The Paper article.

CMYK
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
features
3B
For The Paper
Elizabeth Embry readied to spend the night in a parking lot to aid in lifting families out of homelessness. This year, Family Promise of Hall County’s Car City, Tent Town fundraiser will be March 23 at Northside Church.
The
By Lisa Laskey
llaskey@gainesvilletimes.com
Homeless children often have abysmal school performance and graduation rates. Lacking in adequate education, this, in turn, only increases the
chance that they will continue a life of
poverty.
In 1987, Congress passed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
which requires these children be immediately enrolled in the school system
where they are temporarily residing.
This means that even if a family moves
from location to location out of necessity, they are to be kept within that system, ideally at one school. The stability
of a single school has been proven to
slightly offset a transitory existence.
With an education home base secured by Congressional requirement,
Lindsey McCamy, director of Family
Promise of Hall County, vowed to take
up the second half of the equation.
She would provide stable, safe temporary housing for homeless families
as they worked to re-establish employment and a place to live.
The non-profit organization, established in May, 2012 in Hall County, rebuilds families from its most vulnerable
link. “We gear toward children,” said
McCamy.
Family Promise “fills a hole,” she
said. According to McCamy, there are
very few, if any, other organizations
that accept an entire family.
“It’s not like an emergency shelter.”
There is extensive paperwork; discussion with a case manager, background
checks and a balancing out of the past
before a family is accepted into the program that is expected to last approximately three months.
According to McCamy, there are
more than 200 homeless families scattered throughout the city and county.
“It used to be about 500,” she said.
The McKinney-Vento Act also requires schools to have a liaison for
homeless children.
promise
of a
home
Family Promise and area
church serve those in need
These counselors keep an eye out for
students who may be without a permanent home.
But this human lynchpin may be
covering several schools and a wide
geographic area. Add to this both the
social stigma of homelessness, and the
fear by parents that their children will
be taken from them because they are
without permanent residence, and it’s
a bit of a dicey task.
“People won’t come forward because
they are afraid that their children will
be taken,” McCamy said.
McCamy goes to the liaisons’ group
meetings to spread the word about
Family Promise which is a national organization. And she has enlisted support
from area churches.
“My parents are really active with
Family Promise in Dalton,” she said. “I
first approached my pastor in 2010.”
Family Promise host churches commit to housing 3-4 families overnight
and feeding them for a week that runs
Sunday to Sunday. During the day,
children go to school and parents are
transported to a day center where they
can take showers, obtain job counseling, search for employment or manage
other tasks designed to return them
to work, and later, an address of their
own.
“During the day, they’re here at the
center with me,” McCamy said. First
priority is a steady job.
Evenings, families are returned to
their host church site where they each
have a church classroom transformed
into a bedroom, complete with nightstand and the like. Furnishings for the
families are moved, by trailer, and unpacked each week at the new host site.
There are currently 11 Hall County
churches that host families; McCamy is
seeking more so the rotation between
them will be longer.
“We can always use volunteers,” she
said. “It’s a very flexible ministry,” she
said.
Flowery Branch United Methodist
Church was one of the first churches to
come aboard.
“In the summer of 2011 when Lindsey and Family Promise of Hall County
were looking for churches to serve as
host and support churches I had just
been appointed here,” said Flowery
Branch UMC pastor Ed Dickens.
“Family Promise seemed like an excellent way to serve with others out into
Hall County so I asked our administrative council to agree to serve as a host
church, which they wholeheartedly
did,” said Dickens.
“The opportunity to open our building to homeless families for shelter, to
prepare meals for and consume meals
with them, and worship, play and fellowship with these families as we stay
overnight with them has given us an
opportunity to discover that other than
having homes to go to we are really no
different.
See HOME, page 4B
Runners sought for 4th annual
Precious Feet race and fun run
Precious Feet 5K
Race and Fun Run
When: March 9,
1K at 8 a.m.; 5K at
8:30 a.m.; Awards
ceremony to follow
Where: 5302
Railroad Avenue
(the historic
Flowery Branch
Depot)
Online registration:
www.active.com
More information: Joy
Rebello, rebellojl@
hotmail.com
From staff reports
Prince of Peace Catholic Church will be
holding its 4th annual Precious Feet 5K and
1K Fun Run March 9 in downtown, historic
Flowery Branch.
The race is a project of the Respect Life Ministry at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
“While the race is centered at Prince of
Peace organizationally, we network among
other pro-life organizations and Respect Life
groups in the Atlanta area,” said Joy Rebello,
one of the race organizers.
According to Rebello, the event is growing.
The road race was moved to historic downtown last year and Rebello praised both the
city and the police department for being supportive of the growing numbers on race day.
“We saw many more registrants for the
race, more volunteers, and higher numbers
of donations,” she said. “After the race, we
were contacted by other pro-life organiza-
tions who wanted to know how to get started
with having a race in their area. We’ve made
a lot of progress,” she said.
According to Rebello, race net proceeds
will benefit Birthright International’s Atlanta
location which provides pregnancy support
services.
