On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, the Old Savannah City Mission and
Century Investors will begin a partnership aimed at showcasing
the skills of some of Savannah’s citizens who are
attempting to rebuild their lives after being incarcerated. The
men are participants in the Mission’s Fresh Start Program
which targets individuals who, while incarcerated, came to faith
in Christ and demonstrated a genuine desire for a “fresh
start” in life. The men from the Fresh Start Program will
help improve the appearance of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Apartments located in the 400 and 500 blocks of West 33rd and
34th Streets. The complex extends across historic Martin Luther
King, Jr., Boulevard in Savannah. Century Investors, Limited
purchased and fully renovated the 82-unit Martin Luther King,
Jr., Boulevard Apartments from 1992 thru 1994, more than 15
years ago. Prior to this restoration, they were some of the
City’s most dilapidated properties. Rehabilitation of the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Apartments had a positive
impact on housing conditions in the area. This project was one
of the catalysts for a property improvement surge in the
surrounding neighborhoods which continues even today. The Martin
Luther King, Jr. Apartments are now in need of a major
face-lift, especially the landscaping and wooden exteriors, and
the men of the Old Savannah City Mission Fresh Start Program
will help respond to this community development challenge.
According to Robert E. James, Managing General Partner of
Century Investors, the work to be done by the men will include
improving the landscaping and fencing in a highly visible part
of the complex. “This is the first phase of what we hope
will be a major enhancement to these affordable rental
apartments,” he said.
Rev. Jim Lewis, Executive Director of Old Savannah City Mission,
located at 2414 Bull Street, said he is excited about this
opportunity for the men in the Fresh Start Program to
participate in a very challenging construction task. “Our
men will showcase their skills on this project so that other
developers and contractors will be able to see what they can
do,” he said. “If these citizens are to be
successful in their efforts to transition back into society, we
must help them find employment opportunities,” he added.
Old Savannah City Mission is Savannah’s only Five Star
Gospel Rescue Mission. Its mission is to change lives through
proclaiming the Gospel, feeding the hungry, sheltering the
homeless, rehabilitating the addict and restoring the
ex-offender. The Mission, which began in 2006, is a bridge from
incarceration to a place in the community. The goal is to help
individuals become productive members of society and never
return to crime and prison. Statistics show that nearly 70% of
all inmates who are released return to prison within three
years.
The Mission is working diligently to stem the tide of
ex-offenders returning to prison. Transitional housing is
provided for some of these men in a duplex on West 59th Street,
and Mission officials refer to the men as students to emphasize
the learning process that is essential for them to transition
from incarceration to being productive citizens.
Old Savannah City Mission is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt
organization that neither requests, nor receives any federal,
state, or local taxpayer money. It subsists solely on donations
from individuals, churches, businesses and foundations.
Financial support is welcomed and needed. Individuals who wish
to make donations or would like additional information about the
Old Savannah City Mission should call Connell Stiles at
912-232-2979.