Kings Mountain woman creates place for women to receive friendship and support

When Lisa Vaughn was going through a difficult time in her life, she was grateful for a strong support system to walk alongside her.

She said she realized that not everyone has that network to lean on.

Vaughn, who was born and raised in Kings Mountain and moved back in 2020 following the death of her father, decided she would be the catalyst to create that support system for other women and around five months ago, she started Friends Supporting Friends, a place for women to gather and offer a listening ear and words of encouragement.

In January, she crafted a Facebook post.

“Good morning ladies,” the post said. “In these days and times, we all could use a friend and/or support system. I’m looking for some ladies that would like to build community amongst ourselves and would like to meet for breakfast this coming Saturday morning.”

Vaugh said she was both shocked and not shocked by the response. Nine women showed up that first morning, the following week there were more than 20. Since then, the women have met every Saturday with regulars and newcomers attending each week.

The women meet at 828 E. King St., Kings Mountain, at 9 a.m.

In June, Vaugh was nominated and selected to be the Kings Mountain Citizen of the Month award, and she was recognized during a City Council meeting. Vaugh was nominated by Kathleen King and other members of the support group.

“Recognizing that many women feel alone and may not have a good support system, her intention was to create a forum for local women to meet, converse, encourage, share and support one another,” King wrote in an email to Mayor Rob Wagman. “Before the first meet up on Januart 27, Lisa worried that perhaps no one would show. That first gathering brought 10 women together. The following week, 20 women showed up and the following week over 35 women got together.”

King said every week since then, Vaughn has led, challenged and encouraged the diverse group of women.

“Lisa has made personal connections with each and every woman,” she said. “At almost every meeting, someone new shows up, and Lisa warmly smiles and greets them as if she’s known them for a long time.”

King said the group has been transformational for her and others.

A Facebook group, FSF Friends Supporting Friends, was also created to post meetings and other information and has grown to nearly 600 members.

She said the response demonstrates the need for that type of connection and has attracted women from the ages of 15 up into the 70s.

Vaughn said she has always had a heart for women and as a single mother she relied on her support system, and she wanted to offer that to others in her community.

“I wanted a place to allow women to come and have support, and I just posted it to just say, ‘Hey y’all, if you are looking for a friend, let’s meet and let’s have lunch or breakfast.' The response was just mind boggling,” she said.

She said everyone is welcome, no matter age, background or skin color.

“The thing we all have in common is we are all human beings and we all need each other,” she said. “People are looking for support, love, encouragement. That was across the board.”

Vaughn said they get together, talk, laugh, cry and share the good, the bad and the ugly in their lives.

She said they not only support each other emotionally, but when one woman had her air conditioning go out, the group came together and bought her a portable AC unit.

In a few weeks, they are going to have a virtual pajama party for those who can’t make it to in-person meetings. Vaughn said she hopes to start a similar support group for men.

She said she isn’t starting a church, but some members feel they get that same friendship, support and community they would through attending church.

“They feel like when they come, they leave fulfilled. They leave encouraged. They leave empowered. Most of them say that their lives begin to change,” she said.

Vaughn said it’s been a blessing to the women in the group, but also a blessing to her.

In the future, she hopes to see the movement spread with similar groups in other areas.

“I want us to be able to be the best wives, mothers, sisters, friends, parents," she said. "Whatever you are in life, just to be the best at that. Sometimes as women we have so many hats we get lost in that mix. The good thing is you don't have to stay there. One of the ladies, she was suicidal when she came to our meeting. She comes just about every week. She’s not the same person.”

For more information on FSF Friends Supporting Friends, find them on Facebook.

Reach reporter Rebecca Sitzes at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Kings Mountain woman creates friendship and support group