“We felt that due to the comprehensive
nature of services that Birthright provides,
especially with social services and outside
referrals, this would be the best recipient.”
The Respect Life Ministry coordinates
and directs pro-life efforts within the Catholic Archdiocese relying upon direction from
the Bishops’ Pro-Life Office and the National
Committee for a Human Life Amendment.
On a parish level, the parish pro-life committees sponsor and conduct a variety of prolife activities, which can include educational
programs, support and aid to pregnancy
counseling groups, and grassroots legislative
action.
For The Paper
Mothers Amy Heffern and Alysha Frydrick with tots in strollers run
the 3rd annual Precious Feet race held at its new location in downtown Flowery Branch.
CMYK
4B
features
The Paper | Wednesday, February 6, 2013
community happenings
Get through the week with The Springs
Church & our every Wednesday Night
Downpour. Share a potluck dinner
6-6:30 p.m., followed by an adult
church service focusing on prayer
from 6:30 p.m. to-8 p.m., and
bible lessons and activities for
youth and children too. All are
welcome. The Springs Church is
located at 6553 Spout Springs
Rd. in front of Flowery Branch
High School.Questions? E-mail
office@thespringschurch.org ,
call 770-965-9506 or visit www.
thespringschurch.org
Come and celebrate the Chinese New
Year at the Spout Springs Library
Feb. 7 anytime between 4 p.m.
and 8 p.m. Make a craft and
grab a fortune cookie. For more
information call 770-532-3311 ext.
192.
The Spout Springs Library will host
an ‘Understanding Life Insurance’
program Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Insurance
Agent Johnny Ledford will
present information regarding life
insurance, such as the types of
insurance and how to choose the
best for you, loan and cash values
of policies and the importance of
assigning beneficiaries. There will
also be a question and answer
session. For more information
contact call 770-532-3311 x198.
Volunteer income tax assistance is
available at the Center for Family
Prosperity under the GainesvilleHall County Community Service
Center umbrella. Assistance will
be available Wednesdays from 3
p.m. to 7 p.m. and Feb. 9 and 23, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. and through March
6 by appointment only. The free
tax preparation service is offered
by IRS trained volunteers and is
available to families with annual
gross incomes up to $49,000.00.
Community Service Center, 430
Prior Street, S.E. in Gainesville.
Call 770.503.3336 to make an
appointment. A complete list
of documents needed for the
appointment can be found at
www.gainesville.org.
Birding 101. Feb. 9 from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. Did you know that
there are more than 10,000 bird
species worldwide? Join us at
the Gwinnett Environmental and
Heritage Center as we discover
VALENTINE’S
DAY BY THE
NUMBERS
190 million: The
number of greeting
cards exchanged
for the holiday. Valentine’s Day comes
in second to Christmas for the most
number of greeting
cards sent.
73: The percentage
of men who give
bouquet gifts.
more about the sport of birding.
Ages 8 and up. Program is
included with cost of admission.
Gwinnett Environmental and
Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water
Drive in Buford. Call 770.904.3500
or visit www.gwinnettEHC.org for
more details.
A workshop on healthy grieving for the
whole family will be held Feb. 9,
9 a.m. to noon, at Martha Hope
Cabin, 528 Prior St., Gainesville.
Using art and other activities,
families will work together to
process loss, highlight the family
strengths, recognize changes
while moving forward and
keeping a loved one’s memory
alive. The workshop is free, but
registration is required. To register,
call Laura Haisten at 770-219-0273
or email laura.haisten@nghs.com
Enjoy Family Fun Night “Hugs and Kisses”
at the Spout Springs Library Feb.
11 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a story,
games, craft and a light snack.
We welcome kids of all ages and
their families. This program is free
and open to the public. For more
information call 770-532-3311 ext.
192.
Learn about the online resources the
library has to offer at the World
Wide Webrary class Feb. 12 at
10 a.m. Learn how to get free
access to genealogy, auto repair
and practice tests. For more
information call 770-532-3311 ext.
191.
Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremonies:
Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate this Valentine’s Day
by joining other couples at the
Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
in the old Justice of the Peace
Office (Rooms 103 and 104).
Magistrate Court judges will
perform Valentine’s Day wedding
ceremonies or perform special
ceremonies to renew wedding
vows. Couples who are getting
married must obtain a valid
marriage license prior to Feb. 14
and bring the original marriage
license to the ceremony; you will
not be able to obtain a license at
the historic courthouse. Contact
Probate Court at 770.822.8250 for
information on obtaining your
marriage license. Couples who
are renewing their wedding vows
119: The number of
single men in their
20s per 100 single
women of the same
age.
6,000: The number
of weddings that
take place every
day in the United
States.
144: The number
of years the chocolate box has been
around. The first
Valentine’s Day box
of chocolates was
Shop For Your Sweetheart
in Downtown Braselton
February 9-10
10 am - 6 pm
do not need to bring a copy of
their wedding license. All services
are free and no appointment is
necessary. For more information,
contact Chief Magistrate Kristina
Hammer Blum at 770.822.8081 or
kristina.blum@gwinnettcounty.
com.
