“I grew up in Warrior, Alabama. My dad was killed when I was eight years old and my mom lost herself. I lived with my grandparents and other family members, but it wasn’t always a good situation. I got married when I was 17 and had three children early, but my husband was toxic and abusive. I got a divorce when I was 22 and moved with my daughters to Bon Secour. I didn’t know anyone, but I met some amazing people at church who helped me through. They didn’t have to give me their kindness, and I said one day I would give it back. 

I was a single mom making too much money to get government help but not enough to pay the bills. The one time I asked for government help, they embarrassed me so badly that I never did it again. I worked three jobs: I was a corporate manager, then worked at a gas station at night, and went to the Coke plant at 3 a.m. There was little time for sleep, but it didn’t matter because I had to take care of my kids. I didn’t get child support because their father was in a different county, and no one went after him. 

Nobody knew I struggled. I just worked and worked and worked. That struggle made me stronger and more understanding.

Life turned around. I married a good man who was also a single parent. We are a good team, and the Lord provides for us. We saved money, built a house, and had money to invest. We planned on buying a rental house, but three years ago the Lord lay on my heart to buy a laundromat in Robertsdale and to serve Him there. I don’t like doing laundry and didn’t want to buy a laundromat, but I finally gave in.

We bought the laundromat and immediately saw the needs of our community. There are a lot of people in Baldwin County who are barely getting by. We started a food and diaper ministry because I was once in these women’s shoes and relate with what they are going through.

Hurricane Sally brought in people with soiled and mildewed clothes that our machines couldn’t handle. We gave away a few new outfits, then my friends donated clothes. We set up a clothes rack outside the laundry.

People kept coming. The Lord said it was time for a Blessing Barn, so we put a small barn behind the laundromat with a clothes and food pantry. People drop off donations or come inside and get what they need. 

This is more than a laundromat. Our customers trust us because we love them through their problems. When it is hot, we give out popsicles. When it is cold, we give out hot chocolate. Sometimes people just need a little love to pick them up and know that things will get better. 

A gentleman came here after he was released from prison. He had tattoos all over his body, but he was loved and accepted the moment he walked in our door. He has been out for a year and has a good job and a nice car. He went from thinking he would never be free and constantly looking down to believing in himself and looking straight ahead. His son died a few months ago, and the laundromat was the first place he came. We are community and family. 

The homeless come here, and we have something for them to eat at all times. They can charge their phones and use our wi-fi or give our address for job applications. We provide emergency food and give out BRATS bus passes to help with transportation to doctor’s appointments.

Folks coming here have gone to jail or have been through domestic violence. They are single moms or grandparents raising grandkids. Lately we have seen a lot more single dads and elderly because rent has gone up so much. 

Our nonprofit is Baldwin County Angels, and we have great volunteers. This year we were supposed to be doing angel tree Christmas gifts for 70 teenagers, but our list of kids keeps growing. We also do Easter for kids every year and have spring break and summer feeding programs. We work with churches to provide school supplies and uniforms. This barn is community, and we want youth groups or anyone to volunteer or bring dinner and see what happens here.

I have learned that when you see a need, fill it. People are lost out here and don’t feel loved. But it takes just a tiny glimmer of hope and kindness to turn lives around. It can happen anywhere, even in a laundromat.”

Alicia

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Alicia’s story is a part of a series about the Weavers—people stitching our communities together, solving problems, and showing how to care for our neighbors. Send a message to Our Southern Souls to suggest a Weaver from your community to be featured on Souls.