It is another first for the multiple ministries of Fayette County-based Action of Faith Ministries. The most recent initiative will provide a GED high school equivalency program in conjunction with the Hearts to Nourish Hope organization. Enrollment is set to begin and classes will be held at Action of Faith’s Tyrone headquarters beginning in September.
Sitting in the GED classroom Monday, Hearts to Nourish Hope CEO Deborah Anglin, Education Director Valerie Humphries and Action of Faith Director Curtis Hindman noted the importance of establishing a partnership to provide the educational program.
“A lot of youth drop out of high school and need a second chance to complete their education and to have a successful future. So we’re the bridge for those kids,” Anglin said.
Humphries said the GED course is individualized. The expectation is that some students will complete the program in as little as two weeks while others could take several months. With the program designed to accommodate 15-25 students per session, Humphries said Hearts expects to begin a new classroom cycle each month.
Anglin said the new GED program is especially significant for high-risk kids, those with behavioral issues, family issues or financial issues.
“And we’re looking for assistance from the community,” Hindman said, noting that the two organizations need volunteers to be trained to assist with those interested in obtaining their GED. Hearts and Action of Faith are also currently working with Clayton State University, Georgia State University and Shorter College to supply intern instructors for the program.
The enrollment process for the new GED program is now underway. The program is funded by the Workforce Investment Act through the Atlanta Regional Commission.
As for the partnership between Action of Faith and Hearts to Nourish Hope, Anglin said the desired outcome is simple.
“The partnership is about working together. It’s not about who is getting the credit,” Anglin said.
A sampling of the wide-ranging course offerings already offered by Action of Faith include financial literacy, futures planning, money management and budgeting and Life and Career skills.
And to compliment the classroom work, Hindman said computers are being donated for use in the various educational classes.
Hindman and the Action in Faith group are no strangers to providing community services. First there was the men’s transitional home in Fayetteville that has served 35-40 young men in the past three years. Then came Resurrection Clothing & More on Ga. Highway 85 South, the donation center where Action of Faith also operates a food pantry and holds numerous classes and serves hundreds of people each month.
Now at its recently opened Tyrone location, and aside from the various courses gearing up to begin, the facility is bringing in 10-20 pallets of food each week to be distributed to the many area ministries operating food banks. The ministry has moved more than 80,000 pounds of food since January, Hindman said.
For more information on the GED program contact Valerie Humphries at 770-997-4517 or Curtis Hindman at 770-846-1238.
Action of Faith Ministries is headquartered at 1550 Senoia Road in Tyrone. The ministry is located on the far north portion of Senoia Road as it wraps around behind the Legacy Theater. For more information on Action of Faith Ministries contact Curtis Hindman at 770-846-1238 or at c_hindman@aofministries.org
