Sunday School class' ministry leads to Boys' Home grant

Benjamin Brown

David Wade and Dale Burrell, members of North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, spend time with a resident at the Positive Growth Boys Home in Clarkston. Members of North Metro First Baptist have been involved with the home for the past nine years.

LAWRENCEVILLE — A Clarkston-based boys’ home is getting a new kitchen thanks to the ingenuity of a Georgia Baptist couple.

Doug and Mary Youngblood, members of North Metro First Baptist Church, became involved with the outreach to the Positive Growth Boys Home five years ago through their Sunday School class. During that time they saw up close how Executive Director Joseph Arnold and his staff worked to provide a structured, safe environment for young males 6-18 years old.

Last summer Mary applied for a grant through her employer, BeautiControl, out of Dallas, Texas and Women Helping Others (WHO) to offset the cost for renovating the kitchen in the 1906 Victorian home. The result was a $60,000 grant.

“When we joined our Sunday School class they had already been very involved in the boys’ home for nine years,” she said. “After awhile I felt a call to spend more time over there. Many of these boys have never been part of a family.”

Each year class members would provide Christmas for each boy at the home. In addition, Doug, a fishing guide, would volunteer his time with others to take residents on trips to Lake Lanier where they would have cookouts and receive goody bags. Other classes and members of North Metro have given support through avenues such as setting up basketball games with food and gifts to follow.

Benjamin Brown

Casey Goins, left, his father Steve, two residents of Positive Growth, Fay Wade, and staffer Laquita Williams have pizza.

“A group of us began making dinners to spend more time with the boys,” said Mary. “We wanted them to know we cared about their future. Many of them have never been part of a family. We don’t often consider that.”

Approximately 25 boys live at the home, having been plucked from dangerous situations and arriving with little more than the clothes on them. The lowest estimate for renovating the kitchen, said Youngblood, was $90,500. The home had budgeted $40,000.

Prior to the announcement Youngblood had expected the total amount in grants to reach perhaps $10,000, helping with the kitchen project, but not ?completing it. Her reaction to hearing Positive Growth had received the largest grant from WHO to date can be understood.

“I was boo-hooing when they announced it,” she said. “As soon as I walked off the stage I asked for a phone and called Joseph. I asked if he was sitting down, which made him think it was bad news. When I told him what happened he kept saying ‘Jesus. Oh Jesus, look what you’ve done!’”

“When I heard the news I fell to my knees in grace,” said Arnold. “I was speechless.”

Youngblood said the gift was well-earned.

“The staff at Positive Growth is just precious. We have so much respect for them. They’re trying to do it God’s way. It’s not like any other [group] home. Joseph has built the characteristics of Christ into it – mercy, and forgiveness, yet being accountable. They make such a difference on these boys.”

“This has been a dream for the past ten years,” said Arnold. “This helps build self-esteem and social skills. We started saving three years ago and with this grant it’s finally going to happen. This kitchen will always be there; a symbol of stability for us.

“Currently we eat in three shifts. This will provide a kitchen big enough for all of us to sit together and share a meal – as a family.”