The History

The Honorable Judge Brenda S. Weaver encourages the Appalachian Children’s Center (ACC) in Ellijay to become more aggressive in their efforts to educate local communities about the need for a children’s shelter for abused and neglected children here in North Georgia.

Jan Hackett, Fannin County Chamber President, invites members of Community Social Services Organizations (CCO), including ACC, to present to the Leadership Fannin class of 2004.

Organizational development, awareness and fundraising campaigns are initiated. Funds are raised and volunteers are doing all they can to support the cause…the community is becoming engaged.

Vacant land is donated Open Arms of Blue Ridge, Inc. and the organization decides to sell the land and takes proceeds from the sale to purchases an existing home. This becomes “The Home”.

Required renovations are made to the home and Open Arms receives its license from the Department of Family & Children’s Services. $125,000 is now needed for the State contract.

$125,000 is raised and DFCS contracts with Open Arms of Blue Ridge, Inc. Doors open for girls age 10-18. Brenda Crawford, 30+ year veteran of DFCS, becomes interim Director.

5 Zaxby’s Restaurant locations, each under the same local ownership, agree to partner with The Open Arms Home for Children 4 times a year. This strategic partnership, the organizations first outside Fannin County, aimed to increase awareness (and open our Arms) to each of our local communities, including Jasper, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Blairsville and Hiawassee.

We will launch the Joan Allen Endowment Program in memory of an incredible woman who, along with her husband Neal, has given so generously to our cause. The endowment provides a $50,000 financial vehicle to ensure the long-term physical health of our Home. This is a significant milestone for the organization and one that will ensure our children have a roof over their heads and a well-maintained home for years to come.

A fire was set to our home by one of our residents and the home was a complete loss. An amazing number of individuals, both local and from across the entire state, worked together to provide the necessary resources to purchase a new home, furnish it and relicense the new home, all within 3 weeks. The home was lost to the fire the 3rd week in November and a new home, fully furnished and decorated for Christmas, welcomed our girls the day before Christmas Eve.

The support and timely assistance provided cannot be truly measured other than to say, we never missed a beat. A huge thank you to Neal Allen for providing the bridge loan for the new home while we awaited insurance assistance. Another huge thank you to Town and Country Furniture for providing the new furnishings for the new home. The presents under the tree were extraordinary due to the generosity of so many within the community and throughout the state and country.

Mike Rutan is hired as Executive Director.

We apply for and are granted the highly coveted $100,000 Impact Fannin 100 Grant. Grant funds enable us to order a new 11-passenger Ford Sprinter Van and earmark the remaining grant funds towards critical renovations within the home; including the addition of a 3rd bathroom, updating plumbing, patching the roof, upgrading bathroom showers, and renovating the detached shed to include an extended roof under which to park the new Sprinter Van.

William Mone added to Executive Board as Vice President and Ranna Sayre added to Executive Board as Treasurer. 

The new Ford Sprinter Van arrives from the Ford plant. Renovations to the home begin. We welcome two new members to the Board of Directors; Pearl Dilbeck, and Christie Decoufle.