Faith-based organization gets nod from committee

A faith-based outfit, which operates out of Walhalla’s S. John Street, seeks to help and rehabilitate former Oconee County prisoners and others in the community who are down and out. And it received a conditional approval last night that once the current Oconee jail is no longer needed, Christ Central Ministries would be allowed space to do their work. Near the end of a meeting last night, County Council Chairman Wayne McCall said he is 100% in favor, and elicited agreement from Sheriff Mike Crenshaw that this would be a worthwhile project. McCall and the rest of the law enforcement committee received testimonials last night from former drug users who have benefited from Christ Central Ministries’ counseling and services—including one man who, after finishing a prison sentence, was unable to cash a check because he had no Social Security number. Christ Central Ministries’ officials Ashley Williams and Keri Unsworth described how clients will be evaluated and interviewed before a determination is made as to how to help them.