2024 Annual Report
ALL THINGS MADE NEW
New team members, new partnerships, new opportunities: 2024 was a year of upgrades and additions. Page 4
FORMER RESIDENT, FUTURE MENTOR
One resident’s story of staying close to God and giving back. Page 6
2024 By The Numbers
WOMEN AND CHILDREN SERVED AT THE SHELTER
DAYS AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY
MAINTAINED OR INCREASED INCOME DURING THEIR STAY PARTICIPATED IN FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING
ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN GROUP DAILY DEVOTIONS, WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES, AND A MONTHLY SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT DAY TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH
HOURS SERVED BY OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS
SECURED PERMANENT HOUSING
BUILT THEIR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE VEHICLES
MEALS PROVIDED AT OUR SHELTER
RECORDED CALLS WERE RECEIVED FROM WOMEN NEEDING A PLACE TO STAY. A LISTENING EAR, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES WERE GIVEN TO EACH ONE TO HELP MEET INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS.
Beacon of Light
Dear Most Amazing Partners,
Wow, what a year! My Sister’s Place (MSP) was faced with many challenges in 2024, but the Lord guided us throughout, and we ended the year with many positive outcomes, as you’ll see in the pages that follow. For example, both our shelter and resale boutique have a brand-new look after unexpected damage and subsequent renovations this past summer. God used the bad for good, and through it all, we saw the incredible generosity of our friends and even made some new friends along the way. We are blessed to live in a community with such a big heart for women and children experiencing homelessness.
We experienced growth at the shelter with the addition of two new positions. These new positions furthered our ability to provide individualized care to each woman and child and increased our resources to operate the shelter well. We also engaged a new business partner who is providing counseling services, and there are plans to launch a mentoring program in early 2025. Most importantly, we witnessed the spiritual fruit of our labor. This past year, we saw many lives turn to the Lord with a fresh revelation of His love for them.
As I reflect on the past year, I find that in many ways, My Sister’s Place is like a lighthouse in our community. A lighthouse guides ships safely through the darkness and treacherous
waters, and into safe harbors. By ensuring safe passage, lighthouses play a vital role in preventing shipwrecks and protecting lives and cargo. Indeed, we are a harbor for women and children who find themselves caught in the storms of life and have nowhere else to turn. While their essential needs are met, our residents are provided with the opportunity to pivot as a ship would to a new journey where an abundant life in Christ can be realized. Our team comes alongside them by providing life skills training, one-to-one coaching, counseling, and guidance as they pursue goals that lead to their independence. We offer them a safe place to be vulnerable, to heal, and to grow.
We are honored to be a part of their journey by serving as a lighthouse for Jesus, who is the light of the world (John 8:12). Thank you for being a part of their journey, too.
May God bless you abundantly,
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14
Jennifer Bero Executive Director
All Things Made New
WELCOME NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Welcome Candace and Tiffany! This year, we’ve enhanced our resident services by adding two key roles to our team: a Case Manager and a Shelter Specialist. The addition of these two positions has contributed greatly towards the goals of healing, growth, and housing stability for our residents.
Candace Turner, our new Case Manager, meets with our residents regularly to ensure they are well-supported as they work toward their goals. She stays current on community resources and advocates for our residents as appropriate to support them in their progress toward independence.
Tiffany Nance, our Shelter Specialist, coordinates meal and food donations from the community. She also handles the transition of living spaces between residents and is available to transport clients to essential appointments when needed.
HEALING THROUGH A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Many of our residents have endured significant trauma in their lives, which can be a contributing factor to housing instability. Our team recognized that more support was needed to strengthen and improve the overall mental health of the women and children in our care, as well as to support our staff who are subject to the daily stresses of supporting others enduring life trauma. In November, after much prayer and consideration, we launched a partnership with The Ministry Village to provide licensed professional counseling to our residents and staff. The Ministry Village is a faith-based professional counseling center that provides a safe, non-judgmental space to facilitate personal growth and healing. They provide their services at a reduced rate, allowing us to offer a higher level of mental health care for our residents and staff. We are grateful to their Executive Director, Scott Dakin, and Cyndil Healan, LPC, for facilitating this partnership. Special thanks to Asbury Chapel for providing a portion of the funding for this vital service!
