2020 Fall General Grant
Grant Amount: $50,000
Grant Purpose: renovate space for Starting Over, a ministry that provides a welcoming and safe space for children to have supervised visitation with non-custodial parents
On April 29, 2022, Starting Over held its dedication ceremony at St. Julian’s Episcopal Church in Douglasville. Starting Over provides a safe place for supervised visitation for non-custodial parents and their children. What began as a need for one non-custodial parent and one child has grown to serve more than 2,000 children and 1,300 non-custodial family members. At the dedication ceremony, visitors were able to see the space renovations. With beautiful decorations, toys, child-friendly tables and chairs, and a new bathroom, the space offers a peaceful and safe environment for continuing the mission of Starting Over.
Previously, these types of supervised visitations were hindered by costs, lack of transportation, or availability of supervision. Starting Over now serves Douglas County and surrounding areas where families can meet with children three times a week with supervision. Children from young as 1 month to 17 years old have been able to take advantage of this rewarding service. Supervisors are volunteers from the parish, who have completed “Safeguarding God’s Children,” and have been trained to supervise families respectfully and objectively. Starting Over has provided volunteers the opportunity to develop compassion and empathy for the families, thereby enriching their lives as well.
Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia
Following Christ’s example and the tradition of The Episcopal Church, we partner with Episcopal communities in the Diocese of Atlanta by providing funding, leadership, and resources to enable Episcopalians to lift up people facing poverty and oppression and to achieve significant, long-lasting change in our communities.