Despite losing state funding, Mountain of Faith is going to remain open, said executive director Betty James.

The Mississippi Home Corp. declined to renew a $155,000 Emergency Shelter Grant, which was used to operate the shelter’s Faith House and the Women’s Restoration Shelter. An application for a second grant was not approved. James said, however, the grant’s loss will not stop Mountain of Faith’s mission as a shelter for homeless women.

“We’re not planning on closing; we’re planning on keeping the doors open,” she said. “We’re going to do whatever is necessary to keep the doors open.”

James said Mountain of Faith is accepting donations from the community, adding if people wish to donate, they can through the mission’s PayPal site at paypal.me/mofmvicksburg, or by mail to Mountain of Faith, 1529 Walnut St., Vicksburg MS 39180.

Mountain of Faith Ministries is a faith-based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in November 2002. The ministry has served homeless women and children in Warren County and the surrounding areas since Jan. 5, 2005, when the Women’s Restoration Shelter was established in Vicksburg.

The “Faith House,” a 24-month transitional facility was opened in the fall of 2012. The ministry also operates the Finders Keepers thrift store and provides assistance for qualified individuals facing eviction. Other services available include life skills, job readiness and first-time homebuyer training.