“Girl model, ” part of the Tour
of Independent Filmmakers,
will be shown at 7 p.m. Feb.
14 at the Univeristy of North
Georgia’s Gainesville campus.
For more information go to
http://www.theartscouncil.net/
independentfilms.html.
The Athens Youth Symphony will
present a Winter Concert Feb.
17 at 4 p.m. in Presentation Hall,
Bertelsmann Foundation Building,
Athens Academy. The concert will
feature young musicians from all
over North Georgia in works by
Schubert, Dvorak, Offenbach, and
Arthur Sullivan. The concert is free
and open to the public. For more
information call 706-543-1907.
Winter Storytime at the Spout Springs
Library will run through Feb. 15.
Preschool Storytime for ages 3
and up will be on Tuesdays at
10 a.m. Toddler Storytime for
ages 18-36 months will be on
Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Baby Steps
Storytime for ages 0-18 months
will be on Fridays at 10 a.m. These
programs are free and open to the
public.
A Flea Antiques
Braselton Antique Mall
Braselton Gallery
Countryside Antiques
Elements A Day Spa
Valentines For
Your Sweetheart
Memories in the Making!
y
Call for information
on our affordable
BB Brand Jewelry and
Valentine floral selections.
Extraordinary. Memorable. Events.
770.586.0095
www.carlhouse.com
20-40 volunteers host
families for three weeks
“Serving others through
this ministry has given us
the chance to be the hands
and feet of Christ to others.
It is helping us gain confidence in our abilities to
serve,” said Dickens.
According to the pastor,
it takes 20-40 volunteers
to host three families for a
week.
“But it is well worthwhile,” said Dickens, “as
these families are down on
their luck and need to see
God’s love at work.
Marion Hunter, the
church’s lead co-coordinator for Family Promise, believes that this experience
is helping both the families
served and the parish volunteers.
“From a personal perspective, I can say that everyone who has become
involved with the families
has learned that although
we are there to help them,
they have helped us equally
as much by bringing out the
best in us,” Hunter said.
“They have caused us to
look at the teachings of Jesus, what He is asking us to
do in the world today, and to
go beyond ourselves and do
for others.”
“When they experience
and receive love through
our service, as they did at
the church before us and
as they will at the next one,
it can be overwhelming
— but it helps them realize
how great God’s love and
grace is, how much God
loves them and is providing for them in their time
of need,” he said. “As we
serve we are blessed by
their response and receive
love in return.”
For those who are not
members of a host church,
there are other ways to
support the organization.
McCamy said that gas and
gift cards are very useful
for items like gas and work
clothes for the newly-employed.
“I firmly believe that as
more take part in helping
feed the hungry and house
the homeless we will increase our service to others,” Dickens said. “That
we will be bringing the gospel to life and demonstrating that we not only love
God but our fellow brothers
and sisters as well.”
A winter reading program, Reading is
Sweet, runs through Feb. 15 at the
Spout Springs branch library. The
program is for pre-readers and
young readers through 5th grade.
Children will receive a startup
packet and a free ticket to the
Ringling Brothers Circus (while
supplies last), good from Feb. 21
to March 3. Competing with bingo
cards, children will read to fill their
card. Once filled, each will receive
a free book and a Golden Ticket
for their family to attend a Wonka
Dessert Party March 1 at the
Spout Springs branch. Reading
completed during school can be
counted toward fulfillment. The
program is sponsored by Reading
with Ringling Brothers Circus,
Friends of the Hall County Library
System, Publix and McDonalds.
Registration can be completed at
any local branch or technology
center. For information please call
770-532-3311 ext. 129.
created and introduced by Richard
Cadbury in 1868.
1415: The year in
which the first Valentine’s Day card
was sent.
76: The percentage
of Americans who
celebrate Valentine’s Day.
72: The percentage of
Canadians who plan
to give something on
Valentine’s Day.
1,000: The approximate number
of letters mailed to
Verona, Italy and
addressed to Juliet
every February 14.
3: The percentage
of pet owners who
will buy a gift for
their pet.
1: The ranking given
to teachers in terms
of most Valentine’s
Day cards received.
Numbers 2 and 3
belong to children
and mothers.
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37: The percentage of workers who
have dated
someone at work.
15: The percentage of women who
send themselves
flowers on this day.
2.5 billion: The
dollar amount
spent on jewelry
for Valentine’s Day.
5: The number of
years of shelf life
for dark chocolate. Discard milk
or white chocolate
after a year.
VALENTINE’S
DAY IS RIGHT
AROUND THE
CORNER.
By shopping locally , the following businesses will
help you find the
right gift for your
sweetheart . Help
promote your local
businesses today.
Why drive around,
get a parking
space, spend hours
walking, looking
and still not deciding on what to buy
and getting frustrated when the
businesses below
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you save time and
money and have
great GIFT IDEAS.
Don’t wait until the
last minute, get
your shopping done
early to avoid all of
the rush.
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Home to buy, sell
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Cell: 404-354-2436
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583 Downing Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Your ChoiCe - $25.99
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770-932-1458
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