There’s a new adventure in store for The Real Life Center (RLC) in Tyrone.

RLC is a non-profit organization that provides help for families and individuals who are going through an unexpected difficult circumstance by giving them a means to cope with the financial, emotional, and spiritual hardships of life. What sets the center apart from other organizations that provide clothing, food and assistance to those in need is that RLC commits to walk alongside its clients and help them through the trials of life with a custom-designed plan which specifically addresses the challenges of their situation.

Currently, the staff and volunteers of are renovating the old Mundy’s Pharmacy building at 992 Senoia Road in the heart of Tyrone to open a thrift shop to help provide additional financial support for clients.

“It is our hope that the store will provide additional funding to allow us to have a greater impact with the families we see who seek our help during the tough times,” says RLC Executive Director Cathy Berggren. “The needs are always great. Divorce, job loss and health issues are among the reasons families connect to our center, and most often their main concern is the need to hold on to their homes.”

The center provides a safe environment where each person can build relationships, receive encouragement, access needed assistance, and obtain referrals to additional community resources. This collaboration of resources helps equip individuals and families to navigate through their situation.

Financial needs are one of the greatest ways RLC can assist its clients. Since the beginning of the year more than 1,500 families have accessed services through the organization, which include a food pantry, clothes closet, career help, financial counseling and budgeting, support groups, auto repair and mentoring. The center distributes an average of 4,500 lbs. of food each month. The active caseload is 426 families.

“We are excited about the new adventure -and an adventure it is! - that God has given us,” Berggren says. “It is about being good stewards of the extra “stuff” that God continues to bless the center with and being able to convert those donations back into financial assistance to families in need. More and more we see families that need less of the ‘stuff’ and more help financially as they struggle to keep their homes, etc. during the difficult times. This is just one way we can help bring those dollars in. We are grateful for the building, but it is definitely in need of some renovation and good cleaning.”

The greatest immediate need is for volunteers to help clean-up and renovate the building. Workdays will be held each Saturday through October from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eric and Michelle Deitrich have been instrumental in getting the renovation project underway. Berggren says there is a need for someone to lay flooring, someone to help build partitions for dressing rooms and a built-in counter area; drywall and people who can hang it; and painters and those who can help on the general workdays. Donations of flooring, a commercial steamer, supplies and financial contributions are needed. By November, Berggren says they are hoping to finish the renovation and start setting the store up for business.

“We hope that not only will the thrift store provide additional funding for the Center - and ultimately families in our area, but that it will also be a great place for the community to get involved,” Berggren says.

Once the thrift store opens in December, volunteers will be needed on an ongoing basis to work in the store.

“We will also be needing your gently used donations such as household items, clothing, furniture and kids items for the store,” Berggren says.

The Real Life Center was founded by Dogwood Church (formerly Braelinn Church) in 1998 and partners with additional churches, community organizations and businesses. There is no charge for its services, which are available to all persons without regard to race, income, gender, or religion.

For more information about the thrift shop, Saturday workdays or for assistance from RLC contact Cathy Berggren at cberggren@reallifecenter.org or call the Real Life Center at 770-631-9334.

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