Dozens of community supporters turned out for the Spring Open House and resident graduation for the Emmanuel House Sunday, April 24th. The Emmanuel House is a transitional living facility for women. It is also one of a few facilities in TN who house women and their children.
Pictured above Taylor Malone, Case Manager and Micah Myers, Director joined the Emmanuel House at the end of 2021. Expanding the staff and restructuring the way services are provided to the residents was a goal of the Emmanuel House Board. The change has provided additional stability and accountability to the program. The restructure came during the pandemic and at the time no end seemed to be in site. Thankfully, with the new year the pandemic became less of an obstacle and the house remained healthy and has blossomed with Spring.
Holly Burton (above) current board member, former house director and Emmanuel House graduate holds a picture of Chelsea Medley. Chelsea was unable to attend the event, but was was recognized as a Spring graduate of the program. Holly said, “I am so proud of Chelsea. I know what it is like for these ladies, I’ve been there. I keep what I have, my life back with hope for my future, by continuing to serve. I’m glad to have been able to work with Chelsea through her program”.
Current residents of the Emmanuel House include (from left) Melissa Robinson, Debby Smith, Linda Overstreet, Chelsey Boyd, Destiny Wills and Baby Bentley and Anna Reeves. Residents at the Emmanuel House are required to compete a 12-18 month program that includes sobriety, obtaining employment, addressing health and mental health issues, learning to budget and pay bills including rent and completing personal goals. Residents are supported through this process by staff, volunteers and fellow residents.
“This is a community driven organization and it requires all of the community to continue and to grow,” said Micah Meyers, Emmanuel House Director. It takes a community effort to assist in the success of each resident. He expressed thankfulness for joining the team which has been so strongly supported by the community and board. He said the strong support makes it easier for the staff to focus on the residents and helping them achieve their goals. Taylor Malone, case manager agreed. She too shared her thanks for community support and affirmed “It is not the work it is the purpose. Serving these ladies is why I do what I do.”
In 2018 the Emmanuel House was restructured and re-opened. Policies, procedures and programming were reviewed and many changes were made. This has proven a success and several residents have completed the program since the change. Judge Brandon Bellar expressed his gratitude for the program and the impact it has on the lives of the women and children it serves. He said he believes in the program and is comforted and confident in the staff who serve.
Community leaders including Smith County Mayor, Jeff Mason and Carthage Mayor, Sarah Marie Smith shared also words of encouragement and praise for the program, residents and all who participate.
President of the Board, Monica Mowdy said “watching the women enter, do the work and continue to grow after they leave the program has been the greatest blessing of my life.”
Board members include (seated in front) Nancy Cottrell and Holly Burton; (from left) Bill Woodard, Monica Mowdy, Jeremy Hassler, Lindsey Gull, Tara Gates, Leyanne Nesbitt and Holleigh Upchurch. The Emmanuel House Board is truly a working board. Each board member plays a part in the success of the house by helping with household improvements, mowing the yard, assisting with projects, mentoring residents, teaching classes, speaking to groups about the program in order to recruit volunteers and obtain additional funding and finding creative solutions to continue to grow and improve the house on a very tight budget.
To learn more about the Emmanuel House visit their facebook page. The Emmanuel House is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that relies completely on the generous support of community churches, businesses and people. They do not receive federal or state money to provide their services.
