Empower Lives: Join the 50 Mile Journey

Christian Altomare is a recent graduate of Lumpkin County High School who has been inspired to make a difference in his community. For Suicide Prevention Month, on Saturday September 28th he will conquer running his longest run, which will be 50 miles from Dahlonega to Sandy Springs. His inspiration came from wanting to do something to inspire people that they are not ALONE in their battles and there are people that CAN help you during the dark times. He has decided to run with a purpose so 100% of the proceeds from this GoFundMe page will be given to Jeremiah’s Place in Dahlonega, Georgia. You can support Christian by sending words of encouragement or donating to this GoFundMe page.

Jeremiah’s Place was founded in 2014 to empower homeless families to achieve sustainable independence. Jeremiah’s Place (North Georgia Interfaith Ministries, Inc.) is the only transitional housing program in Lumpkin County. With the boundless energy and generosity of loyal volunteers and donors, the organization has served more than 200 individuals, 108 of whom are children.

Their programs provide a safe, temporary home, support services, one-on-one mentoring, life skills classes including budgeting, parenting, and spiritual growth, advancement in education and career, community networking and relationship-building, and housing strategies for families during their transition out of homelessness. Their goal is to help families make this journey in the best, fastest, and most holistic, transformational, and community-oriented way possible.

They realize that the trauma of poverty and homelessness does not magically disappear just because we provide a roof over the heads of their clients. The true test comes when clients leave the safety net of our property and program and begin applying the knowledge and skills they have acquired into practice in a new environment. Individuals who complete their onsite program are invited to participate in their offsite program, where they continue to meet with them weekly and have access to their resources, classes, and more, as they begin their new lives off campus.

Alumni successes include obtaining GEDs and college degrees, learning a new trade, reuniting with their children who have been in the care of DFCS, graduating Family Treatment Court, and graduating to higher-earning jobs with long-term career potential. The population they serve may be small, but the benefits of this program are life-changing.