At an hour when most of Springfield was fast asleep, Safe to Sleep Director Kelly Harris was on the road, driving a shelter guest to the bus station so she wouldn’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime. It was 3 a.m., and the woman—determined to change her future—was on her way to Nashville, Tennessee, to begin CDL training.
But the journey nearly ended before it began.
When an overnight volunteer is unable to make it for their shift, Safe to Sleep Director Kelly Harris often finds herself filling in the gap – even after a full day at CCO offices. Last week, Kelly was called in at 10 pm on Saturday night. Unfortunately, the message that one guest needed a pre-dawn wake-up call didn’t get relayed. Miraculously, this guest woke up on her own, only to realize she was out of time. In a panic, she called a cab, but when it became clear that the delay would cause her to miss her bus, she was devastated.
That’s when Kelly Harris stepped in.
Dedicated to her calling to help our guests find their way with dignity and compassion, Kelly jumped into action without hesitation. Instead of letting the woman’s dream slip away over a scheduling mishap, Kelly grabbed her keys and drove her to the bus station herself—ensuring she made it in time to board the bus and start this new chapter.
“This is what we do,” said Harris. “We meet women where they are and help them take the next step forward. Sometimes that means a warm bed for the night, and sometimes that means a ride to the bus station in the middle of the night—because their future depends on it.”
Had it come to it, Kelly would have driven her all the way to Nashville. That’s the kind of dedication Safe to Sleep embodies—going the extra mile, literally and figuratively, to make sure no woman is left without hope or opportunity.
Every night, up to 50 women find safety, dignity, and support at Safe to Sleep. Some stay for a night. Others, like this determined future truck driver, stay a little longer, working toward a better future with the help of compassionate staff and volunteers.
As Safe to Sleep continues its mission, stories like this remind us why a permanent home for the shelter is so critical. A safe place to land can make all the difference—not just for a night, but for a lifetime.
If you’d like to support Safe to Sleep in providing stability and hope for women in need, donate here.