Genesis Joy House receives $25,000 grant to continue helping homeless female veterans

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Genesis Joy House teamed up with the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Warner Robins chapter to be awarded a $25,000 grant to continue helping homeless female veterans in the area.

According to DAR Regent Cynthia Davis, Genesis Joy House is the only facility that helps female veterans in the area, and the DAR is hoping this money will help extend the shelter.

Davis said the organization has been helping the shelter for three years. Receiving the grant was a journey, Davis said they applied for two years but were denied both times, but finally succeeded their goal.

The grant is called the Vivian Luther Schafer fund for Indigent and Homeless Women, which is created specifically for homeless female veterans.

Many homeless shelters in America apply for this grant and it is very competitive. According to Davis, last year the shelter had a ribbon cutting for a property and she believes that the growth made a difference in the organization receiving the award.

Founder and CEO of Genesis Joy House Margaret Queen-Flowers is planning to use the money to hire an Education Director for female veterans to receive training and classes.

“Being homeless is one thing, but you have to be able to provide a way to get out of the homelessness, so sometimes that takes some education to get a decent job where they can be supported by that job. So, I feel like if it gets these ladies off the street, If it gets these ladies some education where they can further their lives then that will make a tremendous impact on our community and whatever community they end up in,” said Davis.

Genesis Joy House also plans to buy a vehicle to transport veterans with their award. According to Davis, the application process took about a year to approve and the shelter had to receive their money elsewhere to be able to help transport veterans as quickly as possible.

The chapter was brought to Warner Robins 40 years ago and since then has made an impact in the community and continues serving working women. The organization played a role in helping the shelter to continue helping local female veterans.

The Warner Robins Chapter of the DAR is named after a female patriot named Sukey Hart, who would help her mother capture British soldiers during the American Revolution.

“We want to serve our community and honor our veterans as much as we can to help other people in any way possible,” said Davis.

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