by Rachel Petty
The Smith County Emmanuel House has officially opened its doors this week after months of hard work and many volunteer hours.
The Emmanuel House is a transitional living facility and temporary shelter where homeless women and children can find temporary housing, spiritual mentorship, transportation, life skills training, education, and access to recovery programs and social services.
On Sunday, June 23, 2019, members of the community gathered at the newly-renovated home for an open house and ribbon cutting celebration.
This special gathering gave members of the community the opportunity to tour the house, as well as meet the Board Members and the hardworking community volunteers who have worked to revitalize it.
Many different organizations and individuals volunteered to “adopt” or sponsor the renovation of a particular room in the house, so the Emmanuel House feels like a true collaborative, community project.
The following groups and individuals sponsored rooms inside The Emmanuel House:
- Concordia Care
- The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition
- Carthage United Methodist Church
- Gordonsville FCE
- Carthage First Baptist Church
- The Young Republicans
- Riverview Regional Hospital
- Carthage FCE
- Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church
- Jennifer Hensley
- Carthage Church of Christ
- Friends of Wilson Bank & Trust
- FCE Night Owls
- Pam Petty and Lindsey Dixon
Every room in the house feels bright, warm, and ready to welcome those who need it the most.
The Emmanuel House has 10 bedrooms and can house approximately 25 people.
The Emmanuel House is open to women who need a supported place to live as they move toward independence following homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, recovery programs, or other setbacks.
Women complete an application process in order to live in the Emmanuel House. While living there, residents will pay rent and work through an 18 month program designed to help them get back on their feet.
The following individuals are on the Board of Directors of The Emmanuel House:
- Michael Nesbitt – Chairman
- Monica Mowdy – Vice Chairman
- Holleigh Upchurch – Treasurer
- Rachel Kemp – Secretary
- Forrest (Junior) Nesbitt
- Kandra Preston
- Dillon Reed
- Bill Woodard
Honorary Board members are Melody Ax and Larry Ax.
Holly Burton will serve as the new Director of the Emmanuel House.
The Emmanuel House relies on community support to operate. You may mail donations to P.O. Box 344 – Gordonsville, Tennessee – 38563. The Emmanuel House also occasionally posts specific donation requests on Facebook.
The Emmanuel House is located at 703 Main Street North in Carthage, Tennessee.
To learn more about The Emmanuel House, visit their Facebook page. You can also visit https://sites.google.com/view/theemmanuelhouse/home.
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