Hearth Homes, a Spokane Valley-based nonprofit that provides safe housing and life skills for homeless, abused, or economically challenged women with children, has received a donation of $125,000 to buy a house next door to its existing six-bedroom residence.

With both Spokane Valley properties, the nonprofit will have room for a total of 11 families. For the safety of its residents, the organization declines to disclose the precise locations of the homes. However, its offices are located inside the Spokane Valley Partners building, at 10814 E. Broadway, and the two homes are near there.

Founder Karen Fournier says she is looking for donors to help fund and complete the remodel of the second home, which also has six bedrooms, and prepare it so that families can move in by the end of July. The nonprofit also has room for a joint garden on the combined home lots, which total one acre.

Hearth Homes started with one house in 2003 and opened a second house in 2009. However, it had to shut down the first home in early 2010 because of the cost of utilities.

Hearth Homes teaches budgeting, nutrition, cooking, and parenting tips. The women also have Bible studies and receive help through an abuse recovery ministry.