COLUMBIA, SC (WLTX)- Oliver Gospel Mission president Wayne Fields calls them the "invisible homeless."
"They're easy to overlook," he said, "but God doesn't overlook them, and we're trying not to overlook them either."
He's talking about homeless mothers and their kids, a problem he says is often hidden.
"10 to 20 homeless women with children are turned away on average every day here in the Columbia area," Fields said, "where there's no where for them to go."
For the past few years, the mission has been raising funds to build a shelter for homeless women and children in the midlands.
"By the time they come to us they have no jobs, they're not connected with God, some of the women have children and they see no future for the children," he said. "So they're in a desperate, hopeless state."
They are still about $3 million shy of their $10 million goal.
The shelter will have skill building programs to help get the mothers back on their feet.
"We have a long term focus not merely a band aid approach," Fields said. "It does become a drain on society because they become dependent on government money, and that's taxpayer money, and we are trying to help them get off of that and take responsibility for their own lives."
With 6,500 families on the waiting list for housing in Richland County alone, Fields knows how much Toby's Place is needed.
"We cant afford to lose generations of people created in gods image, so were going to be making an effort with Tobys place to try and rescue some of these young people."
He says if nothing else, he hopes Toby's place will give homeless moms and their babies one thing.
" Hope," he said. "I don't mean wishful thinking, I mean hope for eternity."
To learn more about Toby's place and how to donate, visit their website here (http://www.olivergospelmission.org/tobys-place)
