Saying the ministry is moving into a new season, the Executive Director of Straight Street Thursday announced a re-branding of the organization.
The new name for the organization is Straight Street - which drops the word 'revolution' from its original name. Press information says the new brand "aims to showcase their true mission of sharing the love of Christ and leaving a mark on the lives of those served while inspiring others to leave their marks on the world."
According to Executive Director Beau Robson, part of the reason for the rebranding is the newest part of the ministry, a long-term residential home for victims of sex trafficking that will open in the future in the South Hall area.
"It's like a new season for us, since this is something we haven't done before," Robson said at a Thursday morning ribbon-cutting ceremony. "As we moved into this season, it's almost like a relaunch of the ministry as a whole."
The residential facility, to be located on Weaver Road, falls under Straight Street's Beautiful Feet program. The facility was approved for construction at a January 26 meeting of the Hall County Commission. Robson said the process of opening the facility is moving slowly but steadily right now.
"We're trying to give them [the victims] a place to go after they leave short-term homes, so they don't re-enter the industry," Robson said. "Right now, we're really working on getting the funds together - we have a lot of fundraising to go - because we want to do it right."
In addition, Robson said Straight Street is working to hire staff positions for the new home, as well as doing some basic work on the property.
Even with a new logo, a new website and a new brand, Straight Street will continue to operate the other ministries under its umbrella - Backpack Love and Straight Street Impact.
"Backpack Love is a ministry that delivers food to children who are going hungry on the weekend. We use the school system [Gainesville, Hall County, north Gwinnett], we talk to counselors and they identify students that need food," Robson said.
Typically, they will pack anywhere from 450 to 600 backpacks per week and deliver those to the schools to be distributed to children to take home for the weekend.
"Straight Street Impact is a home repairs ministry that focuses on helping disabled people, single moms, elderly people," said Robson.
To find out more about Straight Street, follow this link to the ministry's new website.
