“As we travel through the various seasons of life, we all face challenges and find ourselves in need of resources to help us navigate the circumstances in which we find ourselves. The Real Life Center is just that resource for those in need.”- Greg Georgianni, Executive Director, Real Life Center
I am the Chairman of Fayette Factor, a very active social action agency here in Fayette County. One of the things that Factor does is to bring people together monthly at Grace Church to exchange ideas and meet other community leaders. That is where I met Greg Georgianni.
Greg is the Executive Director of a wonderful, Christ-based community ministry, The Real Life Center, located off of Georgia Highway 74. The Real Life Center started in 1999 as Braelinn Community Services, a mission of Dogwood Church in Tyrone. The organization initially focused on meeting the food needs of our neighbors in Fayette and Coweta counties. Over time, the mission and services have grown significantly. The Real Life Center now helps those in need through an innovative process of holistic care-caring for each person physically, emotionally, relationally, financially, mentally, educationally, and spiritually.
The Real Life Center provides food services via its food pantry, mobile pantry, weekly market, and senior food program. But it also has a wide range of other services, including:
- Job coaching and referrals to other agencies which can help job seekers
- Targeted education classes related to jobs, communication, cooking, grief and so on
- Mentorship, including goal setting
- Chaplain counseling, offering spiritual and emotional support
- Senior social events such as the monthly senior breakfast social
- School break feeding program
- Periodic access to clothing
- Financial assistance for necessities such as rent and utilities
Since its inception, the Real Life Center has distributed over 8 million lbs. of food, and $2.6 million in direct financial aid. With over 160,000 client services provided, the number of Fayette and Coweta families impacted is countless.
It may come as a surprise to more affluent residents that in recent years the need for assistance has grown. For example, in 2021, Real Life Center provided 14,127 services. But, by last year, that number increased to 21,550, a 52 percent increase in services.
In 2024, Real Life Center distributed 682,692 pounds of food, had 21,550 client visits for programs/services, provided $172,921 dollars in financial aid, and had 828 clients attend its classes.
The Real Life Center provides tremendous benefits to residents of Coweta and Fayette counties. However, it would not exist except for the efforts of generous donors and volunteers, who are the critical link to the fulfillment of the organization’s mission. In fact, volunteer hours totaled 15,852 in 2024.
If you would like to support the organization’s efforts, please go to their website at reallifecenter.org, where you will find information regarding all of its programs and services, volunteering, and how to financially support their mission. Your financial support will help change lives, one person at a time.
As a final note, some of our readers may be looking for an exciting opportunity to have fun while supporting a great cause. The Real Life Center in Tyrone is having their annual Family Scavenger Hunt on April 26th at 9AM. You can join in the fun using your car or golf cart for an exciting morning hunt through Peachtree City while supporting the Real Life Center. Enjoy quality time with friends and family, solve exciting clues, and discover surprises along the way. Also enjoy the after party, featuring food items from the iconic Atlanta favorite, the Varsity, a zoo provided by Georgia Untamed and a host of other fun-filled competitive activities! You may even be crowned the Fayette County Scavenger Hunt Champion. Lunch from the onsite Varsity truck is available for purchase and delivery. You can make a real difference in our community, as every dollar raised goes directly to support the Real Life Center’s mission of walking with those who are hurting in our community.
For more information, you can visit the website above.
