Prepare your forks, foodies! A Taste of Glynn returns to The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on March 29th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. This annual epicurean extravaganza that benefits the Glynn Community Crisis Center has been a staple of delectable edibles for many years.
The Crisis Center is a vital community asset for victims of domestic violence. They are responsible for Amity House, the temporary emergency shelter, and the long-term residential Hope House.
Hope House was developed by the center to assist female victims of domestic violence and their children who have permanently left their abusive situation. It is a three-unit apartment complex that offers victims exiting Amity House rent-free furnished apartments with utility assistance and internet access. In lieu of paying rent, participants of the program contribute 30% of their adjusted gross income that goes into a savings account.
Since Hope House opened, its residents, who are permitted to live there for up to two years, are encouraged to learn effective budget making and money management. They are given the opportunity to further their education, financial and employment assistance, parenting support and instruction in helpful parenting skills and offered counseling to improve their self-esteem and become financially and emotionally self-sufficient.
Over the past six years, Hope House has helped a total of 21 women and 26 children. Due to having clear goals that are met and accomplished, as well as strong case management, most of the women are moving to safe and stable housing after about nine months.
The Hope House team includes many special volunteers. Mary Allen tutored a woman that was unable to pass the GED test. After working with Mary for a couple of months, she successfully passed the GED and went on to attend college. Andrea Campbell tutors and mentors one of the children at Hope House. She works with him once a week and there has been significant improvement at school. His teacher and principal praised his incredible improvement in the last few months. This child is no longer behind in his studies and is able to work along with the other students in his class.
The “two Chris’s,” Chris and Christopher Ryals, have provided many volunteer hours to assist in the maintenance of Hope House. Most recently they installed a desperately needed new swing set that was purchased to replace an old one that was in disrepair.
Amity House is also a place for change. Recently EIL received a note from “Faith,” a former resident of the shelter:
“I entered into the Amity House Shelter in fear for my life and the life of my young daughter in the Spring of 2013. Though I had made several attempts to leave my abuser over the course of our 9 year relationship, I was certain that had I not escaped when I did, both my daughter and I would be dead today.
Unsure of my next move, I called the Glynn Community Crisis Center’s Crisis Hotline where I spoke with a caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable advocate that helped me create a safety plan to leave my abuser. Within three days, my daughter and I were safely out of the home that caused us so much pain and on our way to Brunswick. During my stay at Amity house, I created goals and worked with an advocate assigned to my case to become empowered to achieve those goals on my own.
While at Amity House, I quickly became employed enabling me to support myself and my daughter independently. Because of the high level of confidentiality at Amity House, I was able to secure safe and stable housing. I am now blessed with the opportunity to educate others within my community of the dangers of domestic violence and convey the same type of hope that I received from Glynn Community Crisis Center almost two years ago.”
This year marks the 15th Anniversary of A Taste of Glynn. Local restaurants, caterers, & chefs will be showcasing new and exciting dishes while competing in multiple culinary categories. There will be live music by Michael Hulett, Triage and The Three of Us. The live auction will return, as well as the wine raffle and silent auction, featuring valuable local art, vacation packages, and much more. Tickets are $40 per person in advance or $50 at the door and can be purchased online or at participating ticket locations.
For more information on the event and ticket sales locations, visit www.atasteofglynn.com or call 912.264.1348. To get the latest updates about participating restaurants, silent auctions items and entertainment, follow A Taste of Glynn on Facebook (facebook.com/atasteofglynn) too.
