The Real Life Center https://www.reallifecenter.org Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com From Survival Mode to Rest: Jefferson Russell's Story of Hope https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/09/03/from-survival-mode-to-rest-jefferson-russell-s-story-of-hope Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:28:56 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/09/03/from-survival-mode-to-rest-jefferson-russell-s-story-of-hope
The first thing Jefferson Russell noticed about his “new” car was how quiet it was. It was newer than anything he had ever owned, and the ride was smooth and silent in a way he was not used to.

That night, lying in bed, something else occurred to him. He had not turned on a car radio in years. Not because he did not like music, but because he realized, for the first time, why he had stopped. He had been listening for what might go wrong next.

“I had been in survival mode so many years that I stopped listening to music and radio in a car,” he said. “You don't realize that you're not really living. You're just existing.”
For the first time in a long time, Jefferson felt something different. He felt peace. He felt rest.

A Familiar Face at Real Life Center

Jefferson has been coming to Real Life Center for years, since our early days when we operated near the Midwest Food Bank. Even now, as a regular at our weekly market, he shops with a habit that says a lot about who he is.

“I try to get what I feel like I can use, instead of just everything I could get,” he said. “I don't want stuff left behind that I'm not going to use. There's people who can use it.” He is especially mindful when it comes to items a child might want. “I have a soft spot for kids in my heart,” he said.

Even when he is the one in need, Jefferson is thinking of his neighbors.

When the Car Finally Gave Out

About a month before the Christian Brothers Automotive car donation, Jefferson's exhaust pipe fell off in the Real Life Center parking lot while a volunteer was loading his groceries into his car. Between a bad back, bad knees, and an arm in a sling, Jefferson could not get down to fix it himself. An RLC volunteer crawled underneath the car with a rag and pieced it back together well enough for him to make it home safely.

Two weeks before the call about the donated car, the same car caught fire and was no longer drivable.

Real Life Center staff knew about both incidents. So, when Christian Brothers Automotive in Sharpsburg let us know that a refurbished car was ready to be given away, there was no debate about who needed it most.

Unanimously, the Real Life Center staff selected Jefferson to be the recipient.

The Call That Changed Everything

For Jefferson, who has been out of work on a limited income due to an injury and has recently become reliant on rides from others to get around, the news did not feel real.

“I was just like a deer in the headlights,” he said. “It's like I won the lottery. Am I dreaming?”

He described it as learning a new skill, one he never expected to need. “It's a very different mindset to learn how to accept a good dream when you're so used to the bad dreams,” he said. “My brain's having to learn how to accept something good happening to me.”

A Faith Tested and Proven

Jefferson's sense of peace did not start with the car. It goes back to a night, years earlier, when a serious battle with COVID-19 brought him to the edge of losing his life, with little medical support to lean on.

In that moment, he made peace with God. “I said, God, my body is nothing but a vessel,” he remembered. “But I belong to you. My heart belongs to you. My soul belongs to you. I'm ready.”

He felt God's answer was no. Not yet.

“He said, I'm not done with you,” Jefferson said. He describes surviving that night as the moment he knew, without a doubt, that he belonged to God and that nothing could change that.

It is a conviction that has carried him through hard seasons since, including the season that led him to Real Life Center.

What Real Life Center Means to Him

Ask Jefferson what our ministry represents, and he does not hesitate.

“It represents hope. It represents kindness,” he said. “My experience with Real Life Center has been pretty much as close to unconditional love as you can get.”

He points to the small things. Volunteers who remember which foods he likes and set those aside for him. A volunteer who got down on the ground to fix his exhaust pipe weeks before that same car gave out for good.

“They care about you, and they see you,” he said.

A Ministry Built on Rest

Scripture tells us that Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). For Jefferson, that rest showed up as a quiet car on a dark road and a community that has shown up for him again and again.

That is what Real Life Center exists to do: to meet real, practical needs across Coweta and Fayette counties, right when they are needed most, in a way that points people back to hope. For Jefferson, that meant a working car showing up not long after his last one caught fire and left him with no way to get to work, appointments, or even to the Real Life Center for groceries.

Your support is what makes stories like Jefferson's possible. Give to Real Life Center today and help us keep showing up for our neighbors in Tyrone and beyond.
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]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/09/03/from-survival-mode-to-rest-jefferson-russell-s-story-of-hope#comments 0 Right on Time: How One Prayer, One Phone Call, and One Orchard Changed Two Families’ Lives https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/27/right-on-time-how-one-prayer-one-phone-call-and-one-orchard-changed-two-families-lives Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:39:51 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/27/right-on-time-how-one-prayer-one-phone-call-and-one-orchard-changed-two-families-lives
It had been almost a year since Bella Marie first walked through the doors of the Real Life Center, ashamed to ask for help. Now she was out of work again, standing in a shopping center parking lot, when she spotted a familiar face. Neither of them said a word. But that one glance was enough to remind her of everything she'd found at the Real Life Center before.

Across town that same season, Michael Crozier was carrying a problem of his own. For weeks, he had not been able to fill an open position at his family's medical supply business. That morning, before heading out to cover a surgery, he woke up and prayed for just one thing: focus.

Neither of them knew it yet, but God was already connecting their stories.

A Difficult Season, and a Warm Welcome

Bella Marie and her son moved to Georgia in 2024, ready to build a safer, more stable life together. She kept working, pursued her bachelor’s degree in behavioral health science, and finally found her footing. Then in August 2025, she unexpectedly lost her job, and the stability she had worked so hard for suddenly felt uncertain again.

A friend from church shared a resource guide that mentioned the Real Life Center, so Bella Marie came in for food and financial assistance. One of our team members, Tessa, welcomed her with such warmth and discretion that Bella Marie said she immediately felt safe, valued, and treated with dignity.

Soon after her first visit to the Real Life Center, she met with a Real Life Center Assessment Counselor, who did something Bella Marie did not expect. Instead of just handling the immediate need, the counselor asked about Bella Marie's career, her education, and her skills. She handed her a Job Seeker Guide, prayed with her before she left, and told her one more thing: if she ever needed career guidance again, she should come back and ask for Greg.

Bella Marie held onto that. She had no idea how much it would matter almost a year later.

The Return

In July 2026, Bella Marie found herself out of work again. That same weekend, she happened to see Tessa at a shopping center near her home. They did not talk. But Bella Marie said that moment felt like God tapping her on the shoulder, reminding her of the support she had found at RLC and the advice she had carried with her ever since: go back and ask for Greg.

So she did. Greg sat down with Bella Marie and her son and asked how he could help. She told him she was not looking for just any job. She needed work that would let her provide for her son, put her skills and experience to use, and offer a place where she could feel safe and valued.

Greg listened, and then he acted. He mentioned that he had recently talked with someone connected to the Real Life Center Orchard about an open position that might be a fit. He took her information and told her he would see what he could do. Before Bella Marie even left the building that day, Greg came back to tell her he had already reached out.

While she waited in the food pantry that afternoon, another team member, Toni, prayed with Bella Marie and her son. At one point, the power went out, and they simply pulled out their phones for light and kept talking. Small moment, but Bella Marie still remembers it. Something about that whole visit felt different.

Meanwhile, at Crozier Medical

Here is the part Bella Marie did not know yet. Michael Crozier has led the RLC Apple Team in our orchard since the very first tree went into the ground many years ago. He also runs Crozier Medical, the family business his father, Jimmy, started and from which he has since retired.

For weeks, Crozier Medical had a vacancy they could not seem to fill. A long-time employee was retiring, and an earlier candidate who seemed promising fell through at the last minute after a lot of time and hope had been invested. Between the busyness of the business and the disappointment of that experience, the search for a replacement kept getting pushed down the list. Michael's wife and the rest of the office staff were stretched thin.

During this time, Michael's father, Jimmy, had mentioned the opening to Greg during a phone call. But between one thing and another, nothing had come of it yet.

On that same morning in July that Bella Marie was speaking to Greg at the Real Life Center, an overwhelmed Michael prayed for focus. He drove to a hospital to cover a surgery and decided that as soon as he finished the surgery and got back to the office, filling that position was finally going to become a priority.

A Phone Call at Just the Right Time

After meeting with Bella Marie, Greg thought of the job opening Jimmy had mentioned and wondered if she might be the right fit. He was not sure the position was even still open, and he could not track down Jimmy's contact information, so he asked Dixie, the RLC Orchard Director, if she had it.

She did not have Jimmy's number on hand, but she did have Michael's. So, she texted him right away to explain that Greg was trying to reach his father about the job opening.
Michael called back within minutes. As it turned out, he was the one responsible for filling the position, and he had simply been too swamped to make it happen. He explained that he had just finished at the hospital and was heading back to the office to finally get the opening out into the community. It was the same morning he had prayed for focus.

