Decatur Presbyterian Church Takes the First Step in Grants

The Church Provides $50,000 each to two local non-profits, Hagar’s House and ‘A Home For Everyone in Dekalb County’, to serve unhoused and displaced persons.

Decatur Presbyterian Church, founded in 1825 and incorporated in DEKALB County in 1827, as part of its Bicentennial Celebration and Capital Campaign to Renew God’s Church, Strengthening Our Mission, announced two gifts to two local non-profits, Hagar’s House and A Home for Everyone in Dekalb County.

Decatur, Georgia—Decatur Presbyterian Church announced two $50,000 grants to local nonprofits as part of its year-long Bicentennial Celebration and Capital Campaign. The Bicentennial celebration honors the wonderful music and relationships with mission partners such as Agnes Scott College and Columbia Theological Seminary.

As part of the bicentennial, the church launched a Capital Campaign to "Renew God’s Church," ensuring that it was well-prepared to fulfill its mission for the next 200 years. The Session, the church’s governing body, decided that 10% of all funds received should be set aside for local and international mission projects.

The campaign launched on March 2, with the announcement that the church had already received pledges totaling over $2.5 million and cash donations exceeding $1.4 million. This allowed the church to make grants immediately so that the funds could begin to serve the unhoused and displaced persons in Decatur and DeKalb County.

Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Todd Speed encouraged the Session to take this step forward, saying, “Decatur Presbyterian Church has an incredible legacy of mission work over the past 200 years. By setting aside 10% of all funds collected, potentially totaling over $350,000, this church can continue its legacy of giving and make a positive impact on our community.”

Women’s Workforce Transition Program January 2025 Capital Campaign Appeal

A Home For Everyone In DeKalb, Inc. (hereafter referred to as AHFEID), is coordinating securing $500,000 to renovate and furnish a multi-person zoned building at 232 East Lake Drive in the Oakhurst Community, to provide first year operating expenses, and provide additional multi-year maintenance costs for a first-in Georgia Women’s Workforce Transition Program. Initial professional projection for renovation costs is $385,000. First year operating cost support will be $100,000. And $15,000 will be for multi-year maintenance support.

Hagar's House, the only emergency family shelter in DeKalb County, is seeking help after it was damaged by Helene in September.

The Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM), the nonprofit that operates the shelter, says its in need of donations "as no additional funding for the damages has been received from government sources." “Our commitment to keeping families together is unique,” Marlene White, executive director of DCM, said in a statement. “As the only emergency family shelter in DeKalb County, we are painfully aware that each day Hagar’s House is closed, families needing our help may endure separation and be forced to seek shelter from organizations not equipped to keep them together. Or, even worse, they may remain unhoused altogether.” According to DCM, the impact at Hagar's House from Helene included stormwater infiltrating the roof, "impacting an enormous portion of the facility, and leaving destruction and harmful bacteria behind." The organization houses up to five families at a time, DCM said, and funds will be used to rebuild Hagar's House "so DCM can continue its mission of providing safe, stable homes, and brighter futures for families in crisis."

Decatur Presbyterian Church

DPC has been integral to the Decatur, GA, community since 1825. We look forward in faith to our Bicentennial in 2025, serving our community and the world and affirming our goal: to Worship, Love, and Serve.

For More Information About the Decatur Presbyterian Church’s Bicentennial Celebration:

· Call the church Office at 404-378-1777

• https://www.dpchurch.org

For More Information about Decatur Presbyterian Church:

Church Office: 404-378-1777

Dudley Larus, DPC Communications, Clerk of the Session

678-863-4239

dudleylarus@gmail.com