MILWAUKEE - On Milwaukee’s east side, women enter a place of hope: St. Catherine residence, a refuge for women needing safe affordable housing.

“It’s very good Carole, to know that we are providing an essential,”

At St. Catherine residence, ladies from diverse backgrounds get support from the staff and each other.

From making a salad…to sharing stories, many there are like Gennie Randle and Valerie Yelk are recovering from a painful past.

"I found myself homeless without a job by coming here I grew tremendously,” Gennie Randle said.

"I came from an abusive background. I had a lot of weights and pains that I was kind of running from,” Valerie Yelk said.

St. Catherine has served 10,000 women over the past 42 years, and most importantly they have become productive members of society.

While living there, ladies must set personal and professional goals, and work at least 20 hours a week.

“This really is community. There really are 140 women living in this building. They are strangers to each other, and they get along,” St. Catherine Residence President and Executive Director Lynne Oehlke said.

Right now, St. Catherine is adding a new wing. The McCauley Apartments will allow St. Catherine to serve fifty more women.

TODAY’S TMJ4’s Carole Meekins: “How has St. Catherine helped you grow as a person?”

“I take pride in myself. I take pride in my work. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about everybody that's around me,” Gennie Ranle said.

“I have a passion to let women know that they don’t have to be bound by their past. That they can have a new life and an awesome future ahead of them,” Valerie Yelk said.

Thanks to St. Catherine, women who almost gave up are ready to face life with new positive dreams.

“It’s never hopeless. It’s all about determination...about what they want to do,” Gennie Randle said.

“It’s awesome to know that there is hope out there and you can change from your past and your past does not have to dictate your future,” Valerie Yelk said.

"St. Catherine has taught me accountability, responsibility also confidence,” Valerie Yelk said.