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MSP Newsletter Fall 2025

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Restorations Newsletter

Bringing the love of God to the most vulnerable among us

I was getting ready to leave the shelter one day when a little 5-year-old girl waved at me excitedly and asked if she could see my earrings. Her mom was cooking at the stove and said, “She loves earrings!” I showed my earrings to the little girl, and she wanted to know if I wore them when I was sleeping. I smiled and told her I did not because they would get bent. She tilted her head, looked up at me and asked, “Do you have a home?”

Last year, 48% of our residents were children. Before arriving at My Sister’s Place (MSP), many of these kids were sleeping in their car with

mom while she frantically searched for a place to stay. All of us at MSP are eternally grateful for the support of our community, which allows us to provide these kids with a nurturing home environment while mom works to get back into a stable housing situation.

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Thank you for being part of our journey at MSP, as we bring the love of God to the most vulnerable among us.

Summer Fun Days

“This was the best day of my life!” One of our kiddos shared this with a volunteer during our Summer Fun Day, which featured a bouncy house, a cookout, our very own petting zoo, fresh popcorn, and an ice cream bar with all the toppings. Big thanks to our Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah Morton, and her family for bringing the bouncy house, and to Linda Hobbs and Virginia at Pony Perfect Party for the adorable farm animals!

Shelter Needs

• Bath towels/Face towels

• Twin Sheet Sets

• New standard bed pillows

• Laundry Detergent

• Snacks for kids (granola bars, chips, crackers, etc.)

• Paper towels

• Feminine protection products

• Gas cards (for transportation to work)

• Bottled water

Office Phone: 770-532-5111

Physical Location: 2480 Martin Luther King Blvd., Unit 4, Gainesville, GA 30501

Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am - 4:30pm

*If you are in need of shelter, please call our service line at 770-503-1181

Celebrating Independence

*Kris graduated from Celebrate Recovery determined to move forward in her life and find lasting stability, but nothing seemed to be working out. Over time, her soul became weary, but she would not give up. Things began to turn around when she learned we had room for her at My Sister’s Place. She was grateful to have found a place that would give her a real chance at a fresh start in life. She wasted no time launching into a job search that led her to a temporary warehouse position. Her hard work and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. That role quickly became permanent, and before long, she earned a well-deserved promotion. Remarkably, Kris achieved all of this without a car. Her job was a good distance from the shelter, so she relied on Uber for her daily commute. She was sacrificing a significant portion of her paycheck each week just to get to work. The financial strain could have derailed her progress, but Kris never quit. She pushed through that difficult time, not

devotions reminded her that God also sees her, and He is for her (Romans 8:31). Finally, the day came when Kris was able to purchase a reliable vehicle. This was quickly followed by the wonderful news that we had an opening for her in one of our transitional housing units. Now, when she is not at work, Kris spends her time working on her GED so she can move forward with her dream of pursuing a career in social services. Recently, Kris told our staff, “I don’t know where I would be without you guys.”

*Not

When you give to MSP, you are changing the lives of women like Kris. We can’t wait to see all that God is going to do in her life and the ripple effects of her extraordinary journey. Thank you for being part of her story!

“Let’s keep serving, supporting, and spreading hopetogether.” – Serving Hope Volunteer Chair, Alison Lamay

The rain did not deter the players who came out to polish their skills at our first annual tennis clinic, Serving Hope. We appreciate Brenau University allowing us to quickly move to their indoor courts so the pros could run their drills on dry courts. A very special thanks goes to our Volunteer Chair Alison Lamay, along with Martha Darby, Carmen Hermes, and Elicra Pinkerton for pulling this entire event together! Visit our News & Events page to stay up to date on Serving Hope 2026, as well as all of our upcoming events.

Sweet Success

The kids at My Sister’s Place spent a delightful afternoon with our staff learning the basics of baking. These little ones whipped up some very yummy treats, which were enjoyed by everyone! If you have a special talent for working with kids and would like to know how you can be a part of moments like this, please reach out to Sarah, our Volunteer Coordinator, at smorton@my-sisters-place.org.

Round-up for Hope

Thank you to Roland Stanley at The Stag Chophouse for hosting a Spring Round-up Campaign for MSP during the month of May!

Sisters of Hope has officially launched!

