Heritage Community Foundation Presents Grant to Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence (aka Promise Place)

Jonesboro, Ga. (June 13, 2016) – On May 25, 2016, Board Members of the Heritage Community Foundation introduced Vanessa Wilkins, Executive Director, Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence (also known as Promise Place) to David and Linda Clark, owners of C&C Fence Company in McDonough. C&C Fence Company, a Heritage Community Foundation Partner, has agreed to provide Promise Place with a sliding gate, call box, and gate security system for its shelter. According to Ms. Wilkins, the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they are leaving or have attempted to leave an abusive situation. Their present wooden gate is not stable and can be easily opened from the outside. Currently, a staff member must physically open and close the gate each time a client leaves or enters as well as during shift changes. The secure gate will provide a new level of emotional and physical safety for the women and children residing in the shelter.

The mission of Promise Place is to prevent domestic violence through awareness programs and educational training and provide safe environments for victims and their families by utilizing legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and transitional housing. Promise Place provides safety and relief for women and children escaping abuse who would otherwise be homeless, seriously injured, or killed. The average stay for women and children at Promise Place is 45 days.

Promise Place, originally called The Fayette County Council on Battered Women, was incorporated in 1987. Over the years, the organization grew and the name was changed to Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence. More services were added including legal advocacy and support groups. Today, Promise Place has an office in each of the 4 counties in the judicial circuit. It also provides services to over 3,000 individuals per year through emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, crisis counseling, a teen dating violence prevention program in all area high schools, and community education.

For more information on how to apply for a grant with Heritage Community Foundation, make a donation or volunteer, please visit www.heritagecommunityfoundation.org. You may also contact Rocky Davis, Executive Director, at 770-478-8881.

Heritage Community Foundation (HCF) is a 501c3 organization which provides funding to local nonprofit organizations in Clayton, Henry and Fayette counties. HCF is designed to support Heritage Bank’s first mission, “Committed to those we serve.” The bank absorbs all of the operating costs of the foundation, so 100% of the funds raised go directly to meet community needs.

Heritage Bank, a state chartered commercial bank, has been serving metro Atlanta’s Southern Crescent since 1955. The independent community bank has six full-service offices, features a well-rounded offering of commercial and consumer products, and is an active, involved member of the community it serves. The company’s stock is traded under the symbol “CCFH”.

Photo Front left to right:  Sheri Dockweiler, HCF; David and Linda Clark, owners C&C Fence Company; Vanessa Wilkins, Executive Director of Fayette Council on Domestic Violence; Stacy Hammons, HCF; Roxanne Rogers, HCF Back left to right:  Rocky Davis, HCF; Rochelle Hehir, HCF; Pamela Cisneros, HCF