Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure, my name is Amanda Hale and we’ve lived in the Rome area for twelve years, since 2009. My husband is David Hale, he works with Harbin Clinic. We’ve got three daughters and we love the city of Rome.
How did you first hear about The Davies Shelters?
Amanda: I think we had heard about it [when we moved here in 2009,] but it took a couple of years to settle in and get to know Rome. Rome, in general, has so many non-profit organizations that we got to know most of them through the church [where our] kids went to preschool. And then we started actually attending that church and they told us about all the things [happening in Rome.]
One of the first things we did [with you all] was visit [The Men’s House] with a group of Sunday school kids. We helped make decorations for the Christmas tree and bring the kids in there so they could see [the shelter]. Some of the adults, also haven’t seen it before, we all got to see what the actual shelter [looks like.] That was one of the first times that I’d seen [the shelter] directly.
We got to know Devon, who later became the Executive Director. We just love the work that she does and have a lot of confidence in her. I’m really inspired by her getting [The Women’s House] started actually sat in on a couple of those board meetings before it actually happened.
What was a formative experience that helped you understand more fully the need for programs like ours in Rome, GA?
Amanda: I don’t think I really understood the fullness of the need [for a program like The Davies Shelters] until I sat in a few of the early board meetings for The Women’s House. It had never occurred to be before that “The Shelter” is only a men’s shelter. While Salvation Army has a couple beds and there are other organizations that support batteredwomen, children’s services almost always remove children from the family. There wasn’t a place for women and children to stay together and have shelter and support.
It blew my mind that [need] hadn’t occurred to me before, and how desperately important it must be. As a mom with kids, I can’t imagine, having life situations because there’s a million different reasons you could be in that situation and, not get to stay with my kids because there’s not somewhere where all of us can sleep together.
Out of our three guiding principles; sacred worth, restorative journey, and welcome community; which stands out to you the most?
Amanda: I like those a lot. The one that pops out the most to me is that “restoration is a journey.” I think it’s the part that resonates with me on a personal level, but also makes this program and organization more realistic. It’s not like someone can just turn a switch and suddenly have a shelter. It’s a process. It’s not like somebody can come here, spend a couple of nights and then they’re fine and they can just move on and it’s no big deal. It’s multiple steps to take into consideration long-term [self-sufficiency] as opposed to a short-term relief of [their] situation.
What do you wish other people knew about The Davies Shelters and its programs?
Amanda: I wish more people understood that [The Davies Shelters] is more than just a handout. It has programs to help rebuild [the guests’] way of supporting themselves and their family. Both in [The Men’s House] and [The Women’s House], it’s meant to help encourage self-sufficiency, not simply put a roof over your head and food in your stomach. And I think a lot of people assume everybody here is here because of some terrible life choices and that’s not always the caseThose are the things that I have learned gradually over many years, but that kind of, it’s why I love these shelters because it’s a [holistic] program.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
Amanda: I’m on the Rome Symphony Board…and I love it because I grew up in the orchestra. I have recently picked the viola back up. I’ve realized I practice a lot more now because I want to, and I previously had many bad habits that I need to break, but I do it for me and I do it for the kids cause they are in music lessons as well. I feel like it’s one of the arts that it’s essential to your wellbeing and well-roundedness so we love that.
We want to be able to, to keep that in our family and our community. And, you know if the infrastructure can be built that [the guests in your shelters] have the luxury to experience and be exposed to things like arts and music, so many people just don’t even have the opportunity to ever pick up an instrument or anything like that.