Deborah’s House
From Relief to Restoration
Transformational Living: Independent living with a Circle of Support
Deborah’s House represents the next step in the mission of Bridge the Gap Lexington — creating a place where women rebuilding their lives can move from recovery toward long-term stability, independence, and restoration.
Five Years of Faithful Presence
Five years ago, Bridge the Gap Lexington was launched with a bold calling: to go to those in crisis and be a bridge between people and the hope, support and restoration God desires for them.
Through Mobile 926 outreach, we stepped directly into Lexington communities experiencing poverty, housing insecurity and addiction to bring relief. On street corners, in motel parking lots, and at recovery homes and shelters, we served hot meals, distributed clothing and hygiene supplies and offered prayer and friendship.
Relief opened the door. Consistent presence built trust.
As relationships deepened, we saw the vulnerability of women trapped in addiction, abuse and exploitation. Under His Wings was born — a focused outreach creating safe space, encouragement and compassionate support for women seeking freedom.
Through ongoing connection, resilience began to take root.
Later, after walking closely with adults in neighborhoods like Cardinal Valley, we recognized another need. If communities are to look different in ten years, we must invest in children now. Rise Youth Leadership was launched to bring fun, belonging and faith-centered mindset development to kids facing poverty and instability.
For five years we have faithfully shown up. We have mobilized churches and volunteers to pray, serve and give. We have connected individuals to detox, treatment, employment and housing resources.
Relief opened the door. Resilience strengthened the foundation.
Now God is inviting us to go deeper into restoration with the very friends we have been walking alongside.
The Gap We Cannot Ignore
Many women make courageous decisions to enter detox, complete treatment and begin rebuilding their lives. They secure employment, participate in sober living programs and take meaningful steps toward a different future.
But when those programs end and insurance runs out, many encounter a new barrier.
They encounter a housing market with few open doors.
Across Lexington, affordable rental housing has become increasingly scarce. A recent city housing analysis found that median monthly rent increased by 47% between 2019 and 2024, rising from roughly $800 to $1,200 per month, while the supply of housing affordable for lower-income residents declined.
Even women who are working and committed to recovery often struggle to find a landlord willing to give them a chance.
When structured programs end, the supportive environment that helped sustain their progress disappears.
This creates a critical gap between recovery and stability.
Without a safe place to land during this transition, many women are forced back into unstable environments that threaten the progress they have worked so hard to achieve.
Housing is not simply shelter. For a woman rebuilding her life, it represents stability, dignity, accountability and the space to continue growing.
This is the gap we are called to bridge.
The Opportunity: Deborah’s House
Deborah’s House is designed to provide that stable ground — a place where women can work, save, grow and prepare for long-term independence while connected to a healthy, supportive community.
A generous donor has offered to transfer a three-bedroom home to Bridge the Gap Lexington for the remaining $30,000 mortgage balance.
With approximately $60,000 in renovations, the home will become a safe, stable place where women can continue rebuilding their lives while preparing for long-term independent living.
Transitional
in function.
Transformational
in purpose.
This is not emergency shelter.
This is not traditional
sober living.
Deborah’s House is designed as the intentional middle ground between structured recovery programs and full independent housing. This home will be designed to serve as the intentional and stable middle ground between structured recovery programs and full independent housing. The home will serve women who have demonstrated commitment to recovery, secured or are securing employment and shown faithfulness in rebuilding their lives.
This is a
Circle of Support
Each woman will be surrounded by a Circle of Support — three individuals walking alongside her in relationship and encouragement.
Life Skills Coach
Guidance in budgeting, employment, communication and healthy daily rhythms.
Recovery Support Mentor
Connection to recovery community and accountability.
Spiritual Mentor
Prayer, encouragement and faith-centered mentorship.
The purpose
it not dependency.
The purpose is preparation.
Each resident will lease an individual room while sharing common living space. Residents will pay a modest program fee structured to create margin — allowing them to practice financial responsibility while building savings for their future.
Deborah’s House residents will:
Maintain employment
Build savings
Rebuild credit
Practice financial responsibility
Prepare for independent living
Opening Deborah’s House Debt-Free
To purchase and renovate Deborah’s House, Bridge the Gap Lexington must raise:
$30,000 — Acquisition of the home
$60,000 — Renovation and preparation
Opening the home debt-free allows the ministry to:
Keep program fees accessible
Protect residents’ savings goals
Select residents based on readiness rather than financial pressure
Debt-free means freedom — for the ministry and for the women we serve.
Deborah’s House
Partnership Opportunities
Opening Deborah’s House will require the generosity and partnership of many people.
Leadership Sponsorship Opportunities
Foundation Partner ($25,000)
Provides a cornerstone gift that helps establish Deborah’s House as a debt-free transformational living home and launch this new chapter of restoration.
Restoration Partner ($10,000)
Supports major renovation and system improvements that make the home safe and welcoming.
Stability Builder ($5,000)
Helps provide essential home improvements, equipment or appliances.
Restoration Builder ($2,500)
Supports key renovation and preparation work needed to open Deborah’s House to its first residents.
New Beginning Partner ($1,000)
Helps provide furnishings, supplies and move-in needs for residents.
Become a Circle of Support Monthly Partner
For those who want to support the long-term impact of Deborah’s House, Circle of Support Partners commit to a monthly gift.
Monthly partners help:
Fund the purchase and renovation of the home
Sustain mentoring and practical support
Provide transportation, program resources and everyday needs for residents
Monthly partners help ensure Deborah’s House remains a place of stability and restoration for years to come.
Additional Ways to Support Deborah’s House
Pray
Ask God to guide this vision and prepare the hearts of the women who will one day call Deborah’s House home.
Share the Vision
Introduce Deborah’s House to a church, business or friend who may want to partner.
Provide a Matching Gift
Multiply the generosity of others by offering a matching challenge.
Donate Skilled Services
Contribute renovation services at reduced or no cost.
Sponsor a Room or Living Space
Help furnish spaces that will become a home for residents.
Ways to Give
Give Online
Visit our donation page to set up a recurring monthly partnership or send a financial contribution. Please select Deborah’s House in the Fund dropdown box.
Give through Venmo
Find us on Venmo @BTGLex859
Donate through our
Facebook pageby clicking the Donate button
Become a Sponsor
Contact us to become a sponsor, donate services, or explore partnership opportunities:
Brandon Welch
859-940-4142
kybridgethegap@gmail.com
Mail a Gift
Bridge the Gap Lexington
PO Box 910302
Lexington, KY 40591