Dixie handed the phone over so Greg and Michael could talk directly, and from there, things moved quickly.

A Perfect Fit, In More Ways Than One

Bella Marie went in for two interviews with Michael and his team. What struck her right away was how genuine the conversations felt. They wanted to know her as a person, not just a resume. She noticed small figures of Jesus around the office, a quiet detail that put her at ease. By the time she received the offer, she could look back and see how a whole string of small moments−a familiar face at a shopping center, an old piece of advice, a phone call before lunch−had all lined up to lead her there.

Then Michael shared one more surprise. He told her about the Apple Team he leads in RLC's orchard and asked if she and her son would like to join. She said yes without hesitation. Now the same orchard that helps put fresh food on the table for families across Coweta and Fayette County has two more people tending it, people who once relied on that food themselves.

Bella Marie put it best in her own words, reflecting on Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” She could not always see where the road was leading, but looking back, she can see God's hand in every step.

That is what we get to witness here at the Real Life Center almost every day. Not just a meal or a job, but the quiet, patient way God works through ordinary people, a text message, a phone call, a familiar face at just the right moment, to provide for His people. We are grateful to be a small part of the story He is writing in Fayette County, Georgia, and across our community.
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/27/right-on-time-how-one-prayer-one-phone-call-and-one-orchard-changed-two-families-lives#comments 0 Christmas in July: Edward Jones Advisors Keep Our Shelves Full When Summer Runs Thin https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/13/christmas-in-july-edward-jones-advisors-keep-our-shelves-full-when-summer-runs-thin Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:38:19 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/13/christmas-in-july-edward-jones-advisors-keep-our-shelves-full-when-summer-runs-thin
Picture a financial advisor’s office in the middle of a Georgia July. Now add Christmas decor in the lobby, garland along the front desk, and a collection bin slowly filling up with canned green beans and boxes of cereal.

It is not a mix-up on the calendar. It is Christmas in July, and for nine years running, it has become one of the most important months of the year for our pantry.

Summer Is Our Leanest Season

Most food drives happen in October, November, and December. Churches collect, schools compete, neighborhoods fill barrels, and our shelves get a beautiful boost heading into the holidays.

Summer looks very different. Food drives are rare, giving slows down, and our stock can drop to some of the lowest levels we see all year.

The need does not slow down with it. When school lets out, families who counted on free breakfast and lunch are suddenly covering ten more meals a week. Utility bills climb with the temperature. For a household already stretched thin, summer is the season that breaks the budget.

That is exactly when Edward Jones shows up.

2,647 Pounds of Generosity

This year, eleven advisors across eight local Edward Jones offices partnered with the Real Life Center to collect 2,647 pounds of food and household essentials for families in Coweta and Fayette counties.

That is 749 pounds more than last year, an increase of roughly 39 percent, and every ounce of it landed on our shelves at the exact moment we needed it most.

Those pounds are not an abstraction. They are a mother in Tyrone who does not have to choose between the light bill and groceries. They are a grandmother in Newnan raising two grandchildren on a fixed income. They are a family in Peachtree City walking through a season they never expected.

They Did Not Just Collect. They Celebrated.

What makes this drive such a joy is that the Edward Jones teams lean all the way in. Many of the offices decorated for the occasion, turning lobbies into a bit of December in the middle of summer.

Clients walked in for a financial review and walked out part of something bigger. Staff members brought in bags from home. The whole thing became less like a collection bin in a corner and more like a celebration with a purpose.

That spirit matters. Generosity is contagious, and joyful generosity spreads even faster.

Nine Years of Faithfulness

Christmas in July started nine years ago, when Edward Jones advisors saw firsthand how many of their neighbors were struggling to put food on the table. Their response was immediate, and it sparked something that lasted. At one point, more than 20 local offices had joined the campaign.

They are still here. Still decorating. Still collecting. Still calling in July to ask what we need most.

Anyone can be generous once. Faithfulness is the harder thing, and it is the rarer thing. Scripture puts it plainly in Galatians 6:9: let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

These advisors have not grown weary. Their neighbors are reaping the harvest.

Thank You

Our deepest thanks to Edward Jones Advisors Allessio, Bexley, Burgess, Cohran, Dickerson, Fulmer, Jordan, Martin, Sutherland, Trammell, and Winston for faithfully holding this food drive year after year. Thank you to their teams, their clients, and everyone who dropped off a bag.

You have carried our pantry through the hardest stretch of the calendar, and you have done it with Christmas lights on.

Could Your Team Do This Too?

Summer is long, and our shelves need more than one hero. If your business, church, school, or civic group has ever wondered whether a food drive would really make a difference, the answer is 2,647 pounds of yes.

We will walk you through every step, from collection bins to a most needed items list to pick up.

Host a food drive for the Real Life Center.

Email Bongi Queen at bqueen@reallifecenter.org to schedule your food drive today, or click the "Schedule Food Drive" button below.
Schedule Food Drive
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/13/christmas-in-july-edward-jones-advisors-keep-our-shelves-full-when-summer-runs-thin#comments 0 One Door, Two Programs: How Real Life Center Walks Families Toward Stable Living https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/12/one-door-two-programs-how-real-life-center-walks-families-toward-stable-living Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:56:34 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/12/one-door-two-programs-how-real-life-center-walks-families-toward-stable-living
“It's helpful for me to know I have a place I can come to when I'm struggling. I know I'm always welcome here.”
That is how James, one of our clients, describes the Real Life Center. It is a simple sentence, but it holds something important. Before anyone can plan for the future, they need a steady place to stand in the present.

Life rarely gives notice before it changes. A job ends. A diagnosis arrives. A marriage comes apart, or a loved one passes away. Suddenly the math that used to work does not work anymore.

At the Real Life Center, we meet families right there. We do it through two programs, our Introductory Program and our Full Program, that are built to work together rather than compete.

Everyone Starts in the Same Place

When a client registers with us, they are automatically enrolled in the Introductory Program. There is no waiting list and no qualifying process to get through the front door--you just need to be a resident of Coweta or Fayette County.

Introductory Program clients may shop our Market every single week. The Market carries bread, fresh produce, and other perishable foods based on availability, and clients choose their own groceries rather than receiving a pre-packed box.

That weekly rhythm matters. Knowing that weekly food is covered frees up the mental space to think about next month.

The Introductory Program also opens the door to our educational classes, financial counseling, and job support. From the very first visit, help with today and help with tomorrow are sitting side by side.

A Special Word About Our Seniors

Clients aged 65 and older receive monthly access to our Pantry, which stocks non-perishable food, paper goods, and personal care items. Seniors do not need to enroll in the Full Program to receive it.

Our Pantry also includes a Senior Shelf, reserved just for our older neighbors. It is stocked with items chosen with their health in mind, including low sodium foods, whole grains, dry milk, and personal care products.

Classes Open the Pantry Door

Here is one of the most important things to understand about how our programs fit together.

Any client in the Introductory Program can gain monthly access to the Pantry by taking an educational class. One class earns one Pantry visit.

We offer classes on nutrition, budgeting, relationship health, spiritual growth, English as a Second Language, processing grief, and more. Each one is designed to send clients home with something they did not have when they walked in.

This is not a hoop to jump through. It is the whole idea. Groceries meet the need in front of you, but education and skills can change what next year looks like. Pairing the two means every Pantry visit also carries a step forward in financial, physical, mental, relational, or spiritual health.

A Deeper Look: The Full Program

When a family needs more than groceries, the Full Program is the next step.

Enrolling begins with an appointment with one of our Assessment Counselors. Together, they walk through the family's income and expenses to evaluate the need for financial assistance and to look honestly at the whole picture.

Once that meeting is complete, the client is enrolled in the Full Program for one year. During that year, they receive one Pantry visit per month for 12 months, in addition to everything the Introductory Program already offers.

If a family needs financial help, our counselors guide them into the next steps of that process. Financial assistance is never guaranteed, and when it is approved it most often goes toward utilities or rent and mortgage assistance, the bills that can unravel a household fastest.

Counselors Who Look Beyond the Immediate Need

Our Assessment Counselors are trained to notice what a family may not have thought to ask for.

If a client could benefit from outside resources such as SNAP or WIC, our counselors recommend them for our Go Deeper Program. From there, our staff helps clients navigate enrollment in the programs they qualify for, which is often the difference between being eligible on paper and actually receiving the benefit.

Counselors can also recommend clients for job support, connecting them with encouragement and practical help on the road toward meaningful employment.

When the Year Ends, the Welcome Does Not

After 12 months in the Full Program, clients move automatically back into the Introductory Program.

This is not a door closing. Those families continue shopping our Market weekly, for as long as they need it, with no time limit at all. If they would like to visit the Pantry, they simply take an educational class, one class for each visit.

