RED SPRINGS — A local center where female victims of domestic abuse or homelessness can find help and shelter opened earlier this month.

Janeth’s Center for Women In Crisis Inc., a nonprofit located at 135 N. Main St., in Red Springs, offers health care, counseling, mentoring and other services aimed at assisting women in crisis, according to the center’s executive director, Barbara Porter Deese. The focus, she said, is female inmates being released from prison.

“Inmates especially need assistance in returning to the community,” Deese said.

Deese said that there are currently three females housed at the center. Two are homeless, and the third is a recently released prison inmate.

According to a statement, the nonprofit is partnering with other Social Services agencies to provide the services that will help women in crisis situations regain their self -confidence and self-esteem, as well as become self-sufficient. The overall goal of the center, the statement continues, is to assist the women until they can begin school or find employment.

Deese said that she is seeking grants and donations to fund the transitional house and provide staff for the center. In addition to Deese, the center has one other staff member.

“Any donations of money, furniture or anything else would be greatly appreciated,” Deese said.

Deese said that for the past eight years she administered a housing program for the N.C. Indian Housing Authority in Fayetteville.

“I’ve dealt with women on a daily basis for years,” she said.

Deese said that for years she has wanted to establish a center to help women dealing in crisis situations, especially prison inmates returning to the community. The center is named in memory of her sister Janeth, who was murdered 30 years ago.

“She (Janeth) was beaten, raped and shot seven times in the back,” Deese said.

Anyone interested in donating to the center, or is in need of the center’s services, can call Deese at 910-802-7794.

Reach staff writer Bob Shiles at 910-272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.