Rising Above: First ‘Wall of Love’ in West Virginia set up in Charleston

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – An Ohio woman’s mission of spreading love without stigma is making its way across the country. Their newest destination: Charleston, West Virginia.

“This is the first wall in West Virginia,” said Beth Jarvis, a volunteer with the non-profit “Walls of Love.” “We’re here to hope to spread the love and catch on and continue to spread the love here in West Virginia.”

Holly Jackson, a domestic violence survivor, was once pregnant and homeless. Through her initiative called “Walls of Love,” she’s now showing others facing similar situations, that there is hope.

“I am a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor and at one point in time in my life, I was homeless because I chose to finally leave a very toxic and unsafe situation,” she said. “It’s not just women out there, it’s men, it’s the elderly, it’s children, so we don’t want to leave any of those demographics out when it comes to domestic violence and assault, the same thing with homelessness.”

Back in 2018, the first wall of love was erected in Jackson’s community, Cleveland, OH. Over the years, their mission has spread across the country, reaching 33 states, including Kentucky and now West Virginia.

Here’s how it works: Items like shampoo, socks and even diapers are packaged in plastic bags, and then hung up on fences. From there, anyone, no matter their situation, can grab what they need.

“We try to make things convenient for those who come to the wall to be able to grab and go with the items they’re in need of and be discreet about it as well,” Jarvis said. “You’re here for a second, you take what you need and give when you can.”

In August, “Walls of Love” volunteers partnered with the YWCA Charleston to create a wall of love outside the YWCA’s Past and Present Gently Used Clothing Store in Charleston on Lee Street.

Kyla Nichols, the Chief Executive Officer for YWCA Charleston, said it was a perfect fit because the organizations’ missions aligned.

“We always like to say that it’s kind of like believable hope … that you’re seeing someone that’s in a situation so similar to yours and you’re seeing that they’re strong, and they’re surviving and they’re overcoming this and it gives you that believable hope that you can overcome this too,” said Nichols.

For Jackson, it’s also about advocating for those in need, and making sure no one falls through the cracks like she did so many years ago.

Having overcome her share of adversities, she offers her advice to anyone experiencing a similar situation: “Breathe positivity, breathe life into them, because sometimes that moment, it really is a life-or-death moment, and it takes a lot of strength and a lot of courage,” she said.

“Walls of Love” is hoping to reach all 50 states by the end of next year. Volunteers also said they’re working to plan another wall of love in Charleston come this November.

Anyone interested in partaking in the “Walls of Love” initiative can get involved by sponsoring a wall, volunteering or making a donation. More information is available on their website .

A donation box is also set up at the YWCA Past and Present Gently Used Clothing Store to collect items for the Wall of Love in Charleston. They’re looking for items that would fit in a plastic bag like band-aids, socks, shampoo, diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes and non-perishable food items.

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