At Lydia’s Place, the mission is the foundation of all they do: “to demonstrate God’s love by providing basic care for young adults who have experienced foster care or housing insecurity while promoting their growth to independence”. Founded in 2017, Lydia’s Place was a dream turned reality for April Farlow. Growing up, April heard stories about her great grandmother, Lydia Hight, who was born in 1891 and lived through the Great Depression. Lydia worked hard for what she had, walking two and half miles to work each way, and eventually purchased a piece of land. Over time, she had four houses on the property. During the Great Depression, Lydia opened her home to families in need and exemplified Acts 16:15, “If you believe me to be a follower of Christ, come and stay at my house.” Inspired by her great grandmother’s caring nature, April has spent her own life caring for others. So in 2017 when April founded Lydia’s Place, it was only fitting to name the organization after her great grandmother.
Located in Watkinsville, Georgia, Lydia’s Place serves young adults between ages seventeen to twenty four with a meaningful vision – to see their students, “continue to grow, experience, and develop into independent and active citizens in the communities in which they live”. As a Christian organization, Lydia’s Place is guided by their six core values of faith, independence, commitment, belonging, celebration, and integrity.
Each student at Lydia’s Place is provided with housing in fully furnished apartments at various locations in Athens-Clarke County, with utilities included. While living at Lydia’s Place, students participate in the Elevate program where they learn independent living skills. Lessons range from everyday tasks like how to fold your laundry, to big responsibilities like how to file taxes! Other topics include things like personal safety, financial literacy, goal setting, and much more.
Education and employment are important parts of the program. Students are seeking an educational pathway to set them up for long term success and stability, while working part time jobs to develop money management and save for when they launch from Lydia’s Place. The organization also partners with local therapists, schools, doctors, and other community organizations to provide additional support. Students regularly meet with social workers one on one, as well as in large group settings.
The impact of Lydia’s Place extends beyond their Elevate students. Lydia’s Place also operates a boutique that is open to the public and free for anyone who falls into their service population. This includes foster families, school social workers shopping for a student, DFCS workers, and many others. At the boutique, new and gently used clothes are donated by the community, sorted by volunteers, and stocked for shoppers.
During the summer months, Lydia’s Place collects Provision of Hope baskets for college students who are moving into dorms or apartments. These baskets are full of essential items like sheets, blankets, bath towels, hygiene products, and basic school supplies. Lydia’s Place partners with Embark to distribute these baskets to colleges all across the state of Georgia. In 2026, 187 baskets were distributed to seventeen different colleges!
Executive Director Diane Brantley was connected to the Harbin Family Foundation in 2023 through conversation with Wayne Butler, Outside Salesman with Harbin Lumber. Wayne then connected Diane with Todd Lord, Athens Lumberyard Manager. When asked how she has seen the impact of Lydia’s Place on her community, Diane shared that just this year, “we added 5 more students to our Elevate Program, moving them from housing insecurity to a safe and stable place to live while they pursue their next level of education”. This brings the total number of Elevate students at Lydia’s Place to 23! Diane shared that the future is bright for Lydia’s place: “Through partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Lydia’s Place will have fifteen, two bedroom bungalows by the end of the year which will allow us to serve thirty more students.” But, Diane thought the impact of Lydia’s Place is best captured in the words of the students themselves:
“Without Lydia’s Place, my life would be hopeless and I would not have the support I need.”
“I got my driver’s license which is a really big milestone for me”
“Lydia’s Place surrounds me with people who care, love and support me in my goals. People who don’t judge me because of what I’ve been through. It means community and family.”
The Harbin Family Foundation is proud to support the work of Lydia’s Place and the lasting impact they are making in the lives of young adults throughout Oconee County, Athens-Clarke Counties and beyond!