Clayton County delays Calvary Refuge funding, approves limited Alzheimer’s center aid

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved an interim payment for the Alzheimer’s Services Center and postponed a larger emergency request from Calvary Refuge Center, responding to pleas from both organizations and calls from commissioners for more financial transparency.

Commissioners voted to provide $60,000 — one quarter of the $200,000 originally requested — to the Alzheimer’s Services Center to sustain operations while the center works to rebuild clientele and pursue grant funding. The vote followed detailed remarks from Mike Brown, a board member of the Alzheimer’s center, who said the day program currently serves about 12–15 participants and operates three days per week with a fluctuating client base.

The Alzheimer’s center has been operating on a reduced schedule since the COVID-19 pandemic and managers told the board their current monthly operating cost is about $20,000. Brown said the center has been pursuing additional revenue and expects to work with a grant writer who will be paid from future grant awards rather than upfront. Commissioners said they preferred a shorter, targeted allotment and asked staff to review quarterly numbers before considering further aid.

Calvary Refuge Center, an emergency shelter in Forest Park that leaders said served more than 1,000 people last year and 724 so far this year, requested a $200,000 emergency appropriation to stay open through upcoming months. Several residents, school board members and shelter representatives described the shelter as the county’s primary family shelter and asked for immediate help. Alan Wooten, representing Calvary Refuge, told commissioners the organization has served 235 men, 297 women and 192 children so far this year and was facing shortfalls after missed grants and an unexpected leadership death.

Rather than grant the full request, the board voted to table budget amendment 2-8 and requested that Calvary deliver up-to-date expenditure reports to the county chief financial officer in advance of a final vote. Commissioner Damon Davis moved to table and require submission of the shelter’s financials; the motion passed. County staff said the Calvary board will be asked to meet with county finance staff quickly so the commission can consider funding at its Sept. 16 meeting.

Commissioners and other speakers repeatedly urged coordination among municipalities, the school system and county staff to pool resources for shelters. School board member Sabrina Hill cited McKinney-Vento federal protections in urging support, saying keeping families together at Calvary helps stabilize students’ education.

The board separately rejected an unrelated $12,020 donation agreement for Clayton County Fire that had been proposed in partnership with a nonprofit; commissioners voted to deny the resolution after questions about the donor’s funding source and program alignment.

The actions leave the Alzheimer’s center with a short-term cash infusion but require additional reporting before any larger county commitment to Calvary Refuge. County staff said CDBG and other local assistance funding cycles may permit earlier disbursements once memoranda of understanding are completed and submitted.

Speakers at the meeting emphasized the urgency for both seniors and unhoused residents while commissioners stressed fiscal prudence and documentation before larger appropriations are approved.