Covenant Counseling Fills Community Need

Tucked away in a renovated split level house just off U.S. Highway 78 in Snellville stands Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center, a faith-based, nonprofit center that offers counseling services to individuals, couples and families.

Through its Samaritan Fund, the center reaches out to those with a variety of personal challenges. Here, women who have been victims of domestic violence receive counseling that they could not otherwise afford. An area bank executive even sought help here, as he worked through the end of his marriage of 22 years. There was also a place for a 7-year-old gifted student from Lilburn, who attended the social skills camp last summer.

"We scan the community to determine the needs that aren’t being met," said Sharai Bradshaw, an associate staff therapist at Covenant Counseling who developed GROWTH, a therapeutic program tailored for children and youth ages 7 - 18. 

The GROWTH program provides spring break and summer social skills camps.  Conflict management, decision making, communication skills and coping techniques are practiced "in a fun, creative, hands-on way," Bradshaw said.

The camp is especially geared for “children with behavior problems in the classroom who struggle with making friends,” Bradshaw said. "Gifted children who have trouble connecting with other children, as well as students with ADHD would greatly benefit from the camp."

The nonprofit is currently enrolling youth in the spring break day camp, which runs April 4-8 at in Snellville. The cost is $100 per child. 

In addition to the GROWTH program, the center offers pastoral counseling for individuals, couples, families and children, according to Jaye Peabody, the executive director. To help clients with costs, the center has a sliding scale for fees.

A faith-based center with ties to several churches in the community, Covenant Counseling also provides consultation for pastors, church staff, health care organizations and other community agencies, Peabody said. Workshops and a speaker’s bureau are available to provide programs for churches, civic organizations and schools, she added.

Covenant Counseling has also taken on a new role in the community. According to Claire Horner, a nationally certified and state licensed professional counselor, the center, in partnership with the Snellville Police Department and , coordinates and trains advocates to work with rape victims in the community. Horner noted that donations are being accepted for this program and the center as a whole.

Tax deductible donations may be sent to Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center, 2219 Scenic Drive, Snellville, GA 30078. For more information, call (770) 985-0837.