About Serenade Heights
We have created a safe, God centered home for single moms and their children to rebuild and grow and begin to dream again. Our mission is to assist Single Mothers and their children by providing transitional housing in order for them to begin rebuilding a successful life thru achieving economic self sufficiency, education and training goals, and spiritual growth. We wish to Restore, Renew, and Refresh these families through the power of Jesus Christ and to bring Him Glory in it all.
Our Motivation
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31: 8-9
“Religion that our God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
*Please note: Our program is a six month to two-year commitment requiring an initial intensive interviewing process.
We are not a crisis housing shelter and we do not have immediate placement opportunities for moms in crisis.
If you are a single mom in desperate need of housing or shelter, please use our Emergency Resources list as a guide.
Who we are
Misson
To assist single mothers and their children by providing transitional housing and support in order for them to begin rebuilding a successful life through achieving economic self-sufficiency, education and training goals, and spiritual growth, all through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing Single mothers succeed and dream again is the heart of this ministry.
Vision
To create safe, stable, God centered homes for single moms and their children to rebuild, grow, and begin to dream again.
Core Values
To restore, renew, and refresh Single mother families through a Christ Centered program that values each family and brings glory to God. To build relationships with and educate the community to care for families in need.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Serenade Heights Transitional Housing Program is to provide transitional/supportive housing and social services to homeless, at-risk Single Mom families and to facilitate their self-sufficiency.
Meet our team
Nancy Tucker
Founder & Director of Family Services
Nancy has been meeting the needs of single mothers spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially for two decades through the ministry of First Baptist Church Woodstock Single Mother’s Sunday School class. This led to her motivation to provide transitional housing for single-mom families. She recognized that this was a huge need in her community. Nancy served at FBCW on staff in both the Counseling and Media Ministries for nearly two decades. She co-directed the Women’s Ministry at FBCW and has a huge heart for South African Missions, Music, and Drama. Her blended family consists of five children, two sons-in-law, three daughters-in-law, and eleven fantastic grandchildren!
Lori Shackleford
Executive Director
Lori Shackleford is a passionate lover of Christ, wife, mom, grandmother and servant to her family and community. She and her husband Charlie, have raised 3 children and are faithful volunteers for multiple ministries. Lori pioneered the ALS ministry named “Agape Love Servants” (ALS), at First Baptist Woodstock. ALS cares for families navigating terminal illness. Lori enjoys mentoring high school students, serving at FBCW’s annual summer camp, and SLU for student leaders learning servant leadership. One of her strengths is coordinating, and she was the coordinator of the Johnny Hunt Golf Classic for 4 years. And has coordinated the Serenade Heights golf tournament for the last 3 years. She has a heart for single mom families and has served on the board of directors with Serenade Heights for two year. Lori is also a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children in the foster care system in Cherokee Country. She enjoys traveling to the beach with her husband, and loves a piping hot cup of coffee and a plate full of scones!
ANA LEONARDY
Life Coach
Ana has had the pleasure of coaching woman in all walks of life and in various life transitions, both as a Life Coach and now for Serenade Heights, who are successfully living out their desired vision. She is grateful to have experienced her own life transition which has afforded her the ability to relate to the needs of her clients and to understand what it takes to persevere. Ana and her husband of 34 years, Billy, live in Kennesaw and have 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.
Tori Tippens
Creative Communicator
Tori is passionate about story telling and creating remarkable experiences for others. She is committed to inspiring the next generation to run with excellence and has a heart for restoration. She serves at Waymark Foster Kids camp each summer with her husband Brandon, and has been volunteering with Out of Darkness serving women caught in the bondage of human trafficking since 2013.
Taylor Garland
Case manager
Taylor has worked in case management for 7 years. She has has been working with foster children and their families as they go through the court system. Taylor was a supervisor for our local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in Cherokee County. She has a heart for serving youth and enjoys volunteering in our community. Taylor and her husband live in North GA with their new son and two dogs.
Amber Jones
Development Associate
Amber is a previous graduate of the Serenade Heights program! While in residence, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit and Leadership. After years of serving, the Lord opened doors for advocating and public speaking with ministries and businesses nationally. The Lord brought her full circle, returning to Serenade Heights with an unshakable passion for single mothers. After being accepted into Habitat for Humanity, she and her incredible 7-year-old son now live in north Georgia in their new home. She enjoys serving the Lord, singing, writing poetry, and spending time with her son.
Board of Directors
Suzanne Kerely – President
David Taylor – Vice President
Gina Walters – Secretary
Donna Webb – Treasurer
Debbie Roberson
Wendell Carter
Cindy Taylor
Workshops for Single moms
Every other Thursday Serenade Heights provides free workshops, dinner, and childcare for single moms. Our goal each workshop is to empower you and create community around you and your children!