DeKalb County's only family emergency shelter seeks Christmas miracle after hurricane damage

DECATUR, Ga. - The only family emergency shelter in DeKalb County is hoping for a Christmas miracle. Hagar's House in Decatur suffered extensive damage following Hurricane Helene back in September and still isn't able to re-open.

As Helene dumped several inches of rain on the area in just a few hours, the roof of Hagar's House caved in, soaking the floor of the community room.

"It saturated the floors, the subfloor's damaged, it has to be repaired. The walls have to be repaired," Marlene White, Executive Director of Decatur Cooperative Ministry, said.

Water from a nearby storm drain flowed towards the low-lying facility, soon flowing through the doors and adding to the damage.

The shelter, run by Decatur Cooperative Ministry, can house five families, but it's been closed for the last three months until repairs can be made.

"While we serve lots of families, our primary clients are little people," White said, "and you want to have the children in a safe environment."

White said insurance covered $30,000 worth of damage, but she estimates it will cost upwards of $150,000 to get the facility back up and running.

"It's not just about getting them rehoused. It's about helping them to rebuild, it's about helping them find the resources and to be encouraged," White explained. "Every day that we're closed is a sad day to me."

But, she said they are still working to support families in the meantime, like collecting donated toys and toiletries for families to pick up before Christmas.

"We can't have families here, but there are things we can do," White said. "And we will do what we can do."

Still, she wishes they could do so much more for families in need, especially around this time of the year.

"I know that there are people at the warming center and I know that there are people who need what we have to offer," White explained.

The non-profit is accepting donations to help rebuild Hagar's House. They can be made here.