It is full circle by design. The Full Program provides a concentrated season of deeper support. The Introductory Program provides the steady, ongoing welcome that comes before it and after it.

Some families need us for a few months. Others walk with us for years. Both belong here.

This Year So Far

Numbers never tell the whole story, but they do show the shape of the work.

  • 1338 unique households served
  • 104 clients attended educational classes
  • 214 households enrolled in the Full Program
  • 8 clients served through our Go Deeper Program
  • 123 clients received job support
  • 453,413 pounds of food distributed through our Market and Pantry
  • $142,735 in total financial assistance provided

Behind each of those figures is a name, a kitchen table, and a family that is still standing.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Our mission is showing our neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living, and both halves of that sentence carry weight.

The necessities are real. Fresh produce, a stocked shelf, help with a past due power bill, a lead on a job. But so is the love. Our staff and volunteers offer encouragement, dignity, and accountability alongside every grocery cart, because that is how Christ met people. He fed them, and He also called them forward.

Stable living is not just a full pantry. It is the confidence that comes from knowing you are seen, supported, and moving in the right direction.

You Are Welcome Here

If you live in Coweta or Fayette County and you are facing a hard season, you do not need to have anything figured out before you come see us. You just need to walk in.

Visit the Real Life Center at 975 Highway 74 North, Building E, in Tyrone. Our client hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 am to noon, and Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 pm.

If you are registering for the first time, please come between 9 and 11 am, Monday through Thursday, or between 5 and 6 pm on Thursday. No appointment is necessary. Bring a photo ID and current proof of residency, and we will help you find your starting point.
LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED HERE
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/12/one-door-two-programs-how-real-life-center-walks-families-toward-stable-living#comments 0 Putting Feet on Their Prayers: George and Melanie’s Story https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/06/putting-feet-on-their-prayers-george-and-melanie-s-story Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:32:17 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/06/putting-feet-on-their-prayers-george-and-melanie-s-story
Some people come to the Real Life Center looking for a place to help. George and Melanie came knowing exactly what it feels like to need one.

A storm, and a decision

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael came ashore at Mexico Beach, Florida, as a Category 5. George and Melanie were living there most of the year by then, keeping their longtime home in Colquitt, Georgia, for the rest. The storm flattened Mexico Beach. Three hours later, it reached Colquitt and hit as a Category 3.

One storm. Both homes. The same day.

“A five and a three in one day,” George said.

Their daughter, who lives in Peachtree City, told them to come north and stay with her. But George was still serving on the Colquitt City Council, and his city was in pieces. So, they stayed one more night, loaded their truck with food, and drove home to a town with no power and no water. Trees had to be cleared before they could even reach their own front door.

They went to the fire station instead. The fire department had a generator, and for the next 15 to 20 days, George and Melanie cooked two meals a day for the 700 volunteers who had come to help clean up Colquitt.

Ten days into that, Melanie still had not had a shower. The fire chief, a friend of theirs, had a generator at his house, and she finally went over for a hot one. She came back, got into bed, and cried.

That was the night George said out loud what neither of them had expected to hear. “We’re going to sell it all and leave.”

Two days later, their daughter started looking for a house for them. On January 28, 2019, they moved, close enough to see three of their grandchildren regularly.

“We really do not want you to just occupy a seat”

They joined Dogwood Church on August 9, 2019.

Every Sunday, the same greeter met them at the door with the same warmth. After about the third week, Melanie had had enough of small talk. “We need to be friends,” she told her. They hugged. Cecelia has been their friend ever since, and she was the first to mention the Real Life Center.

Not long after, sitting in a Sunday service, they heard Pastor Keith say something George has never forgotten; we are glad you are here, but we do not want you just to occupy a seat. Get plugged in.

“I thought, he’s talking to us,” George said.

They had been deeply plugged in at their church back home, so they knew the difference. They also knew something else. Seven hundred people had shown up in Colquitt to feed them, clear their streets, and put their town back together. “Number one,” George told Melanie on the drive home, “we need to give back for those people that came and gave to us.”

So, when Cecelia invited them to come see the Real Life Center, they went. That was three years ago.

There was one more small confirmation along the way. When they first introduced themselves to Pastor Keith, Melanie gave her usual line about coming from a small town in southwest Georgia that he would never have heard of. He told her he goes to Colquitt every year for a family reunion. He even knew the Hardee’s, the only fast-food restaurant in town.

What a Wednesday looks like

Melanie serves as a shopping assistant. George is a loader. That is where they started, and it is still their Wednesday.

It is nowhere close to all of it, though. They serve at the Mobile Food Pantry nearly every month unless they are out of town, and they have joined the new Home Delivery Program. They have packed bags for Backpack Buddies, picked blueberries in the orchard, and sorted toys at Christmas. This is their second summer helping with Real Life Center Summer Day Camp. George also serves on the Real Life Center Board.

That last one required a little negotiating. Over the years, Melanie has given George exactly two rules: do not join the HOA or any other board, and do not run for city council. So, when he came home from a conversation with Pastor Keith and explained that this board was very different, Melanie, who had heard a version of this before, reminded him that the city council was also only going to be one or two nights a week.

George serves on the Real Life Center Board today.

The back of the warehouse

Ask George what the Real Life Center means to him, and he does not start with the work.
“Melanie and I are not really small group people,” he said. “But the Real Life Center has become our small group.”

The guys in the back share what is going on with their families. They ask each other real questions. They pray together, and they have a devotion. George found a close friend in Joe, who was doing the same kind of serving George had done back home. The work itself has a goal, and George has said it out loud to himself: make sure the client feels like they mean something.

As a car loader, “the last thing they hear is us guys putting their groceries in their cars,” he said. “Give them a word of encouragement. Because it’s just by the grace of God that we’re not in that position.”

Both of them know that the people who come through the door are not one kind of person. Some of them were doing fine until a job disappeared. “It could happen to anybody.”
Up front, Melanie greets every single one of them, and anyone sitting in the building can hear her. There is joy in her voice, and it lands on people who are having the worst week of their lives.

“It’s not fake,” she said. “I really do feel the way I sound.”

The Barbie in the pearl wedding gown

She learned generosity a long time ago, and it cost her something.

Melanie was around ten or eleven when Barbie dolls first came out. She had three: a Barbie, a Midge, and a Ken. Not twenty-five, like her grandchildren have today—just the three.

Her mother was a gifted seamstress, and one Christmas Eve she stayed up until two in the morning sewing tiny pearls onto a wedding gown for Melanie’s Barbie, along with a full wardrobe for Midge and Ken.

A couple of years later, Melanie walked past a house in her town where the children had nothing. There was no grass in the yard. They were playing with sticks. She could see them, and she could see her own life clearly at the same time: a swimming pool, a tennis court, a billiard hall, a camper parked out back.

She went home, gathered up every bit of it, the dolls and all the clothes her mother had stayed up all night to make, walked back over, and handed it to a little girl.

She had not asked for permission first. When she told her mother, her mother was not angry. She was glad to see that her daughter had a caring heart.

A week later, Melanie walked by again and found the Barbie in the dirt across the yard. The body was on its side. The head was off.

She has never forgotten what she decided while standing there.

“When I give a gift to somebody, there are not going to ever be strings attached to it,” she said. “Because it’s theirs to do whatever with. It’s not mine any longer.”

Underneath it is the sentence that has shaped her life ever since: “If you have more, you should give more.”

Forty-seven years, one goal

George and Melanie celebrated 47 years of marriage this year, and they say the same thing about the hurricane that they say about most things.

“Stuff can be replaced. But if you have each other, and you have the same goal of wanting to do for others, that’s the important thing in life.”

Every Wednesday, after serving at the Real Life Center, they get in their vehicle to drive home and immediately start telling each other what somebody said that day. They come to serve, and they leave with more than they brought.

Years ago, at a Sunday morning service at a campground, George heard a speaker say something that stuck with him: you can pray all you want, but if you do not put feet on those prayers, they are not going anywhere.

George and Melanie have put feet on theirs.

“We don’t think we’re special at all,” Melanie said. “We just think we’re part of the team that loves to love others.”

Come see a Wednesday for yourself

You do not need a story like George and Melanie’s to serve here. You just need to show up. Every week, families across Coweta and Fayette counties walk through our doors, and every week there is room for one more person to greet them, shop with them, or load their car with a word of encouragement.

To learn more about volunteering at the Real Life Center, click the "LEARN MORE" button below.
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]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/08/06/putting-feet-on-their-prayers-george-and-melanie-s-story#comments 0 A New Way to Reach Our Neighbors: Real Life Center Home Delivery Program https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/a-new-way-to-reach-our-neighbors-real-life-center-home-delivery-program Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:32:45 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/a-new-way-to-reach-our-neighbors-real-life-center-home-delivery-program
For years, RLC's Market has served families who are able to come to us. But some of our clients simply cannot. Illness, mobility limitations, and lack of transportation can make even a short trip to the Market impossible.

