Charlotte witnessed something rare and remarkable on Aug. 20: the birth and open house of a safe haven for women rebuilding their lives. The Butterfly House opened its doors not just as a residence, but as a sanctuary. A place where women in recovery can finally breathe, heal and take the first steps toward independence.
Across the United States, more than seven million affordable homes are missing from the housing market, leaving thousands of women in recovery without a stable place to land. In North Carolina, the housing crisis has reached alarming levels, with only 41 affordable homes available for every 100 families in need. Add to that the fact that 12 North Carolinians die every single day from an overdose, and the picture becomes painfully clear: Women battling substance use and trauma are too often left without the housing, counseling and support they need to heal and thrive.
Yet, within this storm of alarming statistics, The Butterfly House emerges as a lighthouse of transformation and hope. At its packed Open House celebration, this writer and community members filled the house with excitement, touring a space carefully furnished and decorated with warm colors, thoughtful wall art and the promise of new beginnings.
We talked with L’Monique King, visionary and co-founder of The Butterfly House (also a Qnotes staff writer), to explore the mission and vision that fuels this work and the future she and her partner Toii (both former foster parents for LGBT youth) are building for the women who will call this place home.
Wendy Lyons: Congratulations on your new endeavor. Who are the founders of The Butterfly House and what inspired its creation?
L’Monique King: The Butterfly House was founded by me and my partner in life and business, Toii King. Together, we lead Talking Sheets Enterprises, LLC, and this home became our housing initiative. My inspiration came from nearly a decade working in public health focusing on HIV prevention, substance use disorders and mental health. Most recently, for two years I managed programs that included rental assistance for clients in recovery. I visited many sober-living houses and saw where women were falling through the cracks. I thought, we can do better. The Butterfly House was born from that conviction.
WL: What is the mission of The Butterfly House, and how did it guide opening day?
LMK: Our mission is clear: to assist women in recovery to find their wings and soar. That guided every decision. We wanted to create not just housing, but a home and a place where women could stabilize, find support and build long-term recovery.
WL: When did the vision begin and what led to the grand opening?
LMK: The idea had been on my heart for about two years. In March 2025, Toii and I committed to bringing it to life. We developed policies, a resident handbook and a program model based on best practices. Then we leaned on community support, donations, partnerships and a lot of sweat equity to make it real. By Aug. 20, we were ready and excited to open the doors.
WL: Where is the house located, and why there?
LMK: The Butterfly House is located at 1025 Brianna Way in Charlotte near the Clanton Road/South Boulevard area. It’s a neighborhood close to services and transit, but most importantly, the house feels like a home. When women walk in, we want them to think, I can heal here.
WL: What programs and services are offered to residents?
LMK: We implemented a three-tier model of growth: Tier 1 – Women enter as “Caterpillars,” then move into Tier 2 – “White Butterflies,” and eventually become Tier 3 – “Purple Butterflies,” gaining more independence as they progress. We offer case management, peer support, trauma-informed assessments, yoga, art therapy, nutrition workshops with chefs, and even plans for a resident garden. Employment readiness workshops and partnerships with sober-living operators were also part of the design.
WL: How does day-to-day look for residents in the house?
LMK: Each day includes check-ins, work or job search, household responsibilities, and evening activities. We are not a “90-day in and out” program. Women can stay as long as they need to in order to stabilize. We blend in accountability with curfews and testing along with compassion and support.
WL: What is the criteria for enrollment in the program?
LMK: We serve adult women in recovery who are ready to commit to a structured environment. Residents need to have income through work, SSI, or other support to sustain their stay. We could not accommodate minors or those on medication-assisted treatment at this time, but we accept women coming out of treatment or detox, with accountability measures to help them stay on track.
WL: What support have you received thus far that has played a role in preparing The Butterfly House for opening?
LMK: It truly has been a community effort. Donations poured in; kitchenware, bedding, furniture, appliances and professionals offer their expertise. Partnerships with therapists, chefs and community organizations allow us to build a holistic support system from day one.
WL: What does success look like in the first year?
LMK: Success means women feel safe, supported and believe in themselves again. It means residents set and meet goals like securing steady work, building savings or completing their recovery milestones. But it also means seeing them laugh in the kitchen, lead house meetings and transition from Caterpillar to Purple Butterfly with confidence.
WL: Beyond opening day, what are your future goals?
LMK: We want to fill all eight beds and run the model with excellence. Long term, our goals include expanding to additional homes, building a network of Butterfly House residences, and eventually acquiring a van and/or vehicles to remove transportation barriers for our residents.
WL: How could the community support The Butterfly House?
LMK: There were three ways: First, by making referrals and spreading the word; second, by volunteering in areas like gardening, art, and job readiness; and third, by donating essentials to keep the home running. Larger donations like a van, gardening and landscape equipment and supplies are part of our vision, too. We plan to keep an updated needs list on our website so people can easily see how to help.
The Butterfly House was launched during a time of unrest in our country, but with a vision rooted in dignity, healing, love, hope and transformation. LMK shared with the Open House crowd about her sheer determination to overcome obstacles to pursue her dream and her passion. She spoke in tears, “I decided I was going to make a conscious decision to not let my fear, my fear of the unknown, my fear of judgment, my fear of failure. I wasn’t going to let that fear be louder than my purpose. My purpose is to serve, to empower and uplift.
L’Monique, Toii, staff, volunteers and community supporters are creating more than just a recovery house. Already, a next-door neighbor has volunteered to support The Butterfly House with keeping the grass cut.
With the efforts of a community combined, The Butterfly House is offering a place of possibility, transformation, elevation and new life. It is a home with eight beds for healing, structured programming, and a mission to help women “find their wings and soar.” To apply, learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit www.talkingsheets.org and click on The Butterfly House. Together, our Charlotte and surrounding communities can ensure that every woman who walks through its doors has the chance to heal, rebuild and soar to their next level.