JONESBORO — Christian City CEO and President Keith Horton made a presentation to the Clayton County Board of Commissioners during its Sept. 19 regular meeting requesting to use the closed Rainbow House facility to serve homeless and runaway children.
The Rainbow House — a temporary shelter for abused, neglected, and abandoned children — closed after four suspects were arrested in March in connection with sexual misconduct and a cover-up of those allegations at the Rainbow House.
In his presentation, Horton said Christian City had been a partner with Rainbow House and took in some of the children when the facility closed.
Rainbow House served Clayton, Fayette, Henry and Rockdale counties.
As part of the national Safe Place program for homeless and runaway children, Christian City — which is based in Union City — serves those counties as well as Fulton, Douglas, Cobb, Coweta and Carroll. Christian City also serves the city of Decatur and the Atlanta portion of DeKalb County.
Christian City is asking Clayton County to invest in capital improvements to the Rainbow House facility; some fixtures, furniture, and utilities; ongoing maintenance and repairs; and rent and utilities.
Christian City was founded in 1962 and opened a children’s home for homeless and runaway youth in 1965.
Christian City serves about 1,000 individuals in programs for children, families, and seniors.
The Sept. 19 presentation was the second this month concerning the Rainbow house.
On Sept. 12, Christina Guillen, founder and head of schools for 7 Pillars Career Academy in Morrow, spoke to the county commission about a plan for a homeless shelter.
The proposed homeless shelter at the Rainbow House facility at 879 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro, would be run by YouthServe360 Inc. — which is the same non-profit company as 7 Pillars.
The shelter would be for families…
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