Union City nonprofit Christian City casts a big shadow as a small business.
The Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, in partnership with South Fulton Chamber of Commerce, recognized it as its small business of the month for August.
“We can’t describe the gratitude we feel at having Christian City so close to us and such a part of us,” chamber President and CEO Dyan Matthews, who nominated the nonprofit, said in a statement. “This organization is a blessing and an asset to the entire Aerotropolis.”
According to a news release, the nonprofit is a “unique community” operating programs benefiting at-risk youth and others in need.
It supports youth victims of abuse or neglect and provides temporary shelter for children who feel they are in danger living on the streets.
Nonprofit Executive Vice President George Martin said metro Atlanta has a high volume of children and young adult victims of human trafficking.
“A child or a young person on the streets in Atlanta is approached by some element of the human trafficking industry within 24 to 48 hours,” he said in a statement. “We offer a safe space for those kids to get off the streets and hopefully reunited with families and to stop being victimized.”
The nonprofit was established as a cottage for abused and abandoned children in 1965, the release stated.
Now there are more than 1,000 children and senior adults living on its campus, which includes a Children’s Village, homes for active seniors, a 200-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, 150-bed assisted living center and two memory care units.
The organization also offers foster care and adoption.
Union City Mayor Vince Williams said the nonprofit is part of the fabric of the community.
“Christian City is an important and vital resource to Union City of course, but also all of metro Atlanta and the world,” Williams said in a statement. “Their mission is vitally important and we are proud to support them.”
Because of its award, the nonprofit qualifies as a finalist for the alliance’s small business of the year award, to be announced in December.
Information: alliance, 404-349-2211 or http://bit.ly/1Scwj7r; nonprofit, 770-964-3301 or https://bit.ly/1WAkjlf