FRESH START

King’s Home’s mission is to help residents regain their footing and to restore their hope in the process.

For women escaping domestic violence, having a job, buying a car and providing for themselves and their children are milestones they can reach at King’s Home.

Women who work at Prodigal Pottery, for example, are required to save 75 percent of their income, giving them a solid financial foundation for when they leave the home.

Residents are encouraged to remain as much a part of the community as they can while they live at the home.

Children attend public schools, and residents may attend worship services at area churches.

“We’re going to plant eternal seeds every day,” Burdette said. “We respect whatever anybody’s religious values are. Each home chooses to worship where they want to worship.”

In addition, homes start each day with prayer and devotion. Burdette emphasized that the King’s Home staff does not pressure residents to worship in a certain way or to adopt certain beliefs.

“We don’t save anybody; God does that,” Burdette said. “We know that we’ve pointed them in a positive direction.”

One of the biggest roles Burdette and his staff fill is a supportive role for residents as they navigate the road back to normalcy.

For Burdette, the role is what his past experiences prepared him to fill, long before he knew God would plant him at King’s Home.

“As a teen, I took life for granted,” Burdette said. “Life is fragile. I encourage our kids to make the most out of every minute. Live life to the fullest. Don’t ever give up.”