Christian City has a long-established reputation for lending a helping hand to the elderly and to children in need. The organization’s efforts now include the upcoming construction of a crisis cottage for children from across metro Atlanta and is asking for community support to make the project a reality.
Christian City as part of its 2005 strategic plan envisioned the completion of The Children’s Village with 10 cottages located at its Union City campus. The organization was able to complete four cottages before the economy bottomed-out during Great Recession, said marketing and development director Heidi Becker.
Today, Christian City is about to begin work on a crisis cottage to meet the emergency needs of area children. And that is where the community can help.
Though approximately half the funds needed for the $400,000 cottage project are in place, Becker said, Christian City is going to take a leap of faith and embark on the project.
“The project comes after almost a year of praying, planning and a fundraising campaign launched by consumer investigator Dale Cardwell and other community leaders to build a crisis cottage to care for kids on an emergency basis at The Children’s Village,” Becker said. “We are seeking volunteers from our community partners to help with the framing of the house which is 5,300 square feet. The Children’s Village has been caring for abandoned, abused or otherwise homeless children since opening the first cottage on Valentine’s Day, 1965.”
The need for the crisis cottage is clear, Becker said, noting that only a few weeks ago Christian City took in five siblings and is having to turn other children away because there is not sufficient room available.
The type of community help needed for the crisis cottage project includes financial and in-kind support and volunteer help with the build.
Build days will be held on Friday, July 26, Saturday, July 27, Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. A Chick-fil-A lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided for all volunteers. Those interested in participating in the build activities should contact Heidi Becker at 770-703-2636 or visit www.christiancity.org
“This volunteer effort is being head up by long time Habitat for Humanity volunteer Terry Chapman and his team of ‘Grey Ghosts’ who are retirees and who have vast experience in building homes for those in need,” said Becker. “Terry has been involved in 90 builds. He will oversee the projects on the day of the build, but will need 35 volunteers, four of which will serve as team leaders. Bob Adams Homes is the general contractor.”
Community partners include Delta Air Lines employees, Georgia Power employees, Tim Hudson Family Foundation, Square Foot Ministries, The Retired NFL Players Assoc., Cherokee County Young Republicans and others.
Once the crisis cottage project is complete, Christian City will embark on the next part of the strategic plan that calls for adding another cottage for girls and one for boys.
For additional information on the crisis cottage project visit www.childrensvillageatlanta.com
