Northern Star, a local non-profit organization serving 13 counties in Georgia since 2016, is expanding its operations to include a new campus off of Dawsonville Highway in Dahlonega. The new facility, which broke ground recently, will provide housing and community resources for youth in foster care, as well as other at-risk youth ages 18-21.
The types of children and young adults who benefit from Northern Star’s efforts include those who are homeless, have a parent or parents who are incarcerated, or come from a family background that includes drug use, poverty, or mental health challenges.
Due to uncertainties caused by the pandemic in 2020, Northern Star had to relinquish the lease on its rented four-house campus located on Carpenter Lane known as “The Bricks.” Since that time, the non-profit had been searching for a suitable piece of property on which to build a permanent campus.
After three years of patient searching, the 501(c)(3) organization reached a breakthrough in March of this year, when it discovered it could use a different zoning classification that opened up more possible sites to potential development. Within a week, an offer was accepted on the approximately 3-acre property that Northern Star will now call home.
The property, located just outside of town, includes a pre-existing structure that the organization plans to renovate and use as the multi-purpose building for the campus.
“This will be like the community center where kids can do laundry, hang out, and go through some resources in here. There’s some meeting space anytime [the Division of Family and Children’s Services] requires it for any kind of reunification. And there will be offices where all of the fun HR will be,” said the Chair of Northern Star’s Board of Directors, Michelle Stevens.
She also indicated that Northern Star intends to build at least four tiny homes on the property to serve as living quarters for “Independent Phase”-level participants. The program currently supports five children and one young adult, but the planned facilities at the new location will allow Northern Star to expand those services to as many as 14 individuals under the age of 26.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Participants in the Northern Star program live on campus while learning the skills necessary to transition to self-sufficient living within the community. Northern Star also provides participants with access to numerous critical support personnel, such as coaches, counselors, tutors, mentors and Christian leaders.
Northern Star also assists participants in obtaining important skills and services, such as obtaining their driver’s licenses, learning to prepare meals, interviewing for jobs and preparing a personal budget.
Northern Star relies heavily on local volunteers and donors to help them change lives for the better. In order to fully develop the land they have purchased to meet the needs of children in the area, the organization is currently accepting donations of building supplies such as lumber, roofing material, siding, electrical, plumbing supplies, drywall and insulation. The group has a Home Depot wish list for those interested in contributing raw materials.
In addition, Northern Star is also seeking to enlist skilled labor volunteers in the areas of grading, septic installation, framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing, drywall and painting.
There is even some demolition work required on the property, for volunteers with experience in that particular area.
“We definitely need volunteers to help clear the land. There’s chicken houses [on the property] that need to be demolished,” Stevens elaborated.
In addition to building materials and volunteer work, the organization is also accepting financial assistance as well. All financial and in-kind contributions to Northern Star are tax deductible.
Anyone interested in donating money, materials or labor can visit www.northernstar.org/donate or contact Northern Star Executive Director and Founder Mandy Williams. She can be reached by phone at 706-364-9319 or via e-mail at northernstarga28@gmail.com.
THE PERFECT FIT
Northern Star representatives are also eager to invite the community to its second annual Garden Party fundraiser on Sunday, May 21 at Bull Mountain Lodge in Dahlonega. The theme for this year’s event will be “The Perfect Fit,” and attendees will enjoy a barbeque dinner as they learn more about Northern Star’s mission and ways that they can be a part of its success. Tickets are $35 per person, and may be purchased at www.eventcreate.com/e/northernstargardenparty.
Meanwhile, Northern Star’s public office will remain at its current location, 24 Alicia Lane Suite 3, near the Dahlonega Post Office. Tickets for the Garden Party may also be purchased in person there.
“That’s a great central location,” Stevens said of the main office. “We have our monthly board meetings there and we have our fundraising meetings there, as well.”