For more than 40 years Christian City has been a beacon of hope and a sanctuary for many in need. That mission is set to transition into a new area of service with the planned residential and day treatment programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

“It’s the beginning of a new initiative at Christian City. It seemed like a real natural fit for this ministry to move into the arena, serving those with developmental disabilities and cognitive challenges,” Children’s Village Chief Operating Officer Philip Kouns said of plans now in process that will bring the new programs to the Christian City campus. “This is a work in progress, with regulations presented through Georgia Mental Health/Development Disabilities/Addictive Diseases (MH/DD/AD). There is a significant hurdle to jump for licensure. So we’re working with them to see where we fit in that continuum. We’re ready to make that commitment and that leap.”

The planned residential setting for the new program will be located on the site of the existing cottages of the Home for Children. It is on one of those cottages that a plaque reads “Metro Civitan Cottage 1969.” Today, Christian City is nearly finished with the new Children’s Village located on the campus a short distance away. Once completed and after the children move in, renovation will begin on the former residences to make way for the new programs. Now nearly 40 years later, Civitan is back to partner with Christian City to make a difference.

“The plan is to renovate the existing four residences,” said past Civitan Governor Wayne Howell as he called on Civitan members across Georgia to assist in the project by participating in a golf tournament fundraiser. Assisting in programs for the developmentally disabled has long been a Civitan mission. “The Fayette County Civitan Club, Line Creek Civitan Club and the Georgia Civitan Foundation have already joined with Christian City on their renovation project by donating $8,000 collectively and are hoping to raise enough money at the golf tournament to furnish all four existing cottages.”

Georgia Civitan Foundation and the Georgia District Civitans will sponsor and host the Christian City Spring Golf Tournament on April 7 at Braelinn Golf Club in Peachtree City. Those interested can register by phone at (770) 703-2636. The entry fee is $100 per player.

“We’re excited about Civitan’s participation. It’s their national mission and emphasis,” said Christian City CEO Bob Crutchfield. “And it was a great opportunity for us to get the impetus to continue what has been developing here for several years at Christian City in this service area.”

The components of service provision for the developmentally disabled in Georgia are undergoing a transition. The initiation of new regulations is being implemented by MH/DD/AD through Georgia Dept. of Human Resources. Under those regulations, Christian City is in the process of determining where its decision to implement new residential and day treatment programs best fits into those regulations and the milieu of services that flow from them.

Christian City will also join forces with the Joseph Sams School in Fayetteville to provide opportunities through an educational component for new program residents.

“Learning is a life-long process. We’re partnering with Joseph Sams School to integrate those principles into our program,” Crutchfield said. “This reinforces a continuous process throughout their life.”

Christian City has long provided residential services to abandoned and abused children, Alzheimer’s patients, seniors and the infirmed. Programs for people with developmental disabilities is now becoming an emerging facet of the services provided at Christian City. Perhaps as central to the theme of service provision as anything, is the ability to ensure successful community integrate for the person receiving care. It is a challenge that many organizations attempt but at which not all succeed. But for Christian City, the track record of success has long been established.

“Our upcoming program is unique in that it’s not free-standing. It’s a unique opportunity to have an integrated community where the resident’s develop in place,” Kouns explained. “Residents can have their needs met here, so they can move from residential to assisted living or they might later need convalescent care. We’re here to provide those needs as they progress through their lives. In the meantime, they are living a fruitful and valued life based on their individual abilities. So we’re able to provide them with job opportunities on and off campus, integration with our senior community and places of service and to be fully integrated in a safe and secure environment. This really fits the community concept of mental health today. So it’s a community-based, family-focused environment of care that functions long-term over time with an array of services in place.”

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