Turner Chapel, Marietta Donates $25,000 to Turner Hill CDC
By Chelsye J. Burrows, 6thEpiscopal District
The Rev. Dr. Tar-U-Way Richard Allen Bright, the senior pastor at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta announced that Turner Chapel donated $25,000 to the Turner Hill Community Development Corporation (CDC). The members of Turner were encouraged to give $50 per family toward the CDC on behalf of Dr. Bright’s 50th Birthday celebration on February 24. The amount of $15,000 was raised and the church added $10,000 for a total of $25,000. The funds will support and further elevate services to non-violent ex-offenders and domestically-abused women at the Harmony House and the House of Grace Women’s Transition Home, respectively, two divisions of the Turner Hill CDC. Both programs are located in Marietta, Georgia.
“The Turner Hill CDC is committed to having a positive impact and making a difference for individuals and families that are in need in Cobb County,” said the Rev. Bright. “At Turner Chapel, it is important that we bless our community and work for positive change. As a result of this unwavering commitment, we are proud to donate $25,000 to the CDC. These funds will further the efforts of Harmony House by providing services that change the lives of non-violent ex-offenders and help them to return to society as productive members of the community; and to the House of Grace, which provides a lifeline to abused and homeless women who strive for financial security and housing stability.”
Established in 2006, the Harmony House Program provides housing and transitional support to homeless ex-offenders who have been recently released from jail or prison as well as outreach and referral to non-residential clients, their families, and the community as a whole. The goal of the program is to provide a safer community for all Cobb County residents through reduction of recidivism and by aiding ex-offenders in becoming law-abiding and responsible members of the community.
Since it began operation, each year, the Harmony House residential program has served 15-20 homeless ex-offenders. The outreach and referral program served an additional 100-150 or more, mostly through telephone referrals. As of February 2019, Harmony House has served 314 ex-offenders through our residential program; provided 12,640 bed nights; and assisted 1,409 persons through its outreach and referral program.
Turner’s Hill CDC’s House of Grace Women’s Transition Home is a private house for women and their children who have been victims of domestic violence. The House serves as a bridge for women who leave a shelter and are seeking a permanent residence. The goal of the program is to empower these women and restore self-sufficiency and self-esteem. Each client is required to participate in educational classes in financial management. Life coaching and counseling are offered. To date, the House of Grace Women’s Transition Home has served 45 children and 17 women.