That is why we launched Real Life Center Home Delivery, a new program that brings food directly to clients who cannot visit us in person. We began with a May pilot, delivering once a week to clients whose health concerns or transportation barriers kept them from getting to the Market.

After that first month, we paused briefly to refine the program based on what we learned, then officially relaunched in June. Since we began this program in May, we have served six households, representing 16 individuals- parents, grandparents, and children- who received food they could not otherwise have gotten. We are now ready to share this program with our community and invite you to be part of what comes next.

The Faces Behind the Program

One woman we deliver to lives alone and is facing a serious illness. For her, the deliveries have meant more than food. They have meant human connection, a friendly face, and a few minutes of conversation on days that might otherwise pass in isolation.

Another family includes a husband battling a terminal illness and his wife, who serves as his full-time caregiver while also raising their son, who has autism. She is unable to work outside the home, and the weekly deliveries have eased another burden during an already difficult season.

Not every need is long-term. One mother of several children relies on a golf cart for transportation. When it broke down and needed repairs, Real Life Center Home Delivery stepped in to bridge the gap until she could return to the Market on her own, which she was glad to do once her golf cart was running again.

"This program is not meant for long-term provision," said Jennifer Nolder, who directs the Real Life Center Home Delivery program. "It is really for meeting that need right where our clients are, whether that is an illness, a lack of transportation, or something temporary. We want to ease the burden in other areas so families can get back on their feet."

What Our Volunteers Discovered

Going into that first month, Linda and Roger didn't know what to expect. Would they be welcomed? Would the homes they visited feel safe? Every uncertainty gave way to something unexpected."

"Everyone that we saw was very open, very appreciative," Linda said. "They were very thankful."

One woman asked the couple to come inside and sit with her, even pray with her. At the time, RLC's policy did not allow volunteers to enter clients' homes, so Linda and Roger could not stay. "It broke our hearts," Linda said.

That moment led to real change. When the program resumed with revisions in June, RLC updated its policy to allow volunteers to enter homes when appropriate. Just last week, volunteers Melanie and George spent nearly an hour with one of the clients they deliver to, simply talking and enjoying her company.

Cecilia and Jackie have also been steady, faithful volunteers throughout the pilot and now the fully operational program. Jackie has quietly shown up for delivery after delivery, one of the steady hands getting food out to our homebound clients. Cecilia has shown that same steady commitment, and after the pilot concluded, she shared what the experience meant to her: "I am thankful that you all got this up and running. It is definitely a huge need in our communities."

For Linda, the connections made during those early deliveries didn't end when the pilot did. She has continued building relationships beyond her official deliveries, checking in on one client simply because, in her words, "she just melts my heart."

Looking Ahead

Real Life Center Home Delivery is just getting started. We hope to grow this program, reach more homebound neighbors, and build partnerships with local churches and senior service organizations to identify families who need this kind of support.

We believe every family deserves to be seen, valued, and cared for, no matter what stands between them and our door. Real Life Center Home Delivery is one more way RLC lives out the belief that God's love shows up in ordinary acts of faithfulness: a knock on the door, a bag of groceries, a few minutes of conversation.
Programs like Real Life Center Home Delivery are only possible because of generous support from people like you.

Give today and help Real Life Center bring hope to the doors of homebound neighbors across Coweta and Fayette counties.

DONATE TODAY
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/a-new-way-to-reach-our-neighbors-real-life-center-home-delivery-program#comments 0 A Summer of Generosity: How Keller Williams and Kares 4 Kids Are Investing in Local Kids https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/a-summer-of-generosity-how-keller-williams-and-kares-4-kids-are-investing-in-local-kids Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:09:23 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/a-summer-of-generosity-how-keller-williams-and-kares-4-kids-are-investing-in-local-kids
Some partners show up for our community again and again, in more than one way and at more than one moment. This summer, that has been true of Keller Williams Realty Peachtree City and Kares 4 Kids.

A Partnership Built for Local Impact

Kares 4 Kids is a nonprofit that has helped over one million children since 2005, partnering with Keller Williams offices across the region to direct giving toward causes their agents care about locally. In Coweta and Fayette counties, that partnership has translated into real support for the children of Real Life Center families, twice over this summer.

Gift One: Food for the Weekend

Earlier this summer, Keller Williams Peachtree City gave a generous financial gift through Kares 4 Kids to support our Backpack Buddies program. Backpack Buddies sends food home with food-insecure children over the weekends, when school meals are not available. For a child, that gift can mean the difference between a hungry Saturday and a full one.

Gift Two: A Fresh Start for School

Then, as the new school year approached, Keller Williams partnered with Kares 4 Kids again. This time, they provided 30 backpacks filled with school supply kits for the children of our clients, so they can start the school year with everything they need, and a little extra confidence walking through the door on day one.

Two Gifts, One Goal

Two gifts, given months apart, but both aimed at the same goal: making sure kids in our community do not go without, whether that is a full stomach on a Saturday morning or a full backpack on the first day of school.

We believe every child deserves to be seen and cared for, and partners like Keller Williams Peachtree City and Kares 4 Kids help us live that out in practical ways all year long. We are so grateful for their generosity toward the children of Coweta and Fayette counties.

If you would like to help make sure no local child goes hungry over the weekend, consider giving to our Backpack Buddies program today.

DONATE TODAY
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/a-summer-of-generosity-how-keller-williams-and-kares-4-kids-are-investing-in-local-kids#comments 0 Called, Not Lost: How Real Life Center Helped One Family Stay the Course https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/21/called-not-lost-how-real-life-center-helped-one-family-stay-the-course Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:23:38 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/21/called-not-lost-how-real-life-center-helped-one-family-stay-the-course
"Thank you for letting God work through you," Samantha wrote in a note she left for our staff along with a small gift.

It is a simple line. But behind it is a story Samantha specifically wanted to share, not because she needed us to help her find a new direction, but because she wants other families to know they are not alone.

Samantha's husband is incarcerated, serving a lengthy sentence. It is the kind of crisis that often gets carried in silence. Samantha believes there are people sitting quietly in churches every week who feel isolated by something similar, and she wants them to know that shame does not have to be part of the story.

A calling, not a crossroads

Here is what makes Samantha's story different from what you might expect. When her family's crisis hit hard, financially and in every other way, she was not left wondering what to do next. God had already been leading her. Before she ever walked through our doors, she had enrolled in law school and begun laying the groundwork for a restorative justice ministry, work that would serve families like hers, navigating the criminal legal system.

The hard part was not finding a new path. The hard part was staying on the one she was already called to, when the easier, safer choice would have been to set it aside.

What Real Life Center could offer

This is where our team came in. Samantha came to us needing practical support, mortgage assistance, and food, so her family could stay afloat during an incredibly difficult season. Tessa welcomed her at our front desk. Joe walked with her through her intake assessment. Greg connected her with local job leads to help bridge the financial gap, and Mike met with her to talk through options that could support her family without requiring her to abandon what she believed God was calling her toward.

Faithfulness, sustained by community

Samantha has said that what she is most grateful for is not that Real Life Center helped her figure out a plan. It is that our team helped sustain her family during a season when she was trying to remain faithful to where she already believed God was leading. That distinction matters to her, and we think it matters to anyone walking through a crisis while still trying to hold on to a calling.

Her long-term path- law school, ministry, and the restorative justice work ahead of her- is still unfolding. But she is clear on the direction. What she needed was not a new one. She needed a community willing to help her stay faithful to the one she was already on.

Her note ended with three words: peace and blessings. We think that is exactly what it looks like when a caring community walks alongside someone through crisis, not to redirect them, but to help them stay the course.

If you would like to help Real Life Center sustain families like Samantha's through crisis, consider making a gift today.

Donate using the button below.

DONATE
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/21/called-not-lost-how-real-life-center-helped-one-family-stay-the-course#comments 0 How One Woman's Memory Turned Into Lasting Support for Coweta and Fayette County Students https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/15/how-one-woman-s-memory-turned-into-lasting-support-for-coweta-and-fayette-county-students Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:32:24 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/15/how-one-woman-s-memory-turned-into-lasting-support-for-coweta-and-fayette-county-students
A few years ago, a Panasonic Automotive employee named Delphina remembered something from her own life that she couldn't shake: how hard it was, as a single mom, to afford book bags and school supplies before the first day of class.

So she did something about it. Delphina asked her company to partner with the Real Life Center to collect school supplies for local kids. What started as one woman's idea has grown into an annual tradition that Panasonic Automotive employees still show up for, year after year.

