Two major changes have taken place recently at A Friend’s House, both in facilities and in management.

  Established two decades ago to help Henry County children in crisis, the organization last week unveiled a new suite in its existing building for the purpose of helping older teenagers in its care transition to adulthood.   According to executive director Sandra Gravely, who assumed that role in mid-April, it will allow AFH to facilitate “supervised practice living” for young people aged 17-21 and help them be prepared to live on their own.

  About 600 square feet of existing office space was renovated for this purpose. While some residents who reach the age normally associated with adulthood can qualify for a state-run independent living program, which AFH is not licensed to provide, Gravely noted that her organization still has an obligation to provide them with tools to get them ready for independent life.

  These young people will still be included in the group population at the house and group activities, while having a dedicated area for learning important to life skills, from cooking and household chores to work-based learning to increase job readiness. Some already have outside jobs and will have the opportunity to better themselves in areas like money management, budgeting and time management.

  “Some of them are getting a ride every day, provided by us, to a job in Henry County. In a year they might be living in Atlanta and riding MARTA,” said Gravely. “That’s a big adjustment they need to be ready for.”

  Statistics show that young people who age out of foster care without a transition plan have a higher likelihood of being homeless or incarcerated. Gravely said AFH has occasionally gotten phone calls from former residents who need help out in the world and reach out to their former home because it’s the last place they know and trust.

  Gravely has seen it all where A Friend’s House is concerned. She started working there the same day the facility received its first two children – October 20, 1998.

  She started there as a group leader after working as a behavioral specialist in the public schools in Fayette and Spalding counties. She was a group leader coordinator for about 10 years and then was human resources manager. Along the way she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public administration.

  She was named executive director April 19 and leads more than 30 employees, 13 or whom are full-time.

  A Friend’s House now has 17 young people in residence ages 13-18. Two who have been living there just graduated from high school. Gravely pointed out that AFH can service children from birth to 21 years of age, but it is customary for DFACS to place small children with families.

  Led by an executive board, AFH gets a stipend from DFACS for each child and also some local government funding, but also relies heavily on private donors and fundraising. Contributions are tax-deductible.