Candace Turner Case Manager
Tiffany Nance Shelter Specialist
INTRODUCING OUR NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL
In December 2024, an Advisory Council was formed to provide the Board with strategic guidance and directional support, especially as it relates to our plans for expansion. The Council’s members are seasoned business and organization leaders who share a passion for MSP’s mission. The primary goal of the Council is to expand the reach of My Sister’s Place, bringing greater awareness of its mission, goals, needs, and impact. Thanks to Howard and Berly Baker, Greg and Christy Duriez, Darla Eden and Michael Lipsitt, Kris and Cindy Maynard, Dave and Beckie Smith, and Greg and Lynn Syfan for their commitment to the mission and future of MSP. We are excited to see what new insights and connections the Lord brings out of this incredible group of leaders!
Howard and Berly Baker
Greg and Christy Duriez
Darla Eden and Michael Lipsitt
Kris and Cindy Maynard
Dave and Beckie Smith
Greg and Lynn Syfan
COMING SOON IN 2025: SISTERS OF HOPE
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
I Thessalonians 5:11
Soon we will be launching Sisters of Hope, a group of dedicated volunteers whose purpose will be to provide an opportunity for the women of My Sister’s Place to experience joy and growth in their lives by participating in a one-on-one mentoring friendship. With in-depth training provided by MSP staff, the Sisters of Hope volunteers will seek to build an intentional relationship with our residents that can extend beyond the typical 100-day stay to encourage their continued spiritual and emotional growth.
If you are interested in participating in this life-changing program, please contact Sarah Morton, our Volunteer Coordinator, at info@my-sisters-place.org.
Resident Story
Former resident. Future mentor. One woman’s inspiring story of staying close to God during her journey from homelessness to a home of her own!
By the time Nefertti arrived in Georgia in 2022, she was out of gas, out of money, and had nowhere to stay. She knew God had a plan and would make a way for her even when it seemed hopeless. Her family was able to provide a few days’ stay at a hotel while she began the search for temporary housing. Her first stop was an emergency shelter that provided for her immediate needs with a short-term stay. The stipulation was that she would need to leave the shelter by 7:00 am and return no earlier than 4:00 pm each day. With no friends or family in the area, Nefertti began calling churches and other shelters to see if they needed volunteers during the day.
My Sister’s Place was the first ministry to respond to her call. According to Nefertti, “The very first day I volunteered, I shared with the team that I was looking for a job. They told me the [resale] boutique was hiring. I started the very next day. It was my first job in Georgia.” Having recently endured the death of her brother, Nefertti found it very comforting to work in an environment that played gospel music all day. Once her time was up at the emergency shelter, she was invited to live at My Sister’s Place and participate in our program. She would later tell us that our faith-based
program “kept [her] close to God.” Once Nefertti completed the program, she was offered one of our transitional housing units, where she would stay for one year. At around this same time, our team offered her a job as a Shelter Advocate. Nefertti was a great encouragement to the MSP residents. Her optimism and trust in God helped others believe they too would find a way out of their current situations. Reflecting on her time spent working with our residents, Nefertti stated that this job was “one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.”
I thank God for My Sister’s Place. They have been such a blessing for me and to me.
Former resident, Nefertti
Today, Nefertti has a job with Aramark, one of the largest hospitality companies in the U.S. She has her own apartment and will soon be moving into a house. She also plans to participate in “Sisters of Hope,” a new initiative to facilitate one-on-one mentor relationships with our residents. When you hear Nefertti’s story, you realize that My Sister’s Place is so much more than just a shelter. It is a home where women and mothers with children can find hope, community, and a way out of extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Nefertti shared with us, “My Sisters Place played a huge role in me being able to stay out of homelessness with their love, kindness, and compassion. I’ve been able to stay on my feet throughout the beginning of my journey. I thank God for My Sister’s Place. They have been such a blessing for me and to me. I hope to do so much more with them in the future.”
Become a Hope Hero and make a life-changing impact on women and children experiencing homelessness in our community. With your monthly gift, you will immediately provide critical shelter, clothing, life skills training, and most importantly, a deeper understanding of the love and grace of God that brings Hope for a brighter future. Join us and be the Hero these women and children need to find a new beginning.
With your monthly support, women and children can find hope at our ministry.
