Survival Business Thriving in Fayetteville

Surviving in our ever changing world can be challenging for anyone, but those without job, money management or parenting skills often find themselves in more trouble than they can handle.

One Fayetteville woman knows that trouble first hand and is working to make a difference by helping other women prosper.

The boarded up streets of any downtown can mask the toughness of life on the street. It's a life Donna Morgan knew all too well and, in a donated space on a similar Fayettevile street, women are learning how to find good jobs, be better moms, and make ends meet.

Morgan was a heroine addict for 20 years, but now, she says, she's using what her life taught her in a class called "Survival Skills for Women".

More than 300-women from all walks of life come to get help in school, jobs, and in learning to manage their homes. Gabrielle Dumpson has been through Morgan's training. She says she learned how to manage her money.

Karen Culbreth also went through the training. She says a good job is now a real possibility for her.

After 30 hours of educational training and 30 hours of survival training the women head back home. For some, that means back to the streets. For others, it's a real home and, maybe for the first time, a real job. All the women face the same pressures they did before, but now they're armed with new tools for survival.

Morgan has walked the rough road but she says it's what's helped her help others.

The Fayettville survival classes are supported by government grants and donations. They are open to any woman who is interested. For more information call the Fayettville Women's Center at 910-323-3377.

Photographer:Mark Copeland