From a Pile of Supplies to a Simple Solution

In the early years, the drive collected a wide mix of individual school supplies. This year, we simplified things. Instead of asking for loose items, we put together an Amazon wishlist of complete school supply kits, sorted by grade level: elementary, middle, and high school.

Panasonic Automotive's team took it from there. They built a flyer, shared it with employees, and made it easy to give in three ways: drop off a purchased kit at a collection bin on-site, have a kit shipped straight to the Real Life Center, or give financially through our website.

That kind of flexibility matters. Not everyone has time to shop, but everyone can find a way to help a student in Coweta or Fayette County start the school year prepared and confident.

The Results Speak for Themselves

By the end of the drive, Panasonic Automotive employees had donated 41 complete school kits, ready to hand directly to students who needed them. That's 41 backpacks packed with everything from pencils to planners, and 41 fewer things for a parent to worry about buying this fall.

A Legacy That Keeps Giving

Delphina retired from Panasonic Automotive earlier this year, but before she did, she made sure the partnership would outlast her own involvement. She connected our team with new points of contact at the company to keep the drive going strong.

And it has. Panasonic Automotive recently let us know they are sending additional financial support to help fund this year's school supplies effort, continuing a legacy of generosity that started with one employee's memory of a hard season.

Why It Matters

Every backpack and folder we hand out is more than a school supply. For a parent stretching every dollar, it's one less thing to worry about. For a child walking into their first day of school, it's a small but real sign that someone believes in their future.

We are grateful for partners like Panasonic Automotive who do not just give once but keep showing up. That kind of faithfulness reflects the same steady, generous love we try to show every family who walks through our doors.

Support Our Year-Round Mission

Thanks to generous partners like Panasonic Automotive, our school supply needs are being met. What a gift!

Now we are turning our attention to something just as important: the everyday needs of the families we serve. Gifts to our “General Operations” fund give us the flexibility to provide food and financial assistance right when a family needs it most, whether that's help with a utility bill, a bag of groceries, or emergency support in a tough season.

If Delphina's story moved you the way it moved us, consider giving to "General Operations" today. Your gift helps us meet needs we cannot always predict, with the same faithfulness Panasonic Automotive has shown year after year.
DONATE TODAY
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/07/15/how-one-woman-s-memory-turned-into-lasting-support-for-coweta-and-fayette-county-students#comments 0 Serving with Joy in the Orchard https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/25/serving-with-joy-in-the-orchard Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/25/serving-with-joy-in-the-orchard
There are days at the Real Life Center when the beauty of community shines so clearly, you can’t help but pause and give thanks, and this recent serve day with the youth from Peachtree City United Methodist Church and Wesley Way United Methodist Church was one of those moments.
Sixteen students arrived at the RLC Orchard ready to work, and for two hours they joyfully picked blueberries under the summer sun. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Wherever there was a need, these young volunteers stepped in without hesitation—one carefully packaging freshly picked berries, another cleaning out collection buckets, others lifting and loading heavy crates into waiting vehicles, and even making sure the gazebo was swept clean when the work was done. Not one complaint was heard, only willing hearts and cheerful spirits.
After a short break, their service continued with a special project: spreading wood chips beneath the oak tree at the back of the orchard. With rakes and shovels in hand, they worked side by side, transforming the space into something both beautiful and welcoming. The finished result truly reflects their care. It looks lovely, a lasting reminder of their effort and teamwork.
Equally meaningful was the presence of their leaders, who were fully engaged throughout the day. They guided, encouraged, and served alongside the students with evident love and dedication. It was a joy to witness this kind of discipleship in action—faith lived out through service.

The day concluded with lunch on the Dogwood Church patio and a tour of the Real Life Center, giving these students a deeper understanding of the mission they had so generously supported. While special projects at the Real Life Center are not always abundant, moments like these are such a gift; opportunities where willing hands meet meaningful work in service of others.
This is what we mean when we say we are “neighbors caring for neighbors.” Through simple acts, such as picking blueberries, cleaning up, and spreading wood chips, these students demonstrated the hands and feet of Jesus in a powerful way.

We are deeply grateful to Peachtree City United Methodist Church and Wesley Way United Methodist Church, to their leaders, and to each student who gave their time and energy so freely. We thank God for the way He provides through a community eager to serve.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16

Because of volunteers like these, the Real Life Center Orchard continues to flourish, and so does the spirit of hope and love that defines the Real Life Center.
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/25/serving-with-joy-in-the-orchard#comments 0 Keys to a New Beginning https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/22/keys-to-a-new-beginning Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/22/keys-to-a-new-beginning

How a Community Partnership Changed Everything for One Young Mother

Catelynn is 25 years old and a mother of two little boys, ages 3 and almost 5. She is navigating the transition to single motherhood, and she is doing it with remarkable determination. Each day, she drives for DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber while her boys are in school, picks them up in the afternoon, and keeps going. Her older son has special needs, and getting him to his ABA therapy program every day is not optional. Neither is paying rent. Neither is keeping the lights on.

All of it depended on one thing: a reliable vehicle.

Someone to Walk Alongside Her

Catelynn first came to the Real Life Center not for food or financial assistance, but because she felt stuck. “I’m just stuck,” she told RLC staff. “I need someone to help me get unstuck.”

That’s how she was connected with Susan De la Cruz, a long-time RLC volunteer with a background in special education. Susan began meeting with Catelynn as a mentor, and their time together was not about telling Catelynn what to do. It was about listening, exploring options, and walking with her through each next step. One of those steps was helping Catelynn navigate the public school system to secure a full-day special education program for her older son. That was a huge burden lifted.

“She just really needed someone to walk with her,” Susan shared. “We all have seasons of giving and receiving. This was her season to receive. Not judgment, not a checklist, just someone to say, here are your options. Where do you want to be?”

Through it all, Catelynn kept hustling. She kept showing up. When her vehicle situation became critical, and the car payments were no longer affordable, Susan brought the need to the RLC staff. They knew exactly who to call.

A Car That Arrived by Grace

Christian Brothers Automotive in Sharpsburg has been a faithful partner to the Real Life Center. They have generously donated refurbished vehicles to clients who are in critical need of reliable transportation. What makes this partnership even more remarkable is that each donated vehicle comes with 12 months of free bumper-to-bumper service. For an entire year, recipients do not have to worry about unexpected repair costs. That is an extraordinary gift.

When RLC reached out to owner Dave Shuford about Catelynn’s need, the timing was nothing short of remarkable. A Jeep had arrived at Christian Brothers by accident. A tow truck company had delivered it to the wrong shop. When Dave’s team inspected it, they found the damage was primarily cosmetic: bumper repairs and light body work, with no significant mechanical issues. They took the vehicle in, put 200 miles on it to make sure it drove well, and prepared it for donation.

“We never get cars that way,” Dave explained. “We normally wait until someone donates one. This one just… showed up.”

It is difficult to call that a coincidence.

“I Fell to the Ground in Tears”

Catelynn describes the moment she found out in her own words:

“I was on my way to pick Remi up from daycare, and I had been checking in with Susan, my wonderful mentor, for any updates. I shot her a quick text, ‘Hey Susan, you haven’t heard any updates from Greg, have you?’ About an hour later, I received a response that I was going to be receiving a vehicle! I had just gotten Maverick out of the daycare. I fell to the ground in tears! I couldn’t believe that it was actually going to be a vehicle for me! I remember feeling this overwhelming weight had been lifted.”

After the handoff, she sent Susan a photo of her boys buckled into the back seat, grinning from ear to ear. “They’re usually on top of each other,” she laughed. “Now they have space.”

At the presentation, Catelynn spoke simply and from the heart: “This would not have been possible… This is going to make a world of difference for me and my boys.”

When asked what having the Jeep means for her family, Catelynn put it beautifully.

"Having the Jeep from CBA, plus a year warranty, has given me an enormous amount of relief, both mentally and financially.  I no longer have to fear not having a vehicle that I can afford and is mine. Coming from a marriage where I had nothing of my own, to rebuilding a life for myself and the boys, this Jeep represents more than a vehicle for me.  It represents a new start, hope, perseverance, and strength."

This Is What Partnership Looks Like

Catelynn’s story is one of resilience, but it is also a story of community. It took a mentor who listened without judgment, a staff that paid attention, and a business owner willing to let a Jeep that arrived by accident become a lifeline for a young family.

The Real Life Center exists right at the intersection of those kinds of moments. We are so grateful for partners like Christian Brothers Automotive, who see generosity not as a transaction, but as a calling. And we are grateful for donors like you, whose support makes it possible for us to identify neighbors in need and connect them with exactly the right help at exactly the right time.
Catelynn told Susan that she hopes to one day mentor another young woman walking through a hard season. She wants to be the person who shows up and says, “You’re not stuck. Here are your options. Where do you want to be?” We think she will be wonderful at it.

