Come to Christian City... for Answers

It has been said “Aging is a process. We’re all in it. It begins at birth and ends at death.” The best way to enjoy the process of getting older is to eliminate as many unexpected events as possible. It is important to educate yourself about what options are available to you as a senior in regards to housing, services and health care.

At Christian City, we look forward to working with individuals and families who are doing their homework and are getting educated about services for seniors. As we move from one stage of our life to another, we should be making plans and getting prepared for what may lie ahead. Few people make major decisions throughout their life without getting information to support those decisions first. Making major decisions about your future as a senior should not be any different.

In order to gain the peace of mind and education you need to be prepared for the events of your later years, you should consider beginning now with the information gathering process. Invest a few hours to explore the “what if’s” of the future in case you or a loved one has a major change in health or ability. Perhaps you are an adult child and want to gather information for your parents….your inquiries are always welcome at Christian City. We look forward to meeting with you and answering all questions big and small.

Located in Union City, Christian City is home to over 1,000 seniors. Christian City boasts a vibrant retirement community including life-lease patio homes, options for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, apartments for those on limited income and facilities for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. For more information,or for a free tour call our admissions office at 770-703-2600 or access www.christiancity.org.

Christian City…A City Within A City

Nestled on a 500 acre campus among stately pines and pleasant walkways, sits a beacon of light to many…Christian City. With the humble motto of “Loving people…loving people” Christian City reaches out to young and old and those in-between by providing safe homes to abandoned and abused children, affordable housing to seniors on limited income, as well as providing professional care to those in need of assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Additionally, Christian City is a well respected community for active retirees. Seniors can live out their latter years in a secure neighborhood setting with opportunities to participate in fun activities, to make new friends, to attend worship, to do their banking, socializing, and to get involved helping others through volunteer work. Christian City is affectionately referred to as a “City within a City” because of all the conveniences it offers and the strong sense of community that the residents feel.

It all started around a kitchen table. Back in the early 1960’s Ms. Millard Price was looking for a way to provide a safe place for homeless children. She met with her Minister at Southwest Christian church, Jim Dyer, who agreed that this was a worthy endeavor and a calling from God. Others began to get involved and share the vision, especially members from numerous independent Christian Churches throughout Georgia and beyond. Ms. Price offered to bear the cost of the first cottage, and Dr. and Mrs. Byron Harper, Jr., central participants in the visionary team, offered to donate the first 50 acres. The dream was becoming a reality, and the mission was clear: To minister to the needs of families with particular emphasis on children, the aged, and the infirm, by providing residential, health and social services in accordance with the principles of the Christian Faith.

The first of eight cottages opened on Valentine’s Day in 1965 with eight little boys. Full time houseparents provide a nurturing family environment complete with sit down dinners, household responsibilities and traditions that create a sense of belonging. The funds to provide this care are raised through individuals, civic and professional groups, corporate sponsors, and the faith community, along with some support from the Department of Family and Children’s Services. Over the past 43 years, Christian City has been “home” to over 1,000 abandoned, abused, and neglected children. Licensed for up to 64 children, Christian City also provides foster care placement with well qualified Christian families.

A few years following completion of the Home for Children, construction began on hundreds of patio homes for active seniors followed by nearly 300 apartments for seniors on limited incomes.

As the needs of the residents continued to grow, so did Christian City! It was a natural progression to begin construction of an assisted living facility, a skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center, and eventually a full continuum of care for the aging all on one campus.

At Christian City, the “future is now” and the needs of many are at our doorstep. A brand new state-of-the-art Children’s Village will be completed this summer. When the original children’s cottages are vacated, they will be renovated to make room for a new ministry for developmentally disabled “adult” children.

Over the past 43 years, Christian City’s campus has grown from 50 acres down a quiet country road, to 500 acres bustling with life and filled with hope for over 1,000 residents. The dreamers keep dreaming… and God keeps providing.

Christian City is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.christiancity.org/ or call at 770-703-2636.

Christian City Named Georgia's Best Management Company

Christian City was presented the award for "Best Management Company in the State of Georgia" at a recent 2008 Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association luncheon held at the Airport Hilton. Paul Baker, Director of the Retirement Division at Christian City accepted the award from Valerie Todaro, CEO of Georgia HAP (Housing Assistance Payments). Over 1,000 residents live on Christian City's 500 acre campus which offers quality homes in a community environment for those on limited income, active retirees, seniors in need of assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation and Alzheimer's disease care. The Children's Village at Christian City provides safe, family centered homes with full time houseparents to abandoned and abused children. Located in Union City, Christian City is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization and is always in need of volunteers and donations. For more information on Christian City call 770-703-2636 or access www.christiancity.org.

Pictured (l-r) are: Christian City's Shirley Myers, Kaye Fogg, Paul Baker, Director of Retirement Division accepting the award from Valerie Todaro, CEO of Georgia HAP Administrators, Christian City's Paula Brown and Jeanette Payne.

