How Paragould Agape House was started and what we do
In 2004, Sunny Curtis had a vision to help young women enjoy the freedom and deliverance from addiction she had experienced. Agape House opened its doors in April of 2005. To date, more than 100 women have successfully completed the program.
This program benefits all of us. 90% of crime in Greene County is drug related and 75% of Foster Care stems from parents with addiction problems. It's a problem that is affecting almost every family in our area. Agape House offers a real solution in our transitional home for women. The program is four months in length - and the women live at the Agape House free-of-charge. As they progress through the program, they begin to work and save for the future.
The Agape House offers an opportunity to relearn life skills lost during years in addiction. We have Bible studies, support groups, counseling, job training, parenting classes, budgeting, Breaking the Cycle classes, etc. to offer the women who reside with us.
The current house is big enough for 8 women but we somehow manage to always have 10. We still have a long waiting list and continually have to turn women away. The good news is that we are purchasing a home in Oak Grove. We will almost triple our current square footage and have more than one bathroom for 11 people! We can also expand in this house and welcome more women into the program.
When we assist women, we also help change their children's lives. What chance do these children have if their Mothers continue in the downward cycle drugs cause? The sobering answer is: The cycle will continue and another generation will be lost.
For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to donate before, please consider a one-time gift or even becoming a regular monthly partner. For a gift of $1000 or more, your name or your business' name will be on a plaque showcased in the house plus recognized in a full page ad in the Paragould Daily Press (that has been donated). For a gift of $100 to $999, we will place your name on a brick for the sidewalk on the property we are purchasing.