The Lovelady Center, a Christian organization in Birmingham that has helped thousands of women battling addictions, poverty, legal problems, and other difficult circumstances, is receiving $2 million in federal funding, Congresswoman Terri Sewell announced today.

Sewell made the announcement after a tour of The Lovelady Center with founder Brenda Lovelady Spahn. The center provides housing, counseling, education, job readiness training, legal assistance, and other services. The center will use the federal funds to rehabilitate two dormitories that each house 30 women, according to Sewell’s office.

“By providing food, a safe place to stay, and spiritual guidance, the Lovelady Center has played a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and getting our most vulnerable women reintegrated into society,” Sewell said. “I am thrilled to have secured $2 million to help rehabilitate the center’s dormitories so that they can continue their critical work. My team and I worked diligently to ensure that money for this project was included in the annual government funding bill so that we can make our community safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

Sewell, a Democrat who is in her seventh term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, helped secure the funding for The Lovelady Center as part of the omnibus funding package for fiscal year 2023. Sewell is a member of the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House.

The Lovelady Center helps women with a variety of challenges. Some are reentering society after being in jail or prison. Some are sent by judges or referred by parole or probation officers. Some make their own decisions to come after recognizing their need for help. The center is on Second Avenue South in a building that was once East End Memorial Hospital.

“We are so honored to receive this funding to rehabilitate our 96-year-old facility,” Frank Long, Director of External Affairs at the Lovelady Center, said. “It means so much to us and the women we serve to have our Congresswoman support the Lovelady Center that has transformed the lives of thousands of women. Since its founding in 2005 we have helped over 14,000 women and 4,000 children and we know that this funding is a critical part of our dedication to long term recovery. Ultimately we are so honored she would think of us.”

The $2 million for The Lovelady Center is part of $42.8 million for projects in the 7th District that Sewell helped obtain as part of the omnibus funding bill.