Lovelady Center: Difference between revisions
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The '''Lovelady Center''' is a 9- to 12-month faith-based residential treatment and recovery center for women and children located at 7916 [[2nd Avenue South]] in the former [[East End Memorial Hospital]] in [[East Lake]]. | The '''Lovelady Center''' is a 9- to 12-month faith-based residential treatment and recovery center for women and children located at 7916 [[2nd Avenue South]] in the former [[East End Memorial Hospital]] in [[East Lake]]. | ||
The center was founded by [[Brenda Spahn]] in [[1997]] as '''Freedom Rain Ministries''', operating out of her home and ministering to women leaving the Julia Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka. She later renamed the center for her father, [[James Lovelady]]. | The center was founded by [[Brenda Spahn]] in [[1997]] as '''Freedom Rain Ministries''', operating out of her home and ministering to women leaving the Julia Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka. She later renamed the center for her father, [[James Lovelady]]. Currently the center houses about 280 women and 70 of their children. | ||
During the first five weeks of the program, adult participants complete five intensive courses in the theology of the Cross, forming healthy relationships, mind renewal, job readiness and money management, and Biblical sexuality. Over the next ten months, women continue classes in practical education and artistic expression and work with counselors to find job placement and housing. Children of residents also receive teaching and enrichment. When the center moved to the old hospital, Spahn originally did not allow children, but eventually turned an area into a "kid zone" for the parents and children. The 5,000-square-foot former emergency room area has been licensed as a day care center. | During the first five weeks of the program, adult participants complete five intensive courses in the theology of the Cross, forming healthy relationships, mind renewal, job readiness and money management, and Biblical sexuality. Over the next ten months, women continue classes in practical education and artistic expression and work with counselors to find job placement and housing. Children of residents also receive teaching and enrichment. When the center moved to the old hospital, Spahn originally did not allow children, but eventually turned an area into a "kid zone" for the parents and children. The 5,000-square-foot former emergency room area has been licensed as a day care center. | ||
In [[2009]], Lovelady Center and Freedom Rain, the financial arm of the center, parted ways due to disagreements over electronic bingo. The [[Lovelady Thrift Store]] was opened in a former Circuit City in [[Eastwood]] to benefit the center in [[2010]]. | In [[2009]], Lovelady Center and Freedom Rain, the financial arm of the center, parted ways due to disagreements over electronic bingo. The [[Lovelady Thrift Store]] was opened in a former Circuit City in [[Eastwood]] to benefit the center in [[2010]]. | ||
In [[2011]] the Lovelady Center announced plans to purchase the former [[Carraway Methodist Medical Center]] in [[Norwood]], which it will rename the '''MetroPlex'''. The center will have the ability to house as many as 1,200 clients in the former hospital. Additional space will be used for medical, dental and eye clinics, counseling and educational facilities, and various health care, non-profit and retail tenants. A [[List of churches by attendance|large church]] is also planning to open a campus at the MetroPlex, along with a hotel and banquet facilities and satellite campuses for two area universities. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Park, Dave (February 10, 2008) "Drugs divide mothers from children, but Lovelady Center restores relationships." ''Birmingham News'' | * Park, Dave (February 10, 2008) "Drugs divide mothers from children, but Lovelady Center restores relationships." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Tomberlin, Michael (January 7, 2010) "Lovelady Center charity, ministry transforming vacant Circuit City store in Eastwood into thrift store." ''Birmingham News'' | * Tomberlin, Michael (January 7, 2010) "Lovelady Center charity, ministry transforming vacant Circuit City store in Eastwood into thrift store." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Gray, Jeremy (July 14, 2011) "The Lovelady Center plans to move shelter and recovery facility to former Carraway Methodist Medical Center." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
==External link== | ==External link== | ||
Revision as of 18:23, 14 July 2011
The Lovelady Center is a 9- to 12-month faith-based residential treatment and recovery center for women and children located at 7916 2nd Avenue South in the former East End Memorial Hospital in East Lake.
The center was founded by Brenda Spahn in 1997 as Freedom Rain Ministries, operating out of her home and ministering to women leaving the Julia Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka. She later renamed the center for her father, James Lovelady. Currently the center houses about 280 women and 70 of their children.
During the first five weeks of the program, adult participants complete five intensive courses in the theology of the Cross, forming healthy relationships, mind renewal, job readiness and money management, and Biblical sexuality. Over the next ten months, women continue classes in practical education and artistic expression and work with counselors to find job placement and housing. Children of residents also receive teaching and enrichment. When the center moved to the old hospital, Spahn originally did not allow children, but eventually turned an area into a "kid zone" for the parents and children. The 5,000-square-foot former emergency room area has been licensed as a day care center.
In 2009, Lovelady Center and Freedom Rain, the financial arm of the center, parted ways due to disagreements over electronic bingo. The Lovelady Thrift Store was opened in a former Circuit City in Eastwood to benefit the center in 2010.
In 2011 the Lovelady Center announced plans to purchase the former Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Norwood, which it will rename the MetroPlex. The center will have the ability to house as many as 1,200 clients in the former hospital. Additional space will be used for medical, dental and eye clinics, counseling and educational facilities, and various health care, non-profit and retail tenants. A large church is also planning to open a campus at the MetroPlex, along with a hotel and banquet facilities and satellite campuses for two area universities.
References
- Park, Dave (February 10, 2008) "Drugs divide mothers from children, but Lovelady Center restores relationships." Birmingham News
- Tomberlin, Michael (January 7, 2010) "Lovelady Center charity, ministry transforming vacant Circuit City store in Eastwood into thrift store." Birmingham News
- Gray, Jeremy (July 14, 2011) "The Lovelady Center plans to move shelter and recovery facility to former Carraway Methodist Medical Center." Birmingham News
External link
- Lovelady Center website