$10 / month
can provide transportation to and from work or job interviews
$25 / month
can provide daily nutritious meals so moms and their kids can focus on rebuilding their lives
$50 / month $100 / month
can provide electricity and Wi-Fi for the shelter, which are critical for job & housing searches
can provide assistance with move-in costs to secure permanent housing Give Today
my-sisters-place.org/projecthope
Stronger Together
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
In addition to counseling sessions with Ministry Village, the residents of MSP participated in the L.I.F.E. program at Family Promise, where they received classes on important life skills such as parenting, healthy living, job skills, career development, and renter’s rights. Goodwill of North Georgia visited the shelter and spoke with the women about employment opportunities and furthering their education.
48% BY THE NUMBERS OF RESIDENTS IN 2024 WERE CHILDREN
$30 BY THE NUMBERS PER DAY IS THE COST TO FEED AND HOUSE EACH RESIDENT
We also partnered with Bank of America for financial literacy training. Residents participated in six weeks of classes from their Better Money Habits ® course. Topics covered included day-to-day money management concepts like saving, budgeting, credit, and more.
A HEART TO SERVE
We are grateful to the many local churches who support My Sister’s Place with both their prayers and their financial contributions. One of these very special churches is Lanier Christian Church, led by Minister David Simpson and Associate Minister Mike Thompson.
Whenever a need arises, all we have to do is ask and these folks are here, ready to serve. In November, they treated our residents and staff to a delicious Thanksgiving feast prepared by Minister Simpson himself (with a little help from the Wednesday Night Group). Thank you for always making us feel so welcome and reminding us that we are all special in God’s eyes.
“In the same way, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life.”
Luke 15:10
BY THE NUMBERS
0%
GOVERNMENT FUNDING IS RECEIVED BY MY SISTER’S PLACE ORGANIZATION
GROWING IN FAITH
Citygate Network is North America’s oldest and largest community of independent, faith-based crisis shelters and life-transformation centers. As a member of this network, we receive ministry support through professional development,
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
We are grateful for the spiritual and financial support we receive from Free Chapel. One of their members, Alex Encarnacion, leads an impactful 5-week Bible study series entitled “Who you are in Christ” that is repeatedly offered for shelter residents. This fall, Alex hosted our residents at the Divine Conference at Free Chapel. It was a transformative weekend for our ladies, with several of them responding to the altar call. We know their lives have forever been impacted by the love and grace of God. Thank you, Free Chapel, for providing complimentary tickets!
100% BY THE NUMBERS
MINISTRY WE ARE A
networking, online resources, and spiritual encouragement. In June, our Executive Director, Shelter Manager, and Development Coordinator traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to take part in “Against All Odds,” the Annual Conference and Exposition for Citygate Network. For three days, our staff participated in workshops and general sessions led by cutting-edge practitioners from around the country. It was a rare opportunity to hear directly from these innovative and inspiring leaders. We returned from Lexington with renewed strength and energy for the mission of My Sister’s Place, along with valuable new connections with other ministry leaders.
Hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9:30am - 4:30pm
My Sister’s Resale Boutique
2024 was a year filled with both challenges and opportunities for our incredible team at My Sister’s Resale Boutique. Despite facing severe roof and water damage, our staff demonstrated remarkable perseverance, coming together as a team to do whatever was needed for the repairs to be completed as quickly as possible.
AROUND TOWN
Our boutique was featured in the Around Town Gainesville video series produced by Kathline Collins and the team at Collins Property Group. This series is a wonderful introduction to the amazing Gainesville/Hall County community!
Throughout this difficult period, we were deeply touched by the outpouring of support from our customers. Many called or stopped by to let us know they were praying for us and eagerly awaiting our reopening. What began as a daunting mess was ultimately transformed into a beautiful new look for our store!
Thanks to a generous donation from Signs By Tomorrow, we also received a new outdoor sign, enhancing our visibility. We celebrated our fresh start with a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by friends from the community and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
Scan the QR code to watch our Boutique Manager, Debbie Scout, featured in the Around Town video.
FASHION FOR GOOD
We were thrilled last October when Futures Church of Alpharetta and Gwinnett reached out to let us know we had been selected as their partner charity for the bU Gala! It was a beautiful night of entertainment, including a fashion show featuring clothing from My Sister’s Resale Boutique, as well as many other local designers. Attendees enjoyed food, live music, and the opportunity to “pour into their community.” Funds raised from this spectacular event will be used by the church to refurbish our shelter bedrooms in the spring of 2025. Now this is fashion for good!
