Hope – so many people are looking for it. PLACE OF HOPE NORTH GEORGIA is a new Rabun County, nonprofit providing faith-based support and hope to children and families in the foster-care community.

The Concern: Economic uncertainties and drug addictions strain families. When children are involved, the tensions are magnified. Ninety-three percent (93:%) of children removed from birth families by the Georgia Department of Family and Children services (DFCS) are removed because of neglect, parental substance abuse and/or physical abuse. Fortunately, there are couples willing to serve as foster parents. Yet, the need is great, and a foster family is not always immediately available. When a child is relocated to other counties because of foster family is not available, reunification becomes much harder. Plus, foster parenting is a demanding job. Unfortunately, many loving, trained foster parents burn out and leave the system. The end Result – more children are at risk. You and Place of Hope North Georgia can bring added support and stabilization to these young lives and their families.

Our Solutions: Place of Hope North Georgia is an independent 501(c)(3) focused on providing the following services.

• Court-ordered visitation for reunification of families. We’ve joint ventured with Habersham Family Resource Center to provide visitations.
• A supply closet for foster children and DFCS caseworkers.
• Respite care for foster parents to refresh for their vital work.
• Transitional support for children removed from their birth home prior to being placed in a foster home.

We’re currently providing visitation services and operating the supply the supple closet. We’ve leased the land and house at 81 Derrick Street from Clayton Baptist Church so we can provide transitional and respite care services starting next July.

The Above is a great beginning. As we Grow and add other services, we plan to be a major source of support to children and families in the Northeast Georgia foster-care system. By doing so, we can improve the future of young lives and the quality of life in both foster-care and birth families.

How You Can Help: We invite you visit our website at www.placeofhopenga.com to learn more about our focus and to see how you can partner with us for this vital work. You can also request more information at info@placeofhopenga.com

Place of Hope North Georgia, Executive Director:

Sam Brandsma

Place of Hope North Georgia, Trustees:

Elizabeth Adams                                  Scott Beck, M.D.                             Barbara Cantrell

Van Fletcher                                         John Hutcheson                              Kathy McGraw

Johnathan McRary