While others are complaining about the lack of services for people in crisis, Bobigene Pack is doing something about it. Affectionately called Ms. Bobbi, Pack is helping families in need. Through her Love in Action Outreach Ministries, her goal is to open an emergency shelter for homeless women and children, appropriately named House of Joy, and a thrift store.
“House of Joy’s mission is to take in at-risk families, meet them at their point of need, provide services that will empower them and strengthen them to get their lives back together, reclaim their places in society and lead a path of success for others to follow,” beams Pack.
The shelter will be located in Gwinnett County. This pioneering endeavor will make House of Joy the only emergency shelter for women and children in the county.
“The number one reason people are homeless in Gwinnett County is due to foreclosures and evictions,” Pack points out. “We are honored to assist them because we are serving God by serving them. That’s very important because they are coming out of a broken situation. It will be an atmosphere that is inspiring and filled with unconditional love. The House of Joy will show the love of God in action.”
HOJ’s shelter will accommodate 30 women and children for an average stay of 90 days. The “guests” will be effectively serviced without feeling warehoused. The thrift store will serve as a community center, a place to shop for clothes and will have a food pantry filled with non-perishable foods.
Pack says HOJ is now recruiting volunteers and accepting donations. “We have been praying for volunteers. We are looking for volunteers with various skills and abilities like event planners, proofreaders, grant writers, etc.”
While Pack’s dream is close to being fulfilled, she is currently servicing this population by serving as a liaison, she offers, “We talk every day to women who are in the heat of crisis situations. We refer them to resources and services in their area. In the current economy, people are struggling.”
Pack is just bursting with ideas and activities that will ensure the success of this divinely inspired endeavor. The first of many opportunities for fellowship is the upcoming prayer breakfast on Sept. 17. Other fund raising activities include monthly craft events. –yvette caslin
For more information, visit houseofjoynorcross.org or call (404) 513-5683. The prayer breakfast will be held at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse located at 7045 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross. RSVPs are mandatory.
