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Nonprofits create space for those in need By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Two Roswell nonprofits are teaming up to create a more stable and enriching environment for women and children who have experienced homelessness. Sunshine on a Ranney Day, a local nonprofit that specializes in building custom rooms for children with special needs, is committing resources to help the Drake House expand its programming and remodel its entire basement complex and teen spaces. Founded in 2012, Sunshine on a Ranney Day was created with the idea that every child should have their own unique space. Drake House, founded in 2004, has helped close to 500 families get back on their feet after suffering hardships. Its after-school program provides tutoring, enrichment activities and social-emotional learning skills for up to two years for elementary and middle school students who have experienced a level trauma from being homeless, said Nesha Mason, Drake House executive director. The organization also serves single moms. Over the past couple of years, Mason said space has been the biggest challenge, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it became financially unfeasible to expand its facility. So, she said, the nonprofit shifted its focus to expanding its programming and being more intentional with its existing space, putting the needs of its youth at the forefront while sacrificing its need for more administrative space. Mason said that before the pandemic, the Drake House served approximately 30 children, but after the remodeling is completed, it plans to serve up to 50 kids. The goal is to go from a very hard-lined, classroom-type of environment to one that is softer and more inviting to the kids. This will help them manage a range of traumatic
Milton adopts aid agreement with North Fulton cities By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com
CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA
Sunshine on a Ranney Day Executive Director Joe Lane and Drake House Executive Director Nesha Mason discuss plans to remodel the Drake House basement complex and teen spaces. Shown is one of the basement classrooms that serves as a meeting area and storage for winter coats. stressors that can result in educational and developmental difficulties. According to data from the Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 45,500 children experience homelessness each year in Georgia, and those children are four times more likely to be developmentally delayed and twice as likely to have learning disabilities. The Drake House’s wish list includes an art room, library, study space and meeting space for social-emotional learning. Eventually, she said, they hope to add a dance and yoga space, Mason said. “We want to provide an environment that is more enriching and embracing and trauma-informed while recognizing the significance and importance of the kids having
a dedicated space,” Mason said. “For Sunshine on a Ranney Day to take on our space as their project and bring their resources to the table is a tremendous blessing.” Sunshine on a Ranney Day Executive Director Joe Lane said the plan is to start the project in May, with help from Randall-Paulson Architects and Swinerton Construction. By partnering with local businesses and donors, Roswell-based Sunshine on a Ranney Day provides no-cost wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms and in-home therapy rooms. Lane said his organization’s partnership with the Drake House is unique because the types of children that they serve need
See NONPROFITS, Page 8
MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council approved an automatic aid agreement Feb. 7 between the Milton Fire Department and the cities of Johns Creek, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Alpharetta. Automatic aid allows the fire station closest to an incident to respond, regardless of the city in which it occurred. The partnership represents a significant advancement in the Milton Fire Department’s ability to handle major incidents by seamlessly working with cities throughout North Fulton County. Milton Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa said the National Fire Protection Association recommends having 17 firefighters on scene for a 2,000-squarefoot residential structure fire. However, Milton typically staffs between 15 and 19 firefighters on a shift, so if they respond to a fire and calls continue to
See COUNCIL, Page 29