Woman Who Helped Hundreds Of Homeless Women In Their Darkest Hour Recognized

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Kim Carter comes to work each day on a crusade to help homeless women and children reclaim their lives.

"Our goal is to have a thriving community, to have a place where our children can thrive and a home where children can have sweet dreams at night," said Carter, who is one of a select few to be honored with a CNN Hero award.

It's a cause that hits especially close to home for Carter who grew up, she says, surrounded by drugs and crime.

It wasn't long before she found herself cycling through prison, prostitution, and homelessness until the day she said "enough" and started picking up the pieces.

"I'm not afraid to show the scars and pain that I've went through because I know it's made me stronger. They get to say, 'Hey if she can do it, I can do it too,' " she said.

Carter decided no one else should have to go through the same turmoil alone and started the Time for Change Foundation, providing housing, counseling, and job training to women like Nicole Wolfe, who didn't know what to do after spending 17 years in jail.

"They made sure that I had a home. They made sure that I had clothes to wear and food to eat. They made sure that I had someone with me when things were too overwhelming," Wolfe said.

So far, 850 women have turned to Carter for help in their darkest hour.

Despite all that she's already accomplished, Carter says she's determined to do even more.

She built permanent affordable housing in San Bernardino for women ready to take the next step and says it's just the beginning.

Carter hopes to build another affordable housing complex soon so she can help even more homeless women and children.