Selma-based Friends of Olivia has reached a milestone – a permanent home in a former church.
Founders Paige and Chris Harris who created the organization after their daughter Olivia was diagnosed with autism, now has physical location and is preparing for one of its largest public events to date.
After Covenant Christian Church moved into the old Meadowview Church campus, church leadership decided to give Friends of Olivia their former campus at 241 Old Marion Junction Road.
“We now have officially a brick-and-mortar location for Friends of Olivia,” Paige Harris said. “That was something that you think is in the five- to 10-year plan, but the Lord has opened up so many doors.”
The building is more than 5,000 square feet and sits on a large piece of property that the group already uses for events. Harris said the long-term plan is to renovate the classrooms, create a sensory gym, attract therapists to work with local children and eventually open a thrift store that would provide job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
“We have big plans now,” she said. “The focus is fundraising and grant writing so that we can renovate and make the property even better to serve the community.”
Friends of Olivia is also preparing for a major fall festival on Oct. 10. Harris said the event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the new campus and will include a car show, a rib cookoff and activities for children. They are partnering with the Potter Station Volunteer Fire Department and will take vendors.
Rib cookoff teams can register through a link on the Friends of Olivia Facebook page. Harris said the entry fee is $100 and the prize pool will be split between the organization and the winning teams.
Harris said anyone interested in entering the cook off or becoming a vendor can contact her at 205-561-9712 or by email at thefriendsofolivia.selma@gmail.com.
Friends of Olivia serves Dallas, Perry, Lowndes and Wilcox counties, but Harris said anyone from any other counties are welcome too.
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