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New program aims to aid homeless
Director wants to help people get back on their feet
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Lindsey McCamy, director of Family Promise of Hall County, stands outside of the building that will serve as the organization’s day center on Lanier Avenue in Gainesville. The day center gives guests access to a professional social worker, and a place to pursue employment, shower and do laundry. Family Promise helps homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence. - photo by SARA GUEVARA | The Times
Inspired by her parents’ efforts in Dalton, Lindsey McCamy sought to start a program geared to helping the homeless in Hall County.“God just put it on my heart that this is a ministry ... Gainesville could benefit from,” she said. “With the economy, there are a lot of people who just don’t have jobs and are just one paycheck away from being (homeless).”McCamy left her work as a landscape architect to become director of Family Promise of Hall County, one of about 170 affiliates in a national organization. “I have no background in any of this,” she said.The program, set to launch May 20, calls for housing and meals provided at area churches and counseling services, budgeting classes and other services taking place at an established “day center.”The program’s website declares: “Our mission is to help put an end to homelessness one family at a time.”McCamy and Dawn Wood, both members of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, approached each other over a year ago about starting such a program.“One day, I was thinking about it and that we have so much space in our church, why don’t we do something to take care of homeless people?” said Wood, who heads the Family Promise board of directors.