Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Turner
Hi Debbie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In October of 1991, Amber was born into our family. The youngest of four, Amber enjoyed the love and support of two older sisters and one older brother. As her mother, I embraced the opportunity of raising a child born with Down Syndrome. Upon the completion of her high school years, Amber, just like her siblings, desired to go to college. Blessed to discover Shepherds College, she was able to pursue her lifelong dream of studying Culinary Arts. As she nears the completion of her studies at Shepherds College, Amber continues to have the same dreams as her siblings – a life of independent living and opportunity.
She is our why and inspiration for building Amber Grace Community. We desire to build a place for Amber and others with similar special needs, to live with safe, supported independence while providing opportunities for spiritual, emotional, social and intellectual growth, and also providing opportunities to work, serve, and give back to their community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The Board of Directors for Amber Grace Community have been busy dreaming and planning since 2019, seeking to bring the vision to reality. We officially broke ground May 1, 2024 on property inside the gates of Berry College located in Mount Berry (Rome), GA. Things have been moving along quickly ever since! It’s exciting to see the dream on paper come to life with brick and mortar. We have been more than blessed along the way with a team of architects, project managers, engineers, designers and a construction company that share our passion to bring to life a community of dignity, opportunity, appropriately supported independence, and a life of abundance for our 48 future Neighbors with mild Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Our challenge and mission is to cultivate a Christ-led Abundant Life for every Neighbor, their Families, and the Communities we serve as outlined by Jesus in John 10:10.
As with most start-up non-profits, funding is always a concern. We actively seek to partner with those who share our passion and have a heart for the special needs community to experience Abundant Life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As for me personally, I am an experienced educator, Bible study facilitator and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.
I serve as Co-Founder of Amber Grace overseeing design and vision implementation. Prior to creating Amber Grace, I have served my family as a work-at-home mom while volunteering in various leadership roles with church, school, and Bible study organizations. I also homeschooled my four children for a portion of their educational years. Before becoming a work-at-home mom, I was employed as a music teacher in Cherokee county Georgia.
I completed courses through the Honors Program at the University of Georgia and graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education.
My husband, David, and I have been married for forty-five years. We have four children and ten grandchildren with whom I enjoy making happy memories. Besides developing a community for special needs adults, I desire to write a devotional book especially curated for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk taking feels less like risk and more like mission when a clear vision or purpose has been established. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18. Our vision felt like a monumental task when we began five years ago, and we have encountered some challenges along the way. However, fear and discouragement found no resting place in our camp because we have been given a clear and compelling mission. We are fully committed to seeing this vision to reality.
This is not the path most retiree’s take, but as my husband and I considered what is best for Amber’s future, we were clearly called to accept this mission and all it entails, and we are grateful she will get to share this community with 47 other special needs Neighbors in need of a place to thrive, to live Abundantly with the little extra support their special needs require.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ambergrace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambergracecommunity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambergracecommunity/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZbaegXXCvgeZnIfkkoeemA @ambergracecommunity
