Two women, both mothers in need of healing, have bonded at the start of a long journey toward recovery. They’re doing it from the refuge of the new Union Gospel Mission Center for Women and Children in Coeur d’Alene. Jan Bates, 48, is recovering from a traumatic marriage. Anjelique Mader, 40, has battled prescription drug addiction and is four months sober. They arrived at the faith-based residential center soon after it opened three weeks ago, and they’ll spend up to two years there putting their lives back together. “Living with these women and sharing our hearts and our lives the way we have, we’ve developed very strong connections,” Bates said/Scott Maben, SR. More here. (Kathy Plonka's SR photo: Jan Bates, right, points to a cross made of nailes and tells Union Gospel Mission director JoAnn Zajicek: "This is why we're here.")

Question: What are your thoughts of the Union Gospel Mission opening a center for women and children in Coeur d'Alene?