Serving in our Local Community
The following organizations are supported by our parish in the local community. In some cases, members of Holy Family were instrumental in establishing and providing crucial levels of support for these organizations in their infancy, and we continue to be involved. Currently we provide financial support through our outreach budget and individuals from the parish volunteer where they feel called and are needed.
To become involved with any of the organizations below, please visit the organization’s home page or contact the Holy Family Parish Administrator at holyfamch2@etcmail.com or 770-893-4525.
ACES Youth Home, Inc. – ACES Youth Home, Inc. provides shelter to boys and girls between the ages of twelve to eighteen. It provides a safe, secure, and nurturing shelter for children in need. The organization’s goal is to help children discover their strengths and learn to cope with the crises in their lives. The staff strives to recognize the value and dignity of each individual they serve. Holy Family donates annually and parishioners volunteer by being board membership, tutors, mentors and providing social activity support.
Angels on Horseback – The mission of Angels on Horseback is to provide therapeutic equine-assisted activities to individuals with mental, physical or emotional disabilities and to encourage growth through the benefits of horse and human relationships. They offer Equine-Assisted Activities (EAA) that include Therapeutic Riding and Equine-facilitated Learning at their equine center in Jasper, Georgia. Holy Family donates annually and parishioners assist with all aspects of animal care and class support.
Boys and Girls Club – The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of North Georgia is to enable all young people, especially those in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization’s vision is to provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through their doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. Holy Family donates annually to the loal club.
C.A.R.E.S. – C.A.R.E.S. is the food pantry and financial assistance center for the citizens of Pickens County. Its mission is to provide food and essential non-food items, temporary financial assistance, resource counseling and educational assistance to those in need residing in Pickens County, Georgia. Anyone who is placed in a difficult situation due to illness, accident or any misfortune that causes them to be in a temporary or emergency need of food is welcome to be a recipient. “It is our devout hope that those who receive these goods and services will be strengthened in body and spirit.”
C.A.R.E.S began in 2004 as an outgorwth of Holy Family’s Food Pantry at Pete’s Porch (on church grounds). Holy Family supports C.A.R.E.S. through our volunteers, a quarterly financial donation, and through enthusiastic participation in C.A.R.E.S. Fund Raisers.
Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center – Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, is a not for profit organization to address the needs of the medically underserved in Pickens County. Holy Family was instrumental in the founding of “Good Sam”, which opened its doors in 2002, and was granted Community Health Center status in 2015. Good Samaritan began to provide these services in old mobile home units. It now is housed in state of the art facilities, and treated 3,776 patients in 2020, with no geographic restrictions on where patients live. Holy Family provides financial support and several parishioners serve on the Board.
Habitat for Humanity Pickens County– HHPC builds strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. It builds one home for a Pickens County family each year. Holy Family donates annually and its parishioners serve on the Board and as volunteers on “build days”. The Episcopal Community Foundation granted $25,000 in 2023 to this chapter to help to develop phase 2 of the neighborhood because of Holy Family’s Habitat relationship.
Lee Arrendale State Prison Ministry – Holy Family has a ministry to support the women incarcerated at Lee Arrendale State Prison. Working through the Chaplain’s Office at the prison, members of the parish travel on Mondays to the prison which is located in Alto, GA. Their activities at the prison include:
- Hosting a weekly re-entry program with the Prison Ministry Team at The Cathedral of St. Philip.
- A weekly Eucharist with the women.
- Individual meetings with women as requested by the Chaplain, or by the women.
- Hosting a group of women who are dealing with grief.
- Delivering death or illness messages to the women.
- Providing funds so that the Chaplain’s Office can provide toiletries for indigent women throughout the year and for all of the women at Christmas.
- Providing lunch for the women in the re-entry program and a quarterly lunch for the women in the Episcopal Service with the approval of the Warden.
Contact the Parish Administrator at holyfamch2@etcmail.com or 770-893-4525 to become more involved.
New American Pathways – New American Pathways is a refugee resettlement organization based in Atlanta, It wlecomes new Americans and helps them get oriented to the American way of life. Holy Family donates annually.
North Georgia Family Partners North Georgia Family Partners offers support and education to those families who just need a little help to get moving in the best direction, as well as group classes and in-home support for those involved in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit Accountability Courts and those referred by DFACS. Holy Family is a donor.
Refuge in Jesus Homeless Shelter – The shelter is a Christ centered organization that provides emergency and temporary shelter, food and resources to homeless men and women. It is the only shelter within 30 miles of Pickens County and can house up to 20 people. It wlecomes men and women who have fallen on hard times, with the majority being elderly or diabled with nowhere else to go. Holy Family is a donor.
Ruth House – Ruth House is a Christ centered, long term, residential recovery program for women additcted to or abusing drugs or alcohol. It serves up to 12 women in a one year program. Holy Family donates annually.
Serve Pickens – Serve Pickens is a community wide, one day “great day of service” for Pickens County nonprofits. It is scheduled on the thrid Saturday of October each year. Holy Family is the founder, donor and many parishioners volunteer or serve on the Board.
Weekend Snack Program – The Weekend Snack program provides take home snacks to children on free and reduced school lunch programs in Pickens County whose parents have agreed to accept the snacks. The program administrator purchases easily transported food that is packaged up and sent home on Friday at the end of the school day. In March, 2020, when schools closed due to the coronavirus, over 400 Pickens students were receiving the weekend snacks. The group was able to continue providing snacks, following pandemic safety guidelines, until the end of the school year. Volunteers from Holy Family help purchase, pack and distribute the weekend snack packages. For more information, please go to the Facebook page linked above.