A Lawrence social worker is raising money to help the ex-girlfriend of a suspect charged with murder find an apartment.

“With Lawrence’s housing market being the way it is, I figure she’ll need between $800 and $1,000 for the security deposit and first month’s rent,” said Tracy Bedell, a social worker with Full Citizenship, a nonprofit agency that helps low-income, single mothers find jobs and get off welfare.

Bedell started a fund for Stacie McClelland, 21, and McClelland’s children, ages 3 and 1 1/2, after reading about the family’s plight in the Journal-World.

McClelland and her children were evicted last month from Edgewood Homes, a Lawrence Housing Authority-run apartment complex at 16th Street and Haskell Avenue, after authorities there realized she had let Damien C. Lewis stay with her. She must move by Aug. 31.

Edgewood Homes tenants are not allowed to share their apartments.

Lewis was arrested at McClelland’s apartment July 17 and later charged with first degree murder in the July 10 shooting deaths of Pete Wallace and Wyona Chandlee, both 71, during a burglary at the couple’s home at 1530 Learnard Ave.

Lewis’ arrest also resulted in McClelland forfeiting her day care license.

McClelland has said she was aware that Lewis had served time in prison but insisted she knew nothing of his alleged criminal activities while in Lawrence.

After Lewis’ initial arrest, McClelland called police after finding items belonging to the couple among Lewis’ belongings.

“This was lapse in judgment on Stacie’s part, she got sweet-talked by a guy who’s a really good sweet-talker,” Bedell said. “But Stacie is someone who absolutely does not want to be on welfare. She’s doing everything she can to avoid going back on, and all I’m trying to do is get her past finding a place to live.”

Donations may be sent in care of Stacie McClelland Fund to Douglas County Bank, 300 W. Ninth St, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

McClelland started a new job Monday. Until she’s paid, she said she was living on money borrowed from relatives and friends.

“A lot of people are helping me, and I’m truly thankful for that,” she said. “This whole thing completely turned my life upside down. I’m starting over with nothing, but I want everybody to know that I intend to stand up and testify against Damien. I feel terrible about what happened to (Wallace and Chandlee). I can’t quit thinking about them.”

McClelland said she was eager to leave Edgewood Homes.

“I’m not going to lie about it I’m scared to stay here; I’m petrified,” she said. “Damien has friends that I don’t even know, so when I’m here, I try not to go outside. I’m always looking out the window.”