A special group of moms will be facing a tough time over the Mother's Day holiday. They are the women who are staying in the Hope Alliance Emergency Shelter in Williamson County.

For women escaping domestic violence, Mother's Day donations can go a long way toward helping turn their lives around.

At an undisclosed location, the Hope Alliance Shelter takes in women and their children who are escaping domestic violence situations.

"Jerrie" is one such survivor.

"There was a time in my life before I ended up here at the shelter where I thought there was no hope. My self esteem was so low," she said.

Every day can be emotionally hard, but holidays -- like Mother's Day -- are especially tough.

For Mother's Day, Jerrie and the other women received a manicure and flowers are also being donated.

But what the shelter residents really need aren't typical Mother's Day gifts.

Two out of four air conditioning units no longer work and only one washer is able to handle a full load of clothes.

"We just had three hauled off and we have two inside -- one is broken. Those are our latest donations and the other one is a small capacity washer which will only do sheets and a small load of clothes," said Becky Harris, shelter staff member.

Shelter officials are counting on the generosity of the community to help.

"I'm hoping the public will give, give of their time, give of their resources to help moms living in the shelter not feel so alone," said Patty O'Connor, Hope Alliance Shelter CEO.

It's the compassion of strangers that goes a long way toward helping women who are facing tough times.

"It just really makes me feel grateful. I think about every day. I thank God that there are people out there who do think of women in our situation," said Jerrie.

The Hope Alliance Shelter has been at capacity for the last year and a half with 35 women and their children being housed at one time. At least 10 families are turned away every month.