BY THE NUMBERS
54,442
TOTAL ITEMS WERE SOLD AT THE BOUTIQUE IN 2024
In May, Kohl's managers from across the region arrived at our donation center and boutique, ready to make a difference. They diligently sized and color-blocked the entire store and helped organize our storage room and trailer. On top of their hard work, they also made a generous financial donation to My Sister’s Place shelter. It was a wonderful day, and we are incredibly grateful for their support!
“I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Philippians 1:3 NIV
VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
The ZF Group visited the boutique during United Way of Hall County Week of Caring. This team deserves a big thank you for taking care of our repair list in just one day!
We have a group of lovely ladies who have become Thursday morning “besties.” When you volunteer at My Sister’s Resale Boutique, you’re not just a volunteer…you’re family!
A great big thank you to the Jackson EMC volunteers who spent the day at the boutique tackling numerous projects inside and outside. They expanded the checkout desk, installed a Ring camera for extra security, installed a utility sink, painted, and repaired tables and mannequins. They accomplished so much in just two days, and we are very grateful for their support.
2,223 BY THE NUMBERS DONATIONS WERE PROCESSED AT OUR RESALE BOUTIQUE IN 2024
Financial Summary
Expenses: $915,781
My Sister’s Place is debt-free and accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Membership gives our donors and supporters the added trust of financial accountability and transparency so you can be confident your gifts and donations are being stewarded well. For more information, please visit ecfa.org.
Looking Ahead
We know that in 2023, we experienced over 640 women who called wanting shelter, who were eligible for our services, that we could not help because we didn’t have the space. This was the first time we had actually counted the number we’ve had to turn away simply for lack of capacity. This shocked the Board and staff, who responded by changing our expansion plan that will require a new site for the shelter. So, we are actively looking for property with at least five acres. The Board recognizes that we are totally dependent upon God leading this effort. Whether and how the community will support our desire to expand is in His hands. Our responsibility is to be faithful and bold in responding to the need of serving the precious lives He leads to us.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
The Board recognizes that we are totally dependent upon God leading this effort... Our responsibility is to be faithful and bold in responding to the need of serving the precious lives He leads to us.
Board Chair, Dave Smith
The expansion of My Sister’s Place shelter is one of the biggest endeavors our organization has ever undertaken. We hope you will consider partnering with us as we seek to broaden our impact. If you would like to support our expansion efforts, My Sister’s Place has a designated account established with the North Georgia Community Foundation.
For more information, please contact our Development Coordinator, Angie Brooks, at info@my-sisters-place.org.
Thank You to Our Donors and Partners
All of us at My Sister’s Place are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our generous donors and partners. Your contributions have been instrumental in restoring hope for our residents and helping them overcome the obstacles that led to their previously unstable
living situations. Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Our team meets weekly to pray, and we are praying for God’s abundant blessings to fill your lives!
2024 Grantors
Mary Allen Branan Foundation
Dave Smith, Board Chair
Cal Stowell, Treasurer
Donna Stringer, Secretary
Polly Bennett
Danielle Butler
Ron Cox
Anne Dittman
Judi Garofalo
Andreina Hernandez
Board of Directors
Sandhi Kozsuch Emily Rabb
Michele Rasmussen Galen Reavis
Joseph Sherman
Lynn Syfan
Evelyn Reynolds, Director Emeritus
Sylvia Stoltzfus, Director Emeritus
Marty Owens, Director Emeritus
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10
When you give to My Sister’s Place you are making a difference in the lives of the women and children we serve. Your donations allow us to provide them with a welcoming home, spiritual growth opportunities, community connections, and life skills training to support their journey to housing independence.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. From sorting donations to building maintenance and answering phone calls – the smallest of acts can make a big difference in restoring the lives of the women and children we serve.
SHOP
My Sister’s Place Resale Boutique is a high-quality thrift store and plays an integral part in supporting the women and children at our shelter. You can support our resale boutique by shopping, volunteering, or donating gently used clothing, accessories, and home décor.
PRAY
We believe in the power of prayer. It has been our guiding force throughout the life of this organization. Please join us as we pray for God to lead our ladies to jobs that will provide for them and their children; grant wisdom, discernment, and strength to our leadership and staff; provide financial provisions for our shelter and boutique operations to continue thriving and growing; restore hope-filled relationships between our ladies and God; and guide our building and maintenance committee regarding our expansion.