"I walked into North Georgia Works homeless, sleeping in abandoned houses, and knowing I was about to go down that road again. I only had the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet. But I knew God wasn't going to leave me like that. After falling asleep waiting on my background check results to come back, Mark (COO) woke me up to let me know I had been accepted into the program. I thought to myself, this must be where my Dad (God) wants me to be. Little did I know the most significant helping hand I had needed for far too long was finally extended to me. So, I jumped right into the program and started my journey to full-time adulting. Over the course of 12 months at NGW, God equipped me with all the tools and opportunities to turn my life's mess into a success message. I thank God and North Georgia Works for the life I finally have."

“Looking back on my journey, I know that both my faith in God and North Georgia Works (NGW) have been instrumental in transforming my life. After emerging from prison and struggling with addiction, I faced enormous challenges, but my belief in God gave me the strength and hope to push forward. When I found out about NGW, I saw it as a beacon of hope. The program didn’t just offer me job training and practical skills; it provided a supportive community that truly understood my struggles and was dedicated to helping me rebuild my life. Today, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity NGW provided me. My success feels like a testament to both the grace of God and the transformative power of NGW. I see my journey as proof of how faith and dedicated support can lead to profound renewal and fulfillment.”

“Since I have started my time at North Georgia Works, I have learned about brotherhood, personal responsibility, and sharpened my leadership skills. Above all, my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ has grown tremendously. Anyone wondering if this program is the best place for them I would say you couldn’t make a better decision. I look forward to walking through all the doors this place has opened for me in my life.”

“My name is Joel Purnell. I’m a graduate at NGW. I entered the program the same day Zach Brannon graduated. As for how I got there, I was homeless for about half a year. You see, my parents are (to put it bluntly) abusive. My stepfather, especially. He once gaslit my whole family into thinking that I was faking a suicide attempt at one point. However, I won’t get into that. Instead, let’s talk about NGW. They did more than just save me from an abusive household. They gave me the one thing I truly needed in my life: a family. A true, loving family. A family that could be provided to me by God Himself. God knew what I was going through. Thus, He granted me a new family that truly loves and cares for me. I wish He gave it to me sooner. But that’s not the point. My point is that God cares. And that He has a plan. All you need to do is have faith in Him, and in NGW.”

“I had come to a point in life where I had lost all hope. I just believed that my life was nothing more than just existing. I was in complete darkness. Drugs and prison were all that I knew. No one wanted me around. My family turned their back on me, and I had no where to live. It seemed like I was drowning, that my whole life was falling apart. But GOD! In 2014 God made himself known to me! He started moving in my life and had put a calling upon my life. The only problem was I couldn’t seem to stay clean long enough for anything to take root. Well, God knew the solution. I got arrested and went back to prison for the 3rd time. During the time I was away, I spent time with the Lord and getting to know what was expected out of me through reading my Bible. I would learn and apply what I was learning. After 3 ½ years, I was able to make parole, but the plans that I made “fell through”, and a door was opened for me to go into North Georgia Works. I knew that it was God’s will, but that’s not the direction I would have chosen. I guess sometimes you just have “To go through it to get to it.” I went in with a chip on my shoulder, but God loved me anyways. He kept showing me grace day after day, week after week. He used NGW as the platform to rebuild my life, to FIND HOPE. To learn how to be a man... And North Georgia Works is now my family. I don’t know where I would be with out God, and the support of my brothers and support team. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of what God’s doing there. Now I’m 8 years clean. I have a beautiful wife, and 3 children. And I get a chance to work with the aftercare guys to help chart their course. So, when everything seemed to be falling apart, it actually fell into place. To God be the glory!”