HIGH POINT -- A North Carolina woman once down on her luck is lending a hand to those in need. Aspiring fashion designer, Joy McCoy, has been living in at the Salvation Army's shelter in High Point for nearly a year.

"Joy's involved in our Transitional Housing Program, which is a program that goes up to a year, where we help the ladies get back on their feet," said Nany Baron, the shelter's monitor.

McCoy said she moved to North Carolina from New York over a year ago after she found her life heading down a dead end road.

"I was heading to destruction and me being so young, I'm only 25 years old, I have two kids that I have to live for," McCoy said. "If mommy don't live her life right, then they're not going to, because they look up to me."

After finding faith in God, McCoy said she was able to follow her passion for design, something she's dreamt about since she was 11 years old. "God just started giving me all types of visions and I just started doing it, pursuing it," she said.

She's helped other shelter residents pick out outfits for jobs interviews, and on Friday she'll be showcasing her clothes to the community at a fundraising event for the homeless.

"I am homeless, but I wanted to help and show that no matter where you're at, you down or up, you can still push and pursue what you want to do," said McCoy.

She'll show off her outfits and jewelry at the Queen Esther Courts Fashion Show at New Jerusalem Cathedral in Greensboro at 7 p.m. Friday.

McCoy plans to move into a new apartment next month and explained, even though her plans are uncertain, she will follow her faith and help others in her shoes.

"I just want to give back, that's it. I just want to give back. To help people because I know how it feels to be homeless," said McCoy.