Residents Receive New Home
By: Robin Collinson, My Sister’s Place Volunteer
If you are a mother, you know the feeling. Your kids come first – you will do anything for your kids. While motherhood is a lifelong role, most mothers don’t expect to be the primary caregiver to their grandchildren.
Grandparents raising grandchildren is becoming more and more common as homelessness in America continues to be a problem. Gainesville, Georgia is not immune to this issue. However, there are many people and organizations, like My Sister’s Place, that exist to provide aid to those in need in this situation.
My Sister’s Place is a shelter serving homeless women and children in Northeast Georgia. Founded in 2000 by Marty Owens, My Sister’s Place is a safe haven for a fresh start for our residents. My Sister’s Place provides a nurturing home, transportation assistance, nutritious meals and other basic necessities to the single women and mothers with children whom we serve. Through the grace of God and an incredible community of supporters, My Sister’s Place is also able to provide mentoring, Bible studies, field trips and other special outings. While they are with My Sister’s Place, residents are provided with the tools and resources needed to help them to be in a better position when they leave than they were in when they arrived.
Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
A previous resident of My Sister’s Place is a grandmother with a very big heart. Even in the midst of being homeless she knew she would not turn down the responsibility of raising not just one grandchild but all three of her grandchildren. She is raising a toddler, an elementary age child and a middle schooler. A year ago, they came to My Sister’s Place. Today, despite the hard road she endured, exacerbated by COVID-19, they have a roof over their heads and all critical necessities taken care of.
In September, one day after their one-year anniversary, this family was able to complete the necessary steps to move into their own apartment (it is not typical for a resident to stay a year, but due to extenuating circumstances, the family remained in the MSP program).
The staff at My Sister’s Place were instrumental in securing outside housing for this family, and My Sister’s Resale Boutique will play an integral role in supplying the furnishings for the majority of the new apartment. All proceeds from the boutique benefit My Sister’s Place.
The staff of My Sister’s Place is thankful to God for His many blessings and give Him the glory for this successful outcome. Congratulations to the family for all their hard work. Way to go grandma!