One Georgia Bank Aids Tapestry Youth Ministries in Extending Its Services to Transitioning Young Single Mothers

Business Wire, Sept 23, 2008

One Georgia Bank Provides $160,000 Home Loan to Tapestry Youth Ministries to House Young Single Mothers Transitioning into a Self-Sufficient Adulthood

ATLANTA -- Atlanta-based One Georgia Bank recently teamed with Tapestry Youth Ministries in providing a $160,000 home loan that will allow the 10-year old Atlanta non-profit to provide transitional housing for the young women that it supports. As a result of receiving the loan, Tapestry Youth Ministries can now extend its services to include transitional housing for women between the ages of 18 to 23. The Fulton County Housing and Community Development Department also provided Tapestry Youth Ministries with a $100,000 home grant through its Community Development Block Grant program as a partial means to reduce some of its debt with One Georgia Bank.

"One Georgia Bank is a community bank and our primary focus is contributing to as well as fostering a supportive relationship within the community," said Chuck Lewis, President of One Georgia Bank. "Tapestry Youth Ministries is a well-respected organization here in Atlanta and we wanted to help them in their quest to better the lives of women and children here in Georgia."

This partnership marks a pivotal point for both One Georgia Bank and Tapestry Youth Ministries in that it serves as a catalyst for the non-profit and its range of services. The two are in discussion regarding an even more supportive partnership, with One Georgia Bank serving as its sponsor bank. This partnership also exemplifies the need for neighborhood businesses to partner with non-profits in order to maintain the health of our communities despite the cutbacks in government funding.

"Tapestry Youth Ministries is based on the principle of fostering long term relationships that help those in need," said Rutha Greene, Executive Director of Tapestry Youth Ministries. "The relationship that we are building with One Georgia Bank is a prime example of the positive effects that community leaders can have on their community."

The new house, located in unincorporated College Park, within Fulton County District 7, is currently under renovation. For nearly 10 years, Tapestry Youth Ministries has been an advocate for at risk young teenage mothers. The non-profit organization provides housing, counseling, educational services and daycare services for its residents, most commonly between the ages of 13 to 17 years old. The new home funded in part by One Georgia Bank and the Fulton County Community Development Block Grant, will allow women ages 18-23 to better adjust to the rigors of maintaining their own households.

About One Georgia Bank

Located at 1180 Peachtree Street, One Georgia Bank's objectives are to provide businesses and individuals with the highest standard of relationship banking in the market. The bank offers competitive state-of-the-art products and services designed to attract deposits and loans and provide an attractive rate of return to shareholders. The bank has recruited and is committed to a highly competent, motivated team dedicated to providing outstanding customer service. One Georgia Bank's assets are currently estimated at more than $215 million. For more information, visit http://www.onegeorgiabank.com.

About Tapestry Youth Ministries, Inc.

Tapestry Youth Ministries, Inc. was established to provide for young girls living in either unsafe or unstable environments. Many of these girls had babies, but refused to enter state custody for fear of being separated from their children before Tapestry. There were residential care facilities for young mothers aged 17 and older, but nothing was in place for mothers under the age of 17 years.

Originally part of Atlanta Urban Young Life, Tapestry Youth Ministries worked for many years to establish one of the first group homes in Georgia for teen mothers, between the ages of 13-17 and their babies who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. In 1999 Tapestry Youth Ministries opened its first home to provide a safe, structured, nurturing environment where they can experience quality home life and positive development. Presently, Tapestry Youth Ministries is the only licensed facility in metropolitan Atlanta that serves teen mothers and their babies. Tapestry's homes are in College Park and Fairburn, Georgia. For more information, visit www.tapestryyouth.org.