She also had a message for the team that made it all possible.

"To CBA, Greg, Dave, Susan, and the entire team at CBA and RLC, you truly have no idea how grateful and humbled I am. To say this is a blessing is an understatement.  For anyone who feels led to donate or support either of these organizations, know the real work they're doing in and around our community is heartwarming!"

That's how grace works.  It moves through people.  It moves through partnerships. And sometimes, it arrives at the right shop by accident.
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/22/keys-to-a-new-beginning#comments 0 Why Young People Are Choosing to Serve — and Why It Matters https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/17/why-young-people-are-choosing-to-serve-and-why-it-matters Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:25:07 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/17/why-young-people-are-choosing-to-serve-and-why-it-matters
This summer, four young volunteers at the Real Life Center shared why they give their time — and what they’ve gained in return.
What does a student do with a free summer? For four remarkable young people, the answer was simple: they showed up at the Real Life Center, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work.

From stocking shelves and packing emergency food bags to loading cars and walking clients through the market, these student volunteers represent the next generation of community servants. Their stories are different, but their hearts point in the same direction — toward their neighbors.

“It’s Really Nice” — Ava’s Story

Ava, a rising 11th grader, first volunteered at the Real Life Center a few years ago alongside her mom. Life got busy, as it often does, but when the summer opened up, Ava came back — this time on her own.

“I really like doing it with my mom. It was really fun, and just talking to people and helping them out — I loved it,” she said. “I wanted to volunteer again and I needed to find a place to start.”

What keeps her coming back is simple but powerful: the feeling that she made a difference. “Just the feeling I helped people out, and made a difference, and impacted people — I love that.”

One moment in particular caught her attention. She watched a woman named Judy praying with clients at the end of a shift. “I really liked that,” Ava said. “So I’m trying to do that with everyone else.”

Her advice to other young people? “It’s good if more young people did it [volunteered], ‘cause it’s really nice.”

A Friendship That Led to a Summer of Service — Ben’s Story

Ben, a rising 9th grader, found his way to the Real Life Center through an unexpected friendship. At Dogwood Church, Ben happened to sit next to an older gentleman named George, and the two struck up a conversation. When George invited Ben to volunteer for the summer, Ben’s answer was easy: “Yeah, sure, why not? It’d be fun.”

Four weeks in, Ben is glad he said yes. His main role has been loading cars, and he’s discovered that the work is about far more than groceries.

“I really like that, ‘cause I get to connect to the people,” he said.

His favorite moment? A sweet older woman who seeks him out every single week. “She just came up to me and hugged me every time, right before I loaded her car. And she’s always so sweet to me.”

When asked what he’d say to other high schoolers considering volunteering, Ben didn’t hesitate. “I’d say you probably should do this. It’s good personal experience.  You get to have face-to-face conversations, and you’re doing it for a good cause. It makes you happy that you’re helping others.”

From Psychology Class to the Real Life Center — Eliza’s Story

Eliza came to the Real Life Center through a different path. A recent college graduate entering a graduate program in psychology this fall, Eliza minored in human sciences and sociology, and wanted to put her education into practice in a meaningful way. She found the Real Life Center through her own online research.

“I started getting interested in serving community needs,” she said. “I wanted to work hands-on somewhere.”

What she found here has reinforced everything she’s been learning in school. As a stock person and shopping assistant in the market, Eliza has been struck by the quality of the relationships at RLC — between volunteers, staff, and clients alike.

“I’ve observed a lot of patience,” she reflected. “I just feel like that’s the perfect word for volunteers here — and the clients being patient with us. We really do thrive on listening to each other. Nobody’s gonna rush you through a conversation, nobody’s gonna rush you out the door. We’re all here to love each other.”

For someone headed into a career focused on the well-being of others, this environment has been formative. “Absolutely, without a doubt, I would recommend it to someone else,” she said.

Four Summers Strong — Parker’s Story

If there’s one volunteer who embodies the idea that serving becomes a habit, it’s Parker. A high schooler entering his fourth consecutive summer at the Real Life Center, Parker has done it all — stocking shelves, shopping with clients, loading cars.

“It’s a really easy way to serve,” he said. “And it’s our local community, which makes it extra special.”

Over four years of showing up, Parker has seen a lot. But one moment will stay with him. While shopping with a client one day, the woman shared that she was homeless and desperately needed a house. Parker prayed with her at the end of her visit — the way volunteers do after every shopping trip at RLC.

A week later, she called the Center asking for him. She had found a house.

“I had a part in that,” he said quietly. “That was really cool.”

For anyone wondering whether volunteering is worth their time, Parker offers the most honest advice of all: “I think I’d say the hardest part is getting started. But once you get into it, it’s really easy and very rewarding.”

A Place Worth Showing Up For

The Real Life Center exists to show neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living — food, financial assistance, job support, life-skills education, and spiritual encouragement. Located in Tyrone, Georgia, RLC serves families in Coweta and Fayette counties who are walking through some of life’s hardest seasons.

But ask these four young volunteers, and they’ll tell you: the Real Life Center gives back to volunteers just as much as it gives to the clients. The connections made here, the prayers shared, the hugs exchanged in a parking lot, these are the moments that shape a person.

Whether you’re in 9th grade or heading to graduate school, there is a place for you here.

To learn more about volunteering at the Real Life Center, contact Matt Lowe at mlowe@reallifecenter.org or explore our website.
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/17/why-young-people-are-choosing-to-serve-and-why-it-matters#comments 0 A Second Chance—and a New Beginning https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/04/a-second-chance-and-a-new-beginning Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:24:53 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/04/a-second-chance-and-a-new-beginning
When Monique first walked through the doors of the Real Life Center, she wasn’t looking for anything extraordinary, just a way to provide a little extra help for her family.

Living in Fayetteville, Monique often helps care for her grandchildren and supports her daughter when she can. Like many families, rising costs had made things tight.

“I looked up help in my area,” she said. “I needed to find a pantry that could help me with food… so I could help my daughter and my grands.”

But what began as a simple search for food assistance became part of a much bigger story, one only God could write.

From Detroit to Atlanta—A Life Marked by God’s Hand

Monique’s journey has taken her across the country. Originally from Detroit, she spent most of her early life in Florida before eventually settling in the Atlanta area, where she has now lived for 15 years.

“I really call Florida home,” she said with a smile, “but this is home now too.”

Over the years, Monique built a life centered on caring for others. With a background as a nanny and a heart for serving her family, she naturally stepped into her role as a grandmother, cooking, nurturing, and helping wherever she was needed.

But her life took a dramatic and unexpected turn during the Christmas season just a few years ago.

A Christmas Eve That Changed Everything

What started as preparation for a joyful Christmas gathering quickly turned into a medical emergency.

“I was getting ready for a family event,” Monique recalled. “But I couldn’t breathe.”
She had been seeing doctors for heart-related concerns, but nothing had prepared her for what would come next. That night, she went to the hospital and received shocking news.

“They told me, ‘You need a new heart.'”

The weight of those words was almost impossible to grasp. In a matter of hours, Monique went from preparing for Christmas with her family to facing a life-threatening diagnosis.

“It didn’t feel real,” she said. “I knew I had heart problems, but not like this.”

She was quickly transferred to Piedmont Atlanta, where a team of doctors began preparing for what could be a long and uncertain wait.

But God had other plans.

A Miracle in Motion

Many patients wait months, or even years, for a heart transplant. But Monique’s story unfolded in a way that can only be described as extraordinary.

“Within a week and a half, they told me, ‘We have a heart for you.’”
She still pauses when she recounts it.

“That was God,” she said. “There’s no other explanation.”

Even the timing of the surgery reflected God’s provision. On a stormy night—when bad weather could have delayed critical transport—the heart arrived in time.

Everything fell into place.

Long Nights, Deep Faith

The surgery was successful, but the journey didn’t end there.

Recovery brought its own set of challenges, medication complications, physical healing, and emotional exhaustion. There were moments of uncertainty and fear.
But those moments also became sacred.

“At 3:00 in the morning, when nobody was around, I would pray,” Monique shared. “I would ask God, ‘What’s going on?’ And He answered me every time.”

In those quiet, difficult hours, Monique experienced the nearness of God in a deeply personal way.
Her faith wasn’t just something she believed. It became something she lived and depended on daily.

“I just kept pushing and praying,” she said. “And He carried me through.”

Today, Monique is active, healthy, and full of life. You wouldn’t know her story just by looking at her, but she carries it with gratitude in everything she does.

“I have never been so thankful in my life,” she said. “God gave me a second chance.”

Stepping Into the Real Life Center

After her recovery, Monique and her husband found themselves navigating life on a fixed income. Though they had worked hard all their lives, retirement brought new financial realities.