On June 7th, training began for our Sisters of Hope volunteer mentors. The goal of this very special group of dedicated women is to provide spiritual and emotional support for our residents as they walk alongside them on their journey to self-sufficiency. The seven-hour training covered trauma, mandated reporting, and de-escalation skills. The mentors were also given resources and conversation starter ideas. Mentors are now being matched with mentees, and we can’t wait to see how these new relationships blossom. The guidance, encouragement, and connection they offer will leave a lasting impact well beyond our residents' time at the shelter. If you are interested in participating in this life-changing program, please contact Sarah Morton, our Volunteer Coordinator, at smorton@my-sisters-place.org.

A Belle for MSP

We are thrilled to announce that Mason McNally will be representing MSP this year at the Junior League Gainesville-Hall County 73rd Annual Charity Ball. Mason is a senior at North Hall High School, currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which has challenged her academically and helped her grow into a well-rounded, globally minded student. As a proud member of the North Hall High School volleyball team, she’s developed strong leadership skills and learned the value of teamwork. Recently, Mason shared with us that she is “incredibly excited for the opportunity to represent My Sister’s Place because I deeply admire their commitment to helping women and children in need. I’m looking forward to supporting such a meaningful cause and making a positive impact in my community.”

resident's real name

Boutique News

This year has been extraordinarily busy for the team at My Sister’s Resale Boutique. Donations have been pouring in, and our incredible staff and volunteers are working hard to get them sorted and ready for display in our store.

When a single woman or family arrives at My Sister’s Place shelter, one of the first things they do is shop at the boutique for any items they may need, such as clothing for work or school. This is true not only for our residents, but also for residents of other local shelters such as the Salvation Army, Family Promise, Gateway, and others in our community who are unhoused. So please keep the donations coming! Your items are a huge blessing to many who are in need in our community. If you have a passion for fashion and would like to volunteer at our donation center or boutique, please reach out to Sarah Morton, our Volunteer Coordinator, at smorton@my-sisters-place.org.

Golden Glam

Easter Baskets and Cookouts

The weather was just perfect on the day of the cookout and Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Gainesville Phoenix Woman's Club. The ladies also partnered with Stephen’s Point subdivision to deliver some amazing Easter baskets!

Done in a Day

Our storage closets are organized and beautiful thanks to a visit from the wonderful women of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. It was all Done in a Day, and we are grateful for their hard work, as well as the funds needed to purchase shelving, storage bins, and other supplies.

They walked the red carpet in style! The Gainesville Hall-County Senior Life Center hosted its First Annual Fashion Show, featuring clothing and accessories from My Sister’s Resale Boutique.

Cargill Gives Back

It's always a good day when our friends from Cargill are here. We appreciate the team spending time with us working on projects at our Resale Boutique. They were a tremendous help!

Please help us welcome our new Shelter Manager, Erica McCabe! Erica comes to us with extensive experience in community living environments and recovery. Before she arrived at MSP, she was the Intake Coordinator at Good Landing Recovery, a Christ-centered addiction recovery program. She has a true passion for helping women and children in crisis, and we are blessed to have her on our team.

Summer Heat / Cool Car Show

The summer heat didn’t stop the Lost And Found Road Warriors from putting on a very cool car show to benefit My Sister’s Place! We want to thank warriors David, Danielle, and Noah for hosting this unique event. With over 30 cars represented, it was tough to choose our favorite, but in the end, we decided the 1928 Ford Model A Roadster was our favorite!

“I have lost almost all hope and I do not know where to turn any longer.” – email received from K.O. 3/24/25

Become a Hope Hero and make a life-changing impact on women and children experiencing homelessness in our community. With your recurring monthly gift, you will immediately provide critical shelter, clothing, life skills training, and most importantly, a deeper understanding of the love and grace of God that brings Hope for a brighter future. Join us and be the Hero these women and children need to find a new beginning.

Monthly Donors Needed
New Shelter Manager
Meet Rae. She is one of our awesome office volunteers.

Use the QR code or email us at info@my-sisters-place.org to subscribe and receive the latest updates from My Sister's Place.

• Pray: Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for our residents and staff.

• Give: Your gift of any amount makes a difference in the lives of the women and children served by My Sister’s Place.

• Share: Share this newsletter and the mission of My Sister’s Place with your church, neighbors, and co-workers. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ MSPGAINESVILLE

• Volunteer: From sorting donations to helping with building maintenance or answering phone calls, volunteers are an essential part of the MSP family.

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