart beats for those in need.\u00a0 At Shepherd\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":20924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/11\/3-1024x683.png\")
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