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January 2018
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This Month’s Happenings:
- Reflecting on 2017 and 2018
- Wrapping Up the Holidays 2017
- Giving Through Hospitality
- HomeStretch Celebrates 25 Years of Service!
- Peachtree Tea on February 27
- Thank You Volunteers
- Calendar
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 Reflecting on 2017 and 2018:
It’s hard to believe it’s mid-January already! As we look back on 2017, HomeStretch welcomed many new donors, partners, volunteers, and, of course, new families into our program. So, we look back with gratitude for those who joined us and those we have helped.
2018 brings lots of excitement and opportunity for HomeStretch. We’re celebrating 25 years of service and we’re kicking off the new year with an updated mission statement:
“Guiding homeless families toward permanent housing and lasting stability.”
This restatement of our mission affirms our 25 year legacy of helping homeless families and provides sharper focus on our work and outcomes. This is one of several steps we will take this year to position ourselves for the next 25 years. 2018 is going to be an exciting year, so stay tuned!
Rose Burton
Executive Director
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Wrapping Up the Holidays 2017:
HomeStretch families were lavished with care and attention over the holidays through donated meals, gifts, decorations, and gift cards. These gestures allowed them to not only enjoy a beautiful holiday, but also maintain their financial goals and progress.
Thank you for loving our families. In doing so, we were able to personally get to know you as you delivered your donations. And a special thank you for navigating our under-construction parking lot to get to us!
The families were moved to receive such kindness, using words like ‘blessing’, ‘overwhelmed’, and ‘incredible’ to describe their experience. Thank you for making HomeStretch part of your holidays.
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Giving Through Hospitality:
Kimberly and Mark Stewart wanted to do something different this year for their annual Christmas Extravaganza. Kim, owner of New Beginnings in Roswell, wanted to demonstrate that our community has a giving spirit. So, in lieu of gifts, they asked guests to bring a donation for HomeStretch. This novel and generous idea turned a festive Christmas gathering into a much-appreciated fundraiser and more importantly, provided an opportunity for those guests to learn about the homeless problem in our community and what HomeStretch does to address it. The Stewart family Christmas party raised over $20,000.00 for HomeStretch in one night! We are grateful for the incredible kindness of the family using a unique and fun way to give back to the community.
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| Pictured above: Kurt and Jennifer Hilbert, Rose Burton, Kim and Mark Stewart. |
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HomeStretch Celebrates 25 Years of Service!
The year was 1991 and volunteers at North Fulton Community Charities recognized the need for housing for homeless families in the North Fulton area. The number of at-risk families was increasing, but local charities could only offer limited, short-term aid. To address this growing need, volunteers formed HELPFUL, a ministry that would research housing solutions for these families. During this time, the North Fulton Home Ministry, a program of NFCC, was formed. The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church provided funding and St. David’s Episcopal Church sponsored 2 families in the “Adopt a Family” program.
Roswell Presbyterian Church was the first organization to support HomeStretch by generously paying a year’s rent for the first family served by the newly incorporated organization. By 1994, HomeStretch served homeless families in five residences with the support of community volunteers and donors.
25 years later, 2018 is a year of celebration for HomeStretch! Throughout the year, you’ll see news articles depicting the tremendous growth and impact we’ve had in North Metro Atlanta. We will also be hosting a number of special events culminating with a celebratory gala to be held in the fall. Thank you for being a part of our history!
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Tea Time:
We’re already hard at work getting ready for the annual Peachtree Tea presented, again this year, by Publix Super Markets Charities.
On February 27th at The Country Club of the South, we’ll start the day with a champagne reception featuring a fantastic silent auction, exciting raffle and the always-popular Wine Wall. At noon we’ll have a multi-course luncheon. The highlight of the day is hearing from a HomeStretch family as they share their journey, And, in celebration of our 25th anniversary, we’ll have the privilege of hearing reflections from our Founding Mothers. You’ll certainly leave with a new perspective on the change our program can bring.
We hope to see you at the Tea! If you can’t attend, you can still participate in the on-line silent auction which will open the week before. Bid early and often and help us raise funds to support the HomeStretch mission.
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PROPERTY VOLUNTEERS
North Point Community Church – “Be Rich”
Roswell Presbyterian Church – Small Group
Roswell Rotary
YMSL – Northeast Atlanta Chapter
St. James United Methodist Church
Roswell Presbyterian Church Neighborhood Action Ministry
YMSL – North Fulton Chapter
Leadership North Fulton – Emerging Leaders Program
William & Reed Academy
and, as always, the Tuesday Guys and A Woman’s Touch
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Calendar
Feb 10 – A Pre-Valentine’s Day Concert with Nicha Hillard. Get details and purchase tickets here.
Feb 27 – Peachtree Tea at Country Club of the South. Look for your invitation soon or see our website: Peachtree Tea Details
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Sincerely,
Rose J. Burton
Executive Director
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