LAWRENCEVILLE, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Gwinnett County's only cold-weather emergency shelter for homeless women and children is scheduled to open Monday.
The SaltLight Center will serve single women and women with children.
It launches services as part of Family Promise of Gwinnett County, an Interfaith Hospitality Network of 30 local congregations that provide shelter and support services for homeless families in Gwinnett.
The national network includes 171 affiliates in 41 states.
The SaltLight Center will work with the Gwinnett Helpline to provide information and screening to homeless woman and children seeking shelter.
Those seeking shelter should call the Gwinnett Helpline at 770-995-3339 by 2 p.m. on weekdays to apply.
The center will start with 12 beds but hopes to grow.
Carol Love Karpf, the center's director, has been busy building a volunteer base. Training sessions are:
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.
- 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 and Thursday, Nov. 17.
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact her at 770-885-2947.
"Our hope at the center is that we are able to shine God's light on
women and children who are in the middle of an emergency crisis. My hope
is that our volunteers will cover our guests with Jesus' love and
kindness," said Karpf. "We offer a night of relief where our guests can
come and have a hot shower, good meal, and a warm bed. Without
volunteers, we could not run the center. We are in need of volunteers
that will stay overnight with our guests and volunteers that can provide
a dinner or breakfast."
Financial contributions can be made to Family Promise of Gwinnett County, P.O. Box 464971, Lawrenceville, GA, 30042 or online at www.familypromisegwinnett.org where there is a wish list of needs for the center.
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