Sometimes news has to be shouted from the mountain tops or, in our case, The Citizen. I recently had an opportunity to see first-hand the most amazing non-profit ever, the Real Life Center in Tyrone.
Over the summer people kept telling me to go meet Cathy Berggren, the director of the Real Life Center. I scheduled a meeting and she showed me around and shared their mission. I tried not to let on how blown away I was.
I don’t know how many people know of this place; I’m guessing I was the last one in the country to know, but just in case, check them out at www.reallifecenter.org. What an amazing place.
For those of you who have not experienced or may not know its history, the Real Life Center helps the hurting of our county and walks besides families in times of deep and dark hopelessness and tragedy. They feed, clothe, and work with those who have experienced losing it all.
And they are doing it really really well and they are changing lives and giving hope. People come in with shame for having to ask for food and leave with dignity and respect.
As if this was not amazing enough, I visited a few more times and got to see how businesses, associations, organizations, corporations, and individuals of our county have partnered with the Real Life Center to help change those lives.
I mean, someone had a vision for an orchard and now it’s underway.
In my course of my visits, I have heard the volunteer stories of why they help and they will bring a tear or two to your eyes.
So to all those at the Real Life Center and to all those who have helped their mission, I say thank you. It is so awesome to be a part of a county that cares for their fellow man, woman, and child and that truly says we take care of our own.
And to the Director of the Real Life Center, a special thanks to you for the huge vision you have casted, for having a heart that beats full of compassion, and for having authentic servant leadership. You’re doing a really amazing and awesome job.
There are 1.5 million non-profits in the United States. How lucky am I to be able to volunteer at the very best one. I hope you are lucky too next year.
Arwen Mullikin
Fayetteville, Ga.
