New center opens to provide community services

BUFORD - Mercy Tree Ministries, located near the Hall and Gwinnett County line in the Holiday Crossing Shopping Center in Buford, is a nonprofit organization center that will officially open in April to provide a wide range of social services to people in need.

The ministry began offering financial assistance and a food bank in August 2002 while in New Bethany Baptist Church on Holiday Road and moved to its current location at 3280 McEver Road, Suite 103 in January 2004.

Mercy Tree CEO and New Bethany Pastor Marty Duren established the ministry.

"While researching church attendance in the surrounding area," says Duren, "I found that not only were families and individuals not getting the spiritual and emotional support that a faith-based community provides; they were not getting the practical help they needed."

The primary function of the organization, helping women and families in crisis, meets a genuine need in the area.

Director Brenda Armstrong comes to Mercy Tree with following a stint as director of Single Parent Ministry for Crown Financial Ministries in Gainesville. Armstrong developed a training seminar and teaching materials to show others how to meet the needs of low-income people, especially single parent families.

"I see this center as a continuation of the work I did with Crown," states Armstrong. "Now I can offer on a local basis a model for what I am teaching on the national level."

The offices are open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The center will continue to offer limited financial assistance and food and has added a pregnancy care component with pregnancy testing and an incentive program that will help provide maternity and baby clothing and baby items. The center also has a computer lab to help prepare people for the workplace.

"As resources allow, we will offer budget counseling, career assessments, and classes on English as a Second Language, Spanish as a Second Language, computer literacy and skill building, GED preparation, job readiness, and life skills," said Armstrong.

She said Mercy Tree encourages community churches and organizations to become involved. "We need financial support, volunteers, and would like to offer additional services and small groups to meet specific needs like spiritual discipleship, weight control, money management, peer support, or overcoming addiction."

A Grand Opening Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, April 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The community is invited to stop by to see the facility, meet the staff, and enjoy refreshments.