Marigold Edwards is the founder and CEO of the JC Freedom House in Douglasville, Georgia. The organization primarily serves as a shelter for women in crisis, but also offers other programs.
This is a cause near and dear to Edwards’ heart; she herself was in need of sanctuary from domestic violence, and first found her way to the shelter when it was in need of money to keep the doors open. Through a gift from her mother, she was able to purchase the building and restart it as the JC Freedom House.
“And that's why I'm doing it. I'm doing it from a place of experience. [God] wanted me to do this work from a place of experience. Because I have a level of empathy that some people don't have, because they haven't walked that road.
“And so it's helpful. I'm not saying other people don't have empathy, but I really get it when the women are going through whatever they're going through.”
Edwards says that the JC Freedom House in particular fills a specific niche.
“It's a shelter for single women in crisis without dependent children. They're almost like a forgotten group. So when I was a single woman without dependent children with me, it literally was the only shelter I found in Douglas County doing that. Everything else you had to have children, you had to have something going on, it was the only place that did that.”
This focus on empathy regardless of situation has led to a greater impact. Outside of the shelter itself, the JC Freedom House continues to assist its community wherever it can.
“We provide resources to anyone in the community and beyond. In addition to our flagship program, the crisis center, we also provide outreach services to men, women, and children, including hotel stays, providing needed items, and bespoke help. Our other programs include advocacy, community education, crisis line, and our health & wellness program. In addition to this, we are a place where people can bring their clothing donations and they know that they're going to go to someone in need. We've been able to provide food and needed items. I believe we've been able to fill a really good gap. We serve over 700 individuals a year, and that's quite a feat. So yeah, I believe we're making a good impact.”
“You know a lot of the time, it is a bit of a thankless task, because people are in desperate straits and they just want help. And, you know, they're not so much into the thank you, please, and thank you. They just need help, and we're just glad to be able to do that.”
The Zachos Team has been proud to help this cause from the very beginning. Though many of our real estate clients remain as professional relationships, we see our connections as opportunities to forge deeper bonds with those around us. In this case, we’ve been happy to assist the community at large in such a tangible way.
“From the very inception, when I was fleeing domestic violence, it was The Zachos Team, Paul in particular, that helped me even sell my house safely.“
“And then when we needed to acquire the shelter building, it was The Zachos Team that helped us through the process of how do you do a lease purchase agreement… With things like, you know, make sure that we had the proper title.”
Beyond the initial acquisition, we’ve been proud to be a consistent force within the organization to help it remain operational.
“Certainly through Covid, people weren't giving in the way that they normally did. We couldn't hold events. The Zachos Team was one of those steady organizations that just kept on giving and helped keep our doors open. In addition to that, they volunteer personally, so Dee Dee gave us clothing donations. Paul has every year… been the host of our annual fundraising event.”
“And this year, not only is he hosting, but he’s agreed to also do a comedy skit!”
On Monday, November 11th 2024, this fundraising event is coming up. Speakers, singers, and of course a comedian will be performing at the event in hopes of raising funds for this great cause. It will take place at Crossroads Church of Douglasville at 6:30p.m. More information is attached below, and we hope that anyone who is available will be able to attend this wonderful event.
And although she’s settled into her role, Edwards didn’t always expect to be in such a position.
“Coming from a CPA background, I didn’t have a clue that I was going to be doing it,” she laughs. “But I’m grateful that I get to help people. That’s a beautiful thing.”
Written by Paul Zachos and Marigold Edwards
