Local Outreach
Serving Our Neighbors: Local Outreach
Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be a servant.” At Big Canoe Chapel, we take this call seriously. We are committed to renewing our mission commitment locally, serving as the hands and feet of Christ to those who are hurting, lost, or in need right here in Pickens and Dawson Counties.
The mission of the Big Canoe Chapel Benevolence Committee is to glorify Christ by supporting charitable and faith based organizations and individuals in need in Pickens and Dawson counties. As Paul wrote in Galatians 6:10, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people especially those who belong to the family of believers.”
The Big Canoe Chapel Benevolence Committee identifies, evaluates and selects on behalf of the membership, worthy Christian non-profit organizations for the Chapel’s support. It is responsible for visiting, reviewing and evaluating all organizations under consideration for quarterly support. The committee manages the annual benevolence budget and approves the disbursement of all benevolence funds.
Several local organizations are invited to participate in our Mission Moments program, speaking in Chapel worship services to describe their work in the community. It’s an opportunity to share their compelling stories and meet Chapel members one on one at Stand Around time.
Beyond financial support, the committee seeks opportunities to involve Chapel members and our greater community in hands-on projects.
Our drives have been a huge success! Thanks to the tremendous response from Chapel members and the greater Big Canoe community, we continue to host our “Restock the Shelves Drives” to collect much-needed basic supplies for our agencies. Our drives are usually held in the summer, with special drives held as needed. Watch for upcoming announcements regarding dates, featured non-profit agencies and items
requested! We regularly promote awareness of the needs in our greater community via newspaper articles, social media posts, and Chapel announcements.
Big Canoe Chapel Benevolence Committee’s focus on community support agencies:
- Child abuse/neglect: ACES, Appalachian Children’s Center, Hope House, No One Alone (NOA)
- Children and youth programs providing safe environments for learning and building faith: Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia (BGCNG) and Young Life
- Family counseling, intervention programs and educational assistance: Joy House, North Georgia Family Partners (NGFP) and The Pregnancy Center
- Healthcare for the medically underserved and uninsured: Good Shepherd Clinic and Good Samaritan Health & Wellness
- Addiction treatment and restoration programs: Ruth House and Timothy House
- Assessment and emergency assistance for struggling families: Cheryl’s Place and St. Vincent de Paul Pickens/Dawson Counties
- Food insecurity and financial assistance: CARES and The Place of Dawson County (Ric-Rack)
- Building safe, decent housing for those in need: Habitat for Humanity
ACES
Provides temporary and long-term residential placement and care for youth victims of abuse or neglect, ages 12-18, both boys and girls.
Needs: Mentors, tutors, fundraising assistance, activity hosts; other opportunities on their website: www.acesyouthhome.org.
Appalachian Children’s Center
Advocates for the safety of children, counseling and reducing trauma for child abuse victims and families; 75 new cases and 147 continuing cases from prior years.
Needs: Snacks, blankets, journals and basic supplies supplied through the Benevolence Committee’s Restock the Shelves Drive 5/1-5/8/2026.
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia
Provides a safe place after school and in summer programs where children can find learning, recreation and companionship; often being the only source of meals other than at school. Served over 100 children and youth in 2021.
Needs: Mentors; other opportunities on their website: www.bgcng,org.
CARES (Community Assistance Resources & Emergency Services)
Provides food to about 250 households each week, emergency financial assistance, and job search/employment counseling to Pickens County residents. Served over 21,000 people in 2020.
Needs: Volunteers for food pantry; other opportunities on their website: www.caresforpickens.com. and general volunteers.
Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County: Provides quality health care for those who have none; served 319 individuals with 3,989 visits in 2021.
Needs: See volunteer opportunities at their website: www.goodshepherddawsonco.org.
Habitat for Humanity/Pickens Co.: Working to provide simple, decent, affordable housing to God’s people in need, using volunteers from churches and communities.
Needs: Currently have about 80 volunteers at Habitat in Pickens Co.; will welcome more after pandemic ends and building begins again! Website: www.habitatpickensga.org/.
Hope House: Provides 24/7 care for children who have been removed from their families, providing a positive environment for them to thrive and remain in their community.
Needs: Volunteers, food items and linens.
Joy House: Provides Christ-centered restorative care for struggling teens, families and individuals; serving clients through the Counseling Center. Served 17 families/256 individuals in 2020.
Needs: 5-10 volunteers at any time including meal delivery and assistance with tutors in the school; other opportunities on their website: www.thejoyhouse.org.
NOA (No One Alone): Provides safe-haven and support services for victims of family violence. Through educational programs, works to foster attitudes in the community that violence is not acceptable. In 2021 provided emergency shelter and support services to 1,697 victims and advocates responded to 3,289 crisis calls. All services are free and confidential.
Needs: Volunteers to help at Southern Finds Thrift Store in Dahlonega; other opportunities on their website: www.noonealone.org.
North Georgia Family Partners: Helping prevent child abuse and neglect in all its forms through support and education; served 78 clients in 2020.
Needs: Volunteer opportunities are on their website: www.NGFPartners.org.
The Pregnancy Center: Provides Christian-based counseling, pregnancy testing, abortion alternatives and educational outreach Needs: Volunteers to work in The Angel Boutique shop on site; currently, others from Big Canoe make blankets, host baby showers, and volunteer for special projects; other opportunities on their website: www.babyontheway.org.
The Place of Dawson County (Formerly Ric-Rack): Supporting Dawson Co. residents with essential needs and encouraging self-sufficiency, The Place offers a food pantry, financial assistance, parenting classes, youth and senior outreach programs, and workplace and education development. In 2020, served 2,414 families, 5,978 individuals, 1,311 seniors and 1,319 children, and distributed 230,000 lbs. of food.
Needs: More volunteers for food pantry, thrift store and client office; other opportunities on their website: www.theplacega.org.
Ruth House: Christian-based one-year residential regeneration program for women struggling with alcohol and/or drug addiction, to help reunite them with their families through the healing power of Jesus Christ. Served 16 families in 2021; lower than normal due to Covid.
Needs: Opportunities on their website: www.ruthhouseministries.org.
St. Vincent de Paul/Dawson and Pickens: Helping struggling families meet short-term, immediate needs of basic living; in 2020, served 290 people in Pickens Co. and 560 in Dawson Co.
Needs: General volunteers. Phone: (706) 265-2106 (Dawson) (706) 692-7604 (Pickens)
Young Life
Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.
Needs: Caring adults wanting to serve as Young Life leaders; ongoing need for individuals who would like to commit to serving on a prayer team for the district; website: www.pickenscounty.younglife.org.
Spotlight Organization
Ruth House
Ruth House Ministries is a Christ-centered, long term, residential recovery program for women addicted to or abusing drugs or alcohol. Our program provides a platform for the regeneration of substance abusers and their families who meet the entrance criteria. Organized in 2008 to combat the ravages of drugs and alcohol in North Georgia.
