Two Celebrations at Gigi’s House
Collaboration provides a home and support center for sex trafficking victims
Atlanta – December 5, 2022 – Building industry nonprofit HomeAid Atlanta had two reasons to celebrate on November 18 in Clayton County. HomeAid supporters attended a ribbon cutting ceremony and groundbreaking at Gigi’s House, which cares for girls ages 13-19 who are victims of sex trafficking, providing a safe home in a faith-based, loving environment.
The event brought together guests from the home building industry, nonprofits, and several local governments including Clayton County, City of Lovejoy, Henry County, City of Jonesboro, and more. Georgia State Senator Brian Strickland remarked, “This is a bittersweet celebration. It’s sad that there is a need for a place like Gigi’s House, but we celebrate all of the many donors and volunteers who made today possible.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the completion of a ten-bedroom home to provide a safe place for victims of sex trafficking to rebuild their lives while participating in trauma-informed therapy, home-school, life skills classes, daily self-confidence building activities, and much more. The following companies donated their time, expertise, funds, or materials in support of the new home:
AB Cleaners
Atlanta Flooring Design Centers
Atlanta Glass & Mirror
B & D Concrete
Bibb County District Attorney’s Office
Builders FirstSource, Inc.
Brand Vaughan Lumber
Brent Scarbrough & Co.
Britt’s Home Furnishings, Inc.
City of Lovejoy
Clayton County District Attorney’s Office
Construction Resources
Coweta County District Attorney's Office
Darell Young Plumbing
Ernst Enterprises of GA, Inc.
Henry County District Attorney’s Office
Hunter Industries
Meridian Brick | General Shale
Right Touch Framing
Sanchez Landscaping
SEI Group
Sherwin-Williams
Shaquille O’Neal
Southern Siding Company
Specialized Drywall
Summit Fire & Security
T & M Heating & Air
The Erosion Company (TEC)
United Site Services
Whitley Engineering
Wilco Electric Company
Project donor Jon Vaughan of Brand Vaughan Lumber remarked, “Over the last two years, the building industry has been blessed beyond anything we’ve ever experienced. We have a unique responsibility to lean in to the community that gives so much to us. As our sales begin to slow and margins compress, it’s important that we continue to lean in, because the girls of Gigi’s House still need our help.”
The groundbreaking ceremony kicked off construction on a new support center. Led by national home builder Meritage Homes, the new building will be the third building on the Gigi’s House campus. It will provide space for home school classes, staff offices, life skills education, job training and more. Meritage Homes Vice President of Sales Sascha Vallat remarked, “We are proud to lay the foundation for these young women to rebuild their lives. We can’t expect a positive change to happen by avoiding the work of today. Responsibility is the price of success, and Meritage Homes is proud to be a part of this important, necessary project.”
In addition to the new ten-bedroom home and support center, HomeAid plans to partner with Gigi’s House in the future to provide additional capacity for girls escaping sex trafficking. Gigi’s House founder and CEO Sabrina Crawford remarked, “Since we opened our doors in May 2018, 120 girls’ lives have changed because of you, and now we will be able to serve so many more because of all of you!”
HomeAid Atlanta is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001, with a mission to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement, and education. HomeAid builds, renovates, and maintains facilities for nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness. HomeAid has completed over 170 construction projects at locations for victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, veterans and more, utilizing connections with building industry professionals and community organizations. HomeAid also provides essential items like diapers, wipes, and hygiene products to those affected by homelessness. HomeAid is the designated charity of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Learn more at www.homeaidatlanta.org.