The Citizens of Georgia Power and River of Life are completing a renovation of the Life Enrichment Center’s Creative Expressions Building. The Life Enrichment Center (LEC) is a private nonprofit program for adults with intellectual disabilities living in and around the Baldwin County area.
“Each year we do one legacy project that allows a single project to receive financial support of up to $10,000 from the Georgia Power Foundation,” said Tiffany Vanstone, president of the Citizens of Georgia Power. “The goal is to establish a lasting legacy of positive change through volunteering efforts that are consistent with Georgia Power’s community impact values, ultimately benefiting both present and future generations. This year we discussed the renovation of the Creative Expressions Building and felt it aligned with our mission.”
Renovations for the project began the week of June 16 and The Citizens of Georgia Power completed its contribution June 21. Twenty volunteers renovated the flooring inside the building and painted the inside walls.
“The space will be used to increase participation for various Life Enrichment Center activities,” said Vanstone. “We wanted to make it more aesthetically pleasing and therapeutic for the individuals who are a part of the center.”
In 2020, The Citizens of Georgia Power partnered with the organization to complete a Legacy Project to finish the stage at the center’s Urban Arts Village, located behind New City Church at the Mill. According to Vanstone, The Citizens of Georgia Power plans to continue doing more projects with the LEC in the future and plan to work with the individuals in the fall for a program.
“We are very grateful for the excellent work completed during the Georgia Power Legacy Project. The volunteers gave our building a muchneeded update, making it a better clinical space for our music therapy program and a welcome, open-learning environment for our educational programs,” said LEC Executive Director Barbara Coleman.
River of Life is a community outreach program that started at First Methodist Church in Milledgeville. It serves the community through various projects and allows middle school and high school students to leave a lasting impact on Baldwin County.
“Our contribution to finish the renovation is to paint the outside of the Creative Expressions Building with neutral tones to match the LEC’s main building. Years ago, we painted the Creative Expressions Building. I was in youth and participated in the painting so it's a full-circle moment,” said Courtney Hitchcock, River of Life site coordinator and LEC art director.
Youth from across the state will spend the night to complete projects at 20 sites over the course of three days. The LEC is one of these selected sites and about 10 volunteers will be present to work over all three days to paint the exterior.
“Six to eight volunteers will be youth that will actively participate and usually two to three adults will supervise and guide the project,” said Hitchcock. “By completing projects like this, these students gain a servant’s heart, a heart that wants to make a lasting impact and help its community. They also learn active skills that can be applied to future jobs and opportunities.”
The exterior painting will be completed from July 10-12.
“We are excited to host the River of Life ministry and look forward to seeing the positive impact these children have as they enhance our building's exterior,” said Coleman. “We are truly thankful for all the volunteers who made this significant improvement to our building possible.”