VOLUNTEERING GIVES MEANING TO RETIREMENT

Experts tell us that an increasing number of Americans can expect to live as many retirement years as they have had in their vocational careers. On this “second time round”, retirees are not seeking financial benefit and career advancement. Many, having secured a measure of financial freedom, now seek to invest their time in activities that bring lasting meaning and purpose. They realize that finding a passion for making a difference “makes all the difference” in both their emotional and physical well being.

Ms. Jill Growney, a 21 year resident of Christian City, embodies this growing trend among seniors. “While I was working as a teacher, my life was busy with the responsibilities of my job – classroom, conferences, lesson plans. I did not have much of a concept for my retirement years other than some traveling – but that is no longer the case,” she stated. Ms. Growney notes that her life has certainly changed for the good since having the time and opportunity to invest in the lives of others; “I had always been a people person, yet after the death of my husband I found myself alone. In spending my time investing in the needs of others, I have found new ways.. meaningful ways, to enjoy my life."

Indeed Ms. Growney has! In addition to the recreational activities she enjoys, her desire to serve others has brought her into (among others) a meaningful role as a volunteer chaplain to the Christian City community. For over ten years, her love of ministry has been evident as she has led a weekly bible study for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. She warms the room with her bright smile and residents look forward to hearing her uplifting message each week. She expressed, “My service as a volunteer has definitely changed me – I find so much enjoyment and purpose in helping others. My life now has a new sense of worth. ”I recently started square dance lessons – I say to myself....“I can’t believe I am doing this!”

Located on a beautiful 500 acre campus in Union City, Christian City is home to over 1,000 senior residents and is always in need of enthusiastic volunteers like Ms. Growney. In addition to being an active retirement community, Christian City offers housing for those on limited income, assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation, convalescent care and care for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Less fortunate children also live on campus at The Children's Village. For more information or a free tour please call 770-703-2600 or access www.christiancity.org
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WORLD GYM DONATES CARLOADS OF GIFTS TO CHRISTIAN CITY

Fayette County World Gym employees delivered car loads of gifts for the children who live at the Home for Children/Children's Village at Christian City. World Gym members and employees from all three locations came together to make the holidays special by choosing children to sponsor from an angel tree.

Located in Union City, Christian City has been providing loving homes to abandoned and abused children on their campus for over forty years. Sponsorships and financial support are needed year round.To find out more about Christian City and how you can make a donation, become a volunteer or Sponsor A Child, please call 770-703-2636 or access http://www.christiancity.org/

CHRISTIAN CITY APPOINTS THOMPKINS AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Christian City President and CEO Robert Crutchfield announced today the appointment of Mr. Terry Thompkins as Executive Vice President for Senior Operations at Christian City.

"Mr. Thompkins brings a wide range of expertise and experience to Christian City. I am impressed with Terry's record of success in the senior services industry and feel certain that Christian City will flourish with the addition of Mr. Thompkins to our staff," Mr. Crutchfield stated.

Terry is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Business Management. He received his Master of Divinity from Emory University, Candler School of Theology, and is an Ordained Methodist Minister. He holds a license as a Nursing Home Administrator in the states of Georgia and Oklahoma as well as being a certified Retirement Home Professional through the American Association of Homes and Services for The Aging.

Terry served as Executive Director of Wesley Woods, Inc from 1995-2005, and has worked in the Services and Housing for the Aging field for over 15 years. Active in the community, he has been a member of numerous Boards of Directors including YMCA of Newnan, Georgia Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, The Keith Brooking Children's Foundation and the United Way.

Mr. Thompkins comments, "Christian City has a long and strong heritage of meeting the needs of those we serve in an outstanding fashion. I am honored to serve the residents and employees in this tremendous ministry and look forward to the future with great hope and expectations."

Conveniently located in Union City, just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Christian City is home to over 1,000 seniors and operates with a staff of more than 400 employees and 200 volunteers. Christian City boasts a vibrant retirement community including life-lease patio homes, options for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, apartments for those on limited income and facilities for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

As a nonprofit organization, Christian City also cares for abandoned and abused children on campus through their Home For Children/Children's Village, and will soon launch a new program offering residential care for the developmentally disabled. For more information call 770-703-2636 or access http://www.christiancity.org/.

LOCAL CIVITAN CLUBS SUPPORT CHRISTIAN CITY'S NEW INITIATIVE FOR COGNITIVELY CHALLENGED (DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED)

Fayette County Civitans, the Line Creek Civitans and the Civitan Foundation have enthusiastically gotten behind Christian City's new developing initiative to serve cognitively challenged adults by providing residential care in a community environment on their campus.

Cottages previously used by the Home For Children will become available for use when the children are relocated to a new Children's Village under construction, due to open in spring 2008.

Local Civitan Clubs, long known for their commitment to the developmentally disabled, are leading the way in terms of support for the new project by donating $8,000 collectively toward retrofitting and furnishing the existing cottages to ready them for the new tenants.

Christian City, located in Union City, is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization with a long history of ministering to those needing a safe place to call home including abandoned and neglected children, seniors on limited income, those who suffer from Alzheimer's Disease, retirees, those in need of assisted living and convalescent care. For more information on Christian City, to make a donation or to volunteer, please call 770-703-2636 or visit their website at http://www.christiancity.org/