Local residents and community officials gathered Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of the Bryan County Service Center in Richmond Hill.
The building at 9611 Ford Ave. behind the Richmond Hill Public Library is now the home of Bryan County Family Connection (BCFC) and United Way of Bryan County (UWBC). Wendy Sims, BCFC director, described the building as a “one stop shop” that will provide office space for regional nonprofit service agencies that aren’t housed in Bryan County.
“It’ll always be the Bryan County Family Connection and United Way office, and we’ll have open office space for agencies like Helen’s Haven, Med Bank and we’ve been talking with rape crisis,” Sims said.
She added that UWBC Director Kristi Cox has been in contact with various United Way agencies that may also use the building.
Sims said she and Cox have been successful in reaching out to agencies though not all have confirmed. She said she hopes the 2,400-square-foot building will be a true benefit to county residents.
“That means people who couldn’t get into Savannah for services will be able to get those services now,” she said.
At the grand opening celebration, Sims jokingly told guests her dad said the “service center” sounds like somewhere to get an oil change.
“No, it’s not where you get your oil changed — it’s where you get your life changed,” she said.
The building will also provide a set location for meetings for BCFC. Additionally, United Way meetings and meetings for the Bryan County Children’s Fund, a program that provides Christmas gifts for less fortunate families in the community, can all take place in the building, Sims said.
“This has been my vision since I started with Family Connection,” Sims said. “This is a dream come true. It’s my vision coming to a reality, so it’s very exciting for me.”
Read more in the Aug. 8 edition of the News.