“Social Security is not enough,” she said honestly. “Things get tight.”

That’s when she found the Real Life Center.

Over the past several months, Monique has not only received practical support through the food pantry, but she has also embraced the full experience of what the ministry offers.

“It’s been eye-opening,” she said.

Growing in Faith and Truth

One of the most meaningful parts of Monique’s journey at RLC has been participating in classes.

“These classes. They really touch your life,” she said. “They talk about real things people go through.”
What stood out most to her was how clearly biblical truth connects to everyday challenges.

“It’s always about God,” Monique explained. “But it’s also about how you live your life with Him in it. If you keep Him first, He helps you through everything.”

She appreciates that the teaching isn’t just spiritual. It’s practical.

“You don’t just sit back and say, ‘God, do everything,’” she said with a smile. “You trust Him, and then you take steps. You apply it to your life.”

That combination of truth and action has encouraged her deeply.

Experiencing the Love of Christ

From the moment she arrived, Monique felt something different about the Real Life Center, something deeper than just services.

“The volunteers are wonderful,” she said. “They’re so kind.”

Each visit ends with an invitation that has become especially meaningful to her: prayer.

“They ask if you want prayer, and I always say yes,” she said. “It gives me strength. It gives me encouragement.”

Through these simple but powerful moments, Monique has experienced the love of Christ in tangible ways.

“I’m just so humbled and so thankful,” she added.

An Unexpected Door Opens

One day, after completing a class, Monique felt led to ask a simple question:
“Do you help with employment?”

That question sparked a conversation that would lead to a new opportunity.

Through a connection at the Real Life Center, Monique was introduced to a local service called Share the Load, which provides household support for busy families. Soon after, she was offered a part-time position as a house manager.
The role includes helping families with laundry, meal preparation, and organization, work that fits perfectly with Monique’s skills and experience.

“I love those kinds of things,” she said. “I really do.”

What felt like a small step of courage became a meaningful answer to prayer.

“It just rolled into place,” she said. “Like God was saying, ‘Here you go.’”

A Life Redeemed and Renewed

Monique’s story is one of physical healing, but also of spiritual renewal, provision, and purpose.

She has walked through a life-threatening diagnosis, experienced a miraculous transplant, and found renewed direction in a new season of life.
Through it all, one truth stands above the rest:  God has been faithful.

“Life is so precious,” Monique said. “Whatever time God has for you, you accept it. You put Him first, and it will be beautiful.”

Because of You

Stories like Monique’s happen every day at the Real Life Center because of faithful partners like you.

Because you give, pray, and serve:
  • Families receive food in times of need
  • Individuals grow in their faith
  • Doors to new opportunities open

And lives are changed both now and for eternity.

Thank you for being part of the story God is writing in our community.
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/06/04/a-second-chance-and-a-new-beginning#comments 0 From Survival to Stability: How Community and Connection Helped Vance Rebuild His Life https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/15/from-survival-to-stability-how-community-and-connection-helped-vance-rebuild-his-life Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:44:19 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/15/from-survival-to-stability-how-community-and-connection-helped-vance-rebuild-his-life
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/15/from-survival-to-stability-how-community-and-connection-helped-vance-rebuild-his-life#comments 1 Finding Peace When Everything Fell Apart: Michele's Story https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/06/finding-peace-when-everything-fell-apart-michele-s-story Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:36:13 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/06/finding-peace-when-everything-fell-apart-michele-s-story
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/06/finding-peace-when-everything-fell-apart-michele-s-story#comments 0 “We Get to Do This”: A Volunteer Story with Hank and Glenda Ferrier https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/01/we-get-to-do-this-a-volunteer-story-with-hank-and-glenda-ferrier Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:09:59 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/01/we-get-to-do-this-a-volunteer-story-with-hank-and-glenda-ferrier
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/04/01/we-get-to-do-this-a-volunteer-story-with-hank-and-glenda-ferrier#comments 1 Finding Family at the Real Life Center https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/03/25/finding-family-at-the-real-life-center Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:54:51 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/03/25/finding-family-at-the-real-life-center
Joanne Garland’s Story

When Joanne Garland first came to the Real Life Center nearly two years ago, she was facing an uncertain season. She was out of work, struggling to keep up with basic expenses, and caring for family members with serious health challenges. Through a call to 211, she was connected to the Real Life Center, and what she found here changed more than her circumstances.

“It’s not just what you say you do,” Joanne shared. “From the moment you walk in, there’s patience, kindness, and connection. It really feels like family.”

Joanne initially needed help with utilities and rent while searching for steady employment. Along the way, she experienced staff members and volunteers willing to listen, problem solve, and walk beside her with grace, even when life didn’t go according to plan.

Over time, Joanne became a regular at the Real Life Center Market and began attending classes that allowed her to receive food while learning practical skills. Her favorite class, "How to Start a Budget," helped her spend less and redirect money toward other needs.

“Because of the food I receive here, I barely go to the grocery store anymore,” she explained. “That makes a huge difference.”

But the support went beyond food and finances. Joanne formed friendships while waiting in line, talking in the parking lot, and connecting with other clients. One of those relationships even led to an unexpected gift, a laptop she needed but couldn’t afford.

Joanne now shares what she receives with elderly neighbors and others who can’t come to the Real Life Center themselves. “Nothing goes to waste,” she says. “That’s how we love each other.”

Still seeking full-time work in the medical field, Joanne continues to face challenges, including transportation issues. Yet she remains grateful for the encouragement, referrals, and community support she’s found at the Real Life Center.

When asked what she would say to someone considering a donation, Joanne didn’t hesitate.

“Give it here,” she said. “What happens here brings glory to God. You extend help with care, organization, and love.”

For Joanne, the Real Life Center has been more than a place of assistance, it has been a place of dignity, connection, and hope. Her story reflects the heart of our mission: showing the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living, and trusting God to do the deeper work of restoration.

]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/03/25/finding-family-at-the-real-life-center#comments 1 A New Song in the Silence: Tiffany’s Story https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/03/03/a-new-song-in-the-silence-tiffany-s-story Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:29:26 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/03/03/a-new-song-in-the-silence-tiffany-s-story
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/03/03/a-new-song-in-the-silence-tiffany-s-story#comments 0 What Our Neighbors Told Us — 2025 Atlanta Community Food Bank Survey Results https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/19/what-our-neighbors-told-us-2025-atlanta-community-food-bank-survey-results Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:52:08 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/19/what-our-neighbors-told-us-2025-atlanta-community-food-bank-survey-results
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/19/what-our-neighbors-told-us-2025-atlanta-community-food-bank-survey-results#comments 0 Expanding Food Access Through Partnership: How a Cohort with the Atlanta Community Food Bank Helped Launch the Real Life Center's Summer Buddies Program https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/17/expanding-food-access-through-partnership-how-a-cohort-with-the-atlanta-community-food-bank-helped-launch-the-real-life-center-s-summer-buddies-program Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:16:40 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/17/expanding-food-access-through-partnership-how-a-cohort-with-the-atlanta-community-food-bank-helped-launch-the-real-life-center-s-summer-buddies-program
In 2025, the Real Life Center was honored to participate in the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s (ACFB) Transforming Access Together Accelerator, a leadership development cohort designed to help nonprofits expand their food access programs and build long-term operational capacity. The Accelerator brings together high-impact partner agencies—nine in the 2025 cohort—to strengthen food distribution systems and create innovative ways to serve neighbors facing food insecurity.

As part of this program, cohort partners receive specialized training, collaborative support, and grants ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 to fund infrastructure improvements, such as refrigeration, delivery vehicles, or expanded distribution capacity. The initiative aligns with ACFB’s broader Transforming Access Together model, which emphasizes removing barriers, increasing distribution opportunities, and ensuring equitable, consistent access to food for all neighbors (EIN Presswire).

For the Real Life Center—an organization whose core ministry for more than 25 years has included providing food to families in crisis—this cohort became the launching point for a significant new initiative: the Summer Buddies Program.

Identifying a Gap: Food Insecurity During the Summer Months

During the school year, the Real Life Center with Fayette County schools helps to ensure that children facing food insecurity have nutritious meals on weekends. But when summer break arrives, thousands of children across Georgia lose access to school-provided meals—often their most reliable source of food.

As part of the Accelerator’s research and development process, our Client Care & Special Programs Director, Jennifer Nolder, explored ways the Real Life Center could expand food distribution specifically to support children during the summer months.

During that process, Jennifer identified the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program, which provides weekday lunches during the summer months to students facing food insecurity, as indicated by their school counselors. This program was already doing vital work—and it was the perfect foundation for a new collaborative approach.

Birth of the Summer Buddies Program

Through our involvement in the ACFB cohort, and after extensive research, planning, and prayer, the Real Life Center launched the Summer Buddies Program in May 2025. According to the program outline, the inaugural year ran May 26, 2025, through August 1, 2025, covering the full span of Fayette County Schools’ summer break.

