|
THE CRADDOCK CENTER
A PLACE FOR SERVICE, EDUCATION AND
ENRICHMENT
The Craddock
Center exists to serve the needs of people in Southern
Appalachia. To do so, it enlists professionals from across the
country and mobilizes talented people within the community to offer
programs to address basic physical needs, to encourage self-improvement
and career enhancement, and to nourish cultural enrichment.
 Although
created in 2001 by action of the Board of
Cherry Log Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), the Center operates with its own
Board of Directors, generates its own funds, and determines its own
programs. Named for Fred and Nettie Craddock, the Center strives
to insure that its programs are consonant with values inherent in the
Christian faith. Fifty percent of the Center Board comes from the
membership of Cherry Log Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Dr. Fred Craddock, pastor emeritus of Cherry Log Christian
Church, serves as the Center’s Interim Executive Director.
The Center is located near the campus of
Cherry Log Christian Church in Cherry Log, Georgia, ten miles north of
Ellijay and five miles south of Blue Ridge, in the Tri-state area of
Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The administrative office
for the Center is located in a house on property that was recently
purchased for the purpose of building a larger church facility.
The Center will use the facilities of the church and other venues
appropriate to the programs and constituencies.
Programs Sponsored by The Craddock Center
At present, the Center sponsors music and
stories for children in Head Start and Pre-K in Gilmer and Fannin
Counties, Appalachian Weekend (music, crafts, stories, history),
semi-annual Preaching Workshops for area ministers, and annual musical
or dramatic events. Future programs will include classes in
wellness, financial planning, and personal enrichment; directory
assistance for those unfamiliar with existing social agencies; a shelter
for the homeless; training in community organization; more offerings of
music and drama; tutoring and mentoring; and courses in second languages
co-operating with other programs.
The HeARTSongs children’s
music program began in the fall of 2002 under the direction of Pam
Lindsey, long-time Fannin County resident. Limited originally to
Head Start and Pre-K children in Fannin and Gilmer Counties, this
program has now expanded into five counties in three states and
currently serves a total of 800 children per week. Children who
are at or below poverty level in Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, and Union
Counties in Georgia, Cherokee County in North Carolina, and Polk County
in Tennessee are now reaping the benefits of this program on a weekly
basis.
Betsy Doty’s Storytelling Program
also benefits the Head Start and Pre K children in Fannin and Gilmer
Counties, as well as Dawson County, on a monthly basis. Ms. Doty’s
unique talent for delivering exciting, confidence-building,
participative stories to these groups of children promotes increased
self-esteem for this needy group of children.
Appalachian Weekend
provides an opportunity to learn about the Appalachian way of life.
Scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 27-28, this will be the fourth year
for this program. The weekend will include Appalachian arts and
crafts displays and sales by local artists; music and storytelling; a
book signing of Mountain Sisters by author Helen Lewis; a
workshop on shaped-note music and musical offerings by Asheville’s Laura
Boosinger; stories about “Religion in Appalachia” told by Dr. Craddock;
and Sunday morning worship at Cherry Log Christian Church.
Preaching Workshops
are held in Cherry Log each year on the first Monday in March and the
first Monday in October. The workshops attract ministers from
numerous churches in the region who wish to hone their skills in the
pulpit. Other workshops are conducted throughout Southern
Appalachia.
Musical dramatic events
are planned on a yearly basis. This past spring, well known
Atlanta actress Brenda Bynum presented a one-woman play entitled
“Notional Women” as a benefit performance for The Craddock Center.
The Center also co-sponsors “Winged for the Heart”, a program of song
and stories by Steve Darsey and Fred Craddock held at Brasstown Valley
Resort each January.
Gifts to the Craddock Center are tax
deductible. For more information:
Visit:
www.craddockcenter.org
or contact Dr. Fred Craddock, P.O. Box 549, Blue Ridge, GA 30513;
phone (706) 632-1772. |
