Christian City- an incredible campus and resource
“Our founders saw opportunities in their community and offered their love. That love allowed them to dream. As we dream for ways to meet the changing needs of our community, God leads us still – just as he led them.” – Mike Harbin, Christian City Board Chairman
Back in the early 70s, I lived in Fairburn. I heard about a relatively new complex called Christian City in Union City, near the border of Fulton and Fayette Counties. Now, it is about to celebrate its 60th anniversary!
Christian City has an admirable vision statement, envisioning- “a world where even the most vulnerable among us have a safe home and loving community enabling them to thrive.”
The goals of the organization are to- “Enhance and expand sustainable programs for children and families; Maximize, monetize and modernize our land and facilities to better serve senior adults, children, and families; Ensure financial stability and sustainability in order to grow and expand our ministries.”
Rotary of Peachtree City contributes to one of the institution’s functions (Two Sparrows Village). And its COO, George Martin, is an active Rotary member. He recently gave me a golf cart tour of their beautiful, heavily wooded 500-acre campus. It was illuminating; I knew that the campus contained more than one program, but I never knew just how many.
Christian City’s family and children-oriented services have several objectives, including:
breaking the cycle of generational poverty, assuring that teens graduate from high school, supporting foster care children and family units, and protecting at risk youth from
Traffickers (note- Atlanta is one of the USA’s major trafficking centers).
Here is a summary of Christian City’s family and children oriented services-
* Children’s Village is a program designed to provide group housing for at risk children.
* Safe Place is call in agency with around the clock services which helps homeless teens in emergency situations.
* Crossroads addresses the need to place kids with behavioral or medical issues into a supportive family environment, including foster care and adoption services.
* Thrive addresses youth 18-24 who progressed out of foster care but have a need for housing and support services.
* Healthy Families is designed to assist families to overcome periods of crisis, stabilizing the family unit and preventing homelessness.
* Two Sparrows Village provides housing and support services for neuro-diverse younger adults with mental disabilities including neurological conditions such as autism.
Georgia’s population is rapidly aging, and many of our residents have financial barriers. The Christian City complex provides affordable residential and other services for over 1000 seniors, including-
*Senior apartments consisting of 295 subsidized, income-based units, with another 80 being added soon (operated by National Church Residences).
*Senior Patio “life lease” homes consisting of 235 units, with aspirations for another 30 to be added in the future.
*A 150 Assisted Living residence for seniors who need minimal help with daily activities (owned and operated by PruittHealth).
*A 200 bed Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility for elderly people needing more extensive services (owned and operated by PruittHealth).
Christian City’s services are funded in a wide variety of ways, including government and private contributions. In 2023, over 1,000 men and women volunteered in a wide range of ways to help the residents of Christian City. For example, Graceland Thrift Store, located on the campus, is staffed by several dozen volunteers. Last year, it raised many thousands of dollars for the charity.
Keith Horton, President/CEO, encourages the readers of the Citizen to support the campus and its wonderful programs. To volunteer, a profoundly rewarding experience, call 678-466-1093.
Another way to support the organization is through donations. To donate, go to-https://christiancity.org/donate/ .
