The GreenHouse, the child advocacy/sexual assault center serving the Conasauga Judicial Circuit since 1995, is developing an office in Chatsworth.
“This has long been a strategic objective of the GreenHouse Board of Directors, and we are thrilled it is at last becoming a reality,” said John Carmichael, interim co-chair of the board.
The GreenHouse, a United Way agency, serves children who are the victims of sexual and/or physical abuse. Services provided by the GreenHouse include forensic interviews, advocacy and therapy. Adult victims of sexual assault can also be served by the GreenHouse.
“Therapy is where the healing starts,” Carmichael said. “More than one-third of our cases originate in Murray County, and yet those clients are far less likely to take advantage of free weekly therapy sessions, often because of challenges surrounding transportation and scheduling. Having a GreenHouse location in Murray County will be a tremendous advantage to those families.”
The Murray County GreenHouse will be on Fort Street in a house that most recently housed the Salvation Army and before that the Red Cross.
For Jennifer Latour, executive director of the GreenHouse, opening an office in Murray County is a dream come true.
“Our ability to serve our clients close to home is essential to their long-term success and recovery,” she said. “We are so grateful for all the support we have received to make this dream a reality.”
She cited Murray County Sole Commissioner Greg Hogan who made the property available to the GreenHouse for lease at $1 per year. Also, Sheriff Jimmy Davenport has been a champion for the project for more than a year. The city of Chatsworth has also provided site preparation services.
For Gale Buckner, a member of the GreenHouse board a decade ago and again since last year, it is a project whose time has come.
“The need has always been there, but the time was never right before. Many of us on the board believe God has had his hand on this project to bring it to life.”
Sherrie Patterson, also a GreenHouse board member, said the Murray County community has already demonstrated outstanding support for a satellite GreenHouse in Chatsworth. She cited Leonard Brothers Construction that provided construction consultation, and the GrandView at Fort Mountain which named the GreenHouse as beneficiary of its annual 2023 Christmas Gala. In addition, the Chatsworth Lions Club, Oglethorpe Power, Murray County Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, area churches and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s office have provided early support for the project.
For Pam Partain, also interim co-chair, the Murray County GreenHouse is “déjà vu all over again.” Partain, who was actively involved in developing the original GreenHouse nearly 30 years ago when her husband Jack was district attorney, recalls the “tremendous spirit of community support and collaboration” that made the original GreenHouse happen. “We are seeing that same spirit of giving this time in Murray County. Community involvement is inspiring,” she said.
The original and current GreenHouse site is in a bungalow on East Morris Street in Dalton. The property was gifted to the GreenHouse board by Mohawk Industries which previously owned it. The original GreenHouse was recently completely renovated to meet current needs; it is hoped the Murray County GreenHouse will resemble the original house in appearance and character.
“It is tragic circumstances that bring a child to us in the first place,” said Latour, “but the GreenHouse is a place for healing and wholeness to be restored.”
Submitted by the GreenHouse Child Advocacy & Sexual Assault Center.