New Golden Girl facility dedicated

CEREDO -- In the old days, a traditional barn raising brought together an entire community working to accomplish a single goal. On Friday, Golden Girl Group Home in Ceredo hosted a similar event as business partners and community leaders joined with the home's staff to dedicate its new transitional living facility called Project Shine.

Project Shine is a housing expansion on the Golden Girl campus which will serve as a transitional living facility for four young women moving from life at Golden Girl into college or vocational school. It is a fully modernized, independent living environment for girls under the care of Golden Girl Group Home.

"Golden Girl is a miracle, it really is. The stories I could tell you of things that have happened here are just miraculous," said director Renee Harrison. "It takes a village to raise a child, and that's what it takes to do all this, and I can't thank all of you enough for your involvement."

Harrison was thanking the myriad business partners who donated time and resources to complete the two-story house. The house features a large living area, two-and-a-half baths and a study area with computers. The original goal to renovate an existing home on the property was thwarted when contractors discovered poor structural conditions.

"More than 30 local businesses and organizations came together to volunteer their time and support the project financially. Without them, it would not have been possible," said Nikki Thomas, the home's development director.

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant attended Friday's celebration and ribbon-cutting and said the concept of the facility is what "West Virginia is all about."

"What West Virginia is all about is coming together to help out. This whole neighborhood is working together to strengthen these young girls," Tennant said. "They can start the independent journey of their lives while drawing on the support of the home as needed, increasing their chance for success at life.

"If these young women are strong, our community is strong, our state is strong, and our nation is strong," she continued. "It's nice to know these organizations are here to help them piece their lives back together again."