Former Rainbow House Executive Director Phil Kouns Joins Christian City As Special Assistant to the President for Program Development

Phil Kouns recently joined the staff at Christian City as Special Assistant to the President for Program Development. Kouns was the founding Executive Director of Rainbow House, an emergency shelter for children in Clayton County, and served in that position for 18 years. He is widely recognized for his commitment to the needs of children in crisis and has received many awards and accolades, the most recent being the Lifetime Achievement Award from Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children. With 26 years in the field of Child Welfare/Human Resources and as an ordained minister, it is clear he has a "passion for ministry."

In his new role, Mr. Koun's main responsibilities will include the development of our children’s programs beginning with the construction of our new 30 acre Children’s Village at Christian City. Additionally, he will form a program that will define the training and development needs for new foster parents. The intent of the program is to go into the community and recruit potential foster parents, train them on campus, develop a support system and a follow up system so when they receive children into their care they will be fully prepared and supported.

Mr. Kouns commented, "Leaving Rainbow House was a monumental decision for me and a painful decision, but not in respect to the excitement of the challenges here. I've known about Christian City my entire life, there is no other place I would have considered going."

Christian City's Home for Children, located in Union City, has been meeting the needs of abandoned and abused children for over 40 years. With the support of the community, they have provided a safe and loving home to over 1000 children in crisis. Mr. Koun's expertise and understanding of the needs of these children will help carry Christian City into the future and will help form the direction for the next 40 years to come.

For more information on Christian City, to make a donation, or to volunteer, please call 770-964-3301 or go on line www.christiancity.org

Volunteers at Christian City Treated Royally

 

Christian City recently thanked their volunteers with a royal event straight from the Renaissance.  Jack Sias, President of the Georgia Renaissance Festival, asked his staff to help entertain the over 270 volunteers that lovingly donate their time and talent to the residents at Christian City.  Lunch was served by an appreciative Christian City staff under a big white tent while performers impressed and engaged the audience.  Among the performers were Bret Blackshear, who demonstrated Curious Magic, Kathleen Finger, an Irish harpist, and Court Poetess, Laurel Wordsworth.

 

A big part of the over 40 year success of Christian City is due to the tireless, dedicated  volunteers who serve by working in Graceland Thrift Store, the ice cream parlor, the library or lending by lending a hand in the many campus activities such as the Country Fair and the Arts Alliance concerts.  Help with fundraising efforts is always needed as the organization relies on donations and community support.  Patty Johnson, volunteer coordinator commented "Working with the volunteers always gives me such joy.  I love combining people's talents with the needs of our residents.  It's a win-win combination!"

 

To become a volunteer, make a donation or for more information on Christian City, call 770-964-3301 or go on line www.christiancity.org

Christian City's Arts Alliance Hosts ASO Musicians

March 15 ASO Partnership Night: (Jomal Vailes, Linda Chastang, Smitty Phillips, Lyla McCurdy,
Carol Ellard, Marilyn Longino, David Coxon, Debs MacNellis, and Sandy Coxon).

May 9: Volunteers greeting, handing out programs, & helping residents at ASO performance at Christian City’s Welcome Center Chapel.

Christian City’s Arts Alliance Hosts ASO Musicians

There are times when people need a good reason to get out, enjoy visiting with family, friends and neighbors, and just have a good time. Christian City in Union City provides all this, thanks to a group of volunteers who, three years ago, formed “The Arts Alliance of Christian City”.

The goal of “The Arts Alliance” is to create opportunities for the Christian City community to regularly participate in culturally enriching events, primarily involving the visual and performing arts. And thanks to organizations like the United Community Bank: and people like its President and Chief Operating Officer, David Coxon, these events have become a regular addition to the lives of over 1,000 senior adults who live on the 500-acre Christian City campus.

On May 9th, through the support of The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s “Partners in Performance” program, the Arts Alliance presented Messrs. John Meisner and Christopher Pulgram, featured violinists of the ASO, in a virtuoso performance of a wide range of classical and contemporary music. Mr. Jomal Vailes, ASO Interim Manager of Community Engagements, coordinated the event with Christian City Arts Alliance Chairman Mary Ruth Kimsey, and Debs MacNellis, Christian City Arts Alliance Coordinator.

It is often difficult for some senior adults to attend such outstanding events. So, to see that everyone would have the opportunity to participate, members of the Arts Alliance volunteered their time to provide transportation in passenger vans and golf carts. They picked up residents from all over the campus, including the assisted living facility (Sparks Inn) and the Christian City Convalescent Center.

“We are so pleased to have these opportunities for people with limited access to quality cultural events. Christian City is most grateful to Mary Ruth Kimsey and the wonderful members of the Arts Alliance for their love and sacrificial efforts,” said Bob Crutchfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of Christian City. “They exemplify what “Loving People” is all about.”

Christian City’s motto is “Loving People…Loving People” This could not have been more evident as the Christian City Arts Alliance joined with the ASO and the United Community Bank in helping the senior community of Christian City enjoy a quality evening of performing arts.

For individual or group volunteer opportunities at Christian City contact Patty Johnson 770-703-2614; for performing and sponsorship opportunities contact Debs MacNellis 678-466-1093. Visit http://www.christiancity.org/ to learn more about Christian City.

Christian City Home For Children Charity Golf Tournament Great Success!

Ninety golfers turned out on Monday, May 8^th, to play golf and help raise money to provide food for the Home for Children at Christian City. Even though the weather at the start of the day was drizzly and foggy, the day ended beautifully. All the proceeds from this tournament, aptly named “A Place at the Table”, are used to provide food for the kids at the Home for Children. It costs approximately $500 per month just to feed one cottage. There were many wonderful sponsors of the event, including:

AC Power Heating & Air, Inc.
Accelerized Golf
Allied Healthcare Clinic
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta History Center
Atlanta New Homes Directory
Atlanta Spirit
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Bank of America
Bank of America, Mortgage Division
Barksdale, Aaron
Belk, Newnan
Big Daddy's Cycle World Inc.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Center for Puppetry Arts
Coca~Cola
Community Health Focus
Dazco
Delta
Discount Golf
Fernbank Museum
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Georgia Pacific
Hart, Jeff & Deannie
Heritage Christian Church
HRH - Hilb, Rogal, & Hobbs
Ici Paris
JC Penney's
Keith Brooking Foundation
Kellogg's
Lexus of South Atlanta
MacNellis, Dave & Leah
My Chef Nancy
Parable Christian Store, Newnan
Peggy Slappey Properties, Inc.
Publix, Fayetteville
Pyke & Associates, P.C., Georgia's Estate
Planning and Elder Law Center
Roden, Janet
Ruths' Chris Steakhouse
Six Flags
Southern Limosine
Stone Mountain Park
Target of Newnan
The Reger Group
United Community Bank, Fairburn
UpSwing Golf
Valentino's Italian Carribean Restaurant, PTC
Village Café
Vitali Family Karate
Whitley, Ken
Wyndham Hotel
Zoo Atlanta

The highlights of the tournament included some fabulous hole-in-one prizes furnished by Lexus of South Atlanta and Big Daddy’s Cycle Shop in Fayetteville, lunch furnished by the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in Newnan, and a spectacular dinner feast provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Peachtree City. It was a fun day for all, and most importantly, it helped feed the children at Christian City.