While the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program provided weekday lunches, the Real Life Center filled critical gaps by supplying families with:
  • Breakfast foods
  • Dinner items
  • Weekend meal supplies
These supplemental food bags helped ensure that children had consistent access to nutritious meals beyond the weekday lunch provided by the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program.

This collaboration allowed us not only to support children but also to connect with families who may not have known about our other services, including financial assistance, life skills programs, and our year-round participation in Backpack Buddies. The program was also designed to reach families who previously struggled to access resources due to transportation barriers, since our volunteers delivered meals directly to designated stops across the county.

A Vehicle for Greater Impact: Funding Through ACFB and a Generous Donor

As the Summer Buddies Program began to take shape, it became clear that a dedicated vehicle would be essential for delivering meals throughout the county. Through the Accelerator, the Atlanta Community Food Bank awarded grant funding, and together with another generous donor, provided the resources the Real Life Center needed to purchase a delivery van—an investment noted in the project budget.

This van now serves not only Summer Buddies but also other Real Life Center programs that expand food distribution throughout Fayette and Coweta counties.

Built on Partnership. Rooted in Service. Growing in Hope.

The Summer Buddies Program is a testament to what can happen when community organizations work together with a shared purpose. Our partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank through the Transforming Access Together Accelerator strengthened our ability to dream, innovate, and expand. Our partnership with the Fayette County Summer Lunch Program ensured that children received the meals they needed throughout their summer break—weekdays and weekends, and mornings and evenings.

And at the heart of it all is our mission:
Showing our neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living.

The Real Life Center is excited to see how the Summer Buddies Program grows in 2026 and beyond. With each new summer, we have the opportunity to reach more families, build stronger relationships, and ensure that no child in our community goes hungry while school is out.

We are deeply grateful for the partners who have joined with us—ACFB, local donors, volunteers, school counselors, and the incredible Fayette County Summer Lunch team. Together, we are expanding food access and bringing hope to families right here at home.

Sources

EIN Presswire. (2025, February 7). Atlanta Community Food Bank launches new
Transforming Access Together cohort. EIN Presswire. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/784056059/atlanta-community-food-bank-launches-new-transforming-access-together-cohort

Atlanta Community Food Bank. (n.d.). Partner Resources: Transforming Access Together. https://www.acfb.org/partner-resources/partner-resources-tat/
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/17/expanding-food-access-through-partnership-how-a-cohort-with-the-atlanta-community-food-bank-helped-launch-the-real-life-center-s-summer-buddies-program#comments 0 From Uncertainty to Unshakable Hope: Marisol's Story https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/12/from-uncertainty-to-unshakable-hope-marisol-s-story Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:12:09 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/12/from-uncertainty-to-unshakable-hope-marisol-s-story
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/02/12/from-uncertainty-to-unshakable-hope-marisol-s-story#comments 0 Stepping Into 2026 with Hope: What Last Year's Impact Reveals https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/01/21/stepping-into-2026-with-hope-what-last-year-s-impact-reveals Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:23:31 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/01/21/stepping-into-2026-with-hope-what-last-year-s-impact-reveals
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/01/21/stepping-into-2026-with-hope-what-last-year-s-impact-reveals#comments 0 The Road to Restoration: Sam’s Story https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/01/15/the-road-to-restoration-sam-s-story Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:02:19 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/01/15/the-road-to-restoration-sam-s-story
Each day on her commute through Coweta County, a local woman passed a man walking along Highway 34. Like many of us, she often wondered where he was headed, but one day, she felt a distinct prompting to stop and talk to him.

That man was Sam.

She soon learned that Sam was experiencing homelessness. He was often walking long distances just to get to work or run essential errands. Over time, she built a relationship with him—offering rides, food, and clothing—while listening to his story. She learned about his childhood, his struggles, and the circumstances that led him to live outdoors.

The Power of Connection
Knowing the mission of the Real Life Center, she brought Sam in to meet with us. After hearing his background, one thing became clear: a steady job was the key to breaking the cycle.

We reached out to a local pastor who owns a small business, hoping to bridge the gap. In addition to providing Sam with immediate food and resources, we began facilitating a connection that could change everything.

Gradually, Then Suddenly
Miracles often happen gradually, then all at once. We believe God has a unique way of weaving lives together, making connections over time so that He can perform a "suddenly" moment.

While this story is still being written and the outcome isn't yet certain, we know God is at work. Our strategy has always been to connect our clients with both the Real Life Center and the wider community. In Sam’s case, that story is being co-authored by a faithful neighbor and a community partner.

Stay tuned as we follow Sam’s journey toward a new chapter.
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2026/01/15/the-road-to-restoration-sam-s-story#comments 0 A Fruitful Year in the Orchard https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2025/12/23/a-fruitful-year-in-the-orchard Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2025/12/23/a-fruitful-year-in-the-orchard
This year, the Real Life Center Orchard continued to bless families in our community in incredible ways. In 2025, we distributed 7,177 pounds of fresh fruit harvested from the orchard to families in need. While the orchard produced approximately 7,500 pounds, some blueberries and muscadines were shared with volunteer pickers during our U-Pick 4 Others events—a fun way for groups to serve and give back.

Ten volunteer groups, including Hoshizaki, Passion Trilith, Eaton, and others, joined us during blueberry season to help with harvesting. In total, it took 2,645 volunteer hours to prune, fertilize, spray, mow, and harvest throughout the year. We are so grateful for every hand that helped make this possible!

This year also brought exciting improvements. Thanks to a grant from the Peachtree City Rotary Club, we added electricity to the garage that houses our orchard vehicles and chemicals—making operations more efficient year-round. Volunteers also received expert training from the Fayette UGA Extension on best practices for pruning apples, blueberries, and peaches. And as a fun highlight, our orchard was even featured in a commercial!

For over 15 years, the Real Life Center Orchard has been a source of nourishment and hope for families facing hardship. We continue to place this ministry in God’s hands, asking Him to use it to bless families for years to come. Thank you to all who have faithfully prayed for the hands that care for the orchard and the hands of those who enjoy its fruit. We look forward to another fruitful year in 2026!
]]> https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2025/12/23/a-fruitful-year-in-the-orchard#comments 0 Education With Purpose: 2025 Year-End Impact https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2025/12/23/education-with-purpose-2025-year-end-impact Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.reallifecenter.org/blog/2025/12/23/education-with-purpose-2025-year-end-impact
As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are reminded of our mission: Showing our neighbors the love of Christ by providing necessities for stable living. One of the ways we live out this mission is by offering educational classes that encourage growth—both practically and spiritually. These classes are more than lessons; they are opportunities to share hope, build confidence, and strengthen community.

This month, clients enjoyed two highly practical sessions: “Acing Your Job Interview” and “How to Start a Budget.” These classes equipped participants with tools for navigating the job market and managing finances—skills that create stability for families. In addition, classes centered on Biblical messages of hope, peace, and joy reminded participants of God’s promises during a season that can be challenging for many. Another favorite, “Wired for Purpose: Aligning Your Strengths with God’s Will,” helped individuals discover how their unique gifts can glorify God and serve others.

And of course, no month would be complete without one of Lori’s famous cooking classes! Clients love learning from Lori—not only because she shares practical tips and creative recipes, but because sampling the delicious results is always the highlight of the day. Her class brought smiles, laughter, and a sense of community that warmed our hearts.

2025 Year-End Impact
This year, 926 individuals attended 159 classes designed to help families thrive. Our classes fall into six categories, each addressing a different area of life:

  • Career Development: 19 classes (12%) | 71 participants (8%)
  • Emotional Wellness: 29 classes (18%) | 159 participants (17%)
  • Financial Skills: 18 classes (11%) | 85 participants (9%)
  • Physical: 30 classes (19%) | 276 participants (30%)
  • Relational Growth: 12 classes (8%) | 70 participants (8%)
  • Spiritual Growth: 51 classes (32%) | 265 participants (29%)

From practical skills like budgeting and resume building to spiritual encouragement and cooking tips, these classes reflect our commitment to holistic care—meeting needs and nurturing hearts.

Why It Matters
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” – Proverbs 1:5

Education is a powerful tool for transformation. When combined with Biblical truth, it becomes a source of hope and strength. Every class is an opportunity to remind our neighbors that they are valued and equipped for a brighter future.

We are so grateful for every teacher who invests their time and talents to help others thrive. If you have a skill, passion, or life experience that could make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s parenting, healthy living, finances, gardening, or even pickling and canning—your knowledge could be a blessing to someone in need.

Interested in teaching a class? Contact Tessa Henson at thenson@reallifecenter.org. Together, we can help others grow in every area of life!
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