St. Paul's Episcopal Church recently presented The Journey Home with a $23,845 gift to further the efforts of the nonprofit's housing program. The funding was raised through the Take Root Luncheon, a fundraiser hosted by members of the congregation earlier in the year.

"We are grateful to members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for their investment and honored to be working with them as volunteers at The Journey Home," said Scott Foster, Executive Director, "we work with more than 1,500 volunteers throughout the year and this partnership with St. Paul's is so meaningful to those we serve." The funding received from St. Paul's Episcopal Church will be used to expand The Journey Home's housing program to serve the disadvantaged in Rutherford County like low-income seniors, homeless families with children, veterans and the disabled.

The Take Root Luncheon was spearheaded by Liz Huber, Community Relations Outreach for St. Paul's along with a committee of volunteers. "The Journey Home has been a part of our ministry for many years," commented Huber, "I am grateful to our committee – they provided amazing leadership through this event and their hard work really shows in the results of this event."

The Luncheon featured Kathy Izard, an award-winning author and speaker who helped bring transformation to Charlotte, NC in homelessness, housing, and mental health.

The Journey Home was founded in 2006 as a Christian Outreach serving the homeless and disadvantaged of Rutherford County. The housing program currently operates 25 supportive housing units serving 50 to 60 people on any given night. Additionally, the agency houses about 60 families in marketplace rental homes annually. The Outreach Center provides day to day resources connecting people and engaging them at their point of need. Transformation happens through sustainable, long-term investment of both the individual and the community at large.

The Journey Home has many opportunities for volunteerism and partnership. If you would like more information on becoming involved, please contact Lisbeth Couser, Director of Development. LCouser@LoveGodServePeople.org or call 615-809-2644.

Photo: Pictured from left to right: Marcie Richmond, Terri Donovan, Liz Huber (Outreach Director), Melissa Warren & Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess, all with St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Scott Foster and Geneva Poss with The Journey Home.