What 20 Years of Service Taught Luther Washington About Our Neighbors in Need

When Luther Washington first looked at the old Racquetworld building in 2006, most people saw a 40,000-square-foot shell of a building—dilapidated, filled with graffiti, and scheduled for demolition.

But Luther saw potential.

Two decades later, the Family Life Restoration Center (FLRC) has turned that building into a hub that has helped thousands of families in South Cobb.

As FLRC enters its 20th year, Luther’s focus has shifted from just running an organization to understanding the daily, uphill struggles our neighbors face. He has become an expert on the hard realities that Mableton’s most vulnerable residents live through every day.

Here is what he shared with me about the three main groups of neighbors FLRC serves: the "invisible" unhoused, struggling families, and our senior citizens.

The Hidden Math of the "Working Poor"

When people talk about homelessness in Mableton, they usually think of the camps in the woods. Luther serves those neighbors, too, but he spends most of his time on the "invisible" homelessness we often miss.

He sees single mothers working several jobs who are just one car repair away from losing everything. He also sees how the "hotel cycle" traps local families who can't save enough to move into a stable home.

When a mother can’t afford a security deposit and the first month’s rent for an apartment, she often ends up in an extended-stay hotel.

These families pay daily or weekly rates that often exceed what a monthly mortgage would be. They are spending every cent of their liquid cash just to stay dry, leaving nothing for savings or stability. FLRC provides relief through groceries, clothes, and emergency support allowing these mothers to keep their heads above water.

A Lifeline for Mableton’s Seniors

While FLRC serves a wide range of people, the heart of their daily work is dedicated to our senior citizens. This community makes up the majority of those served by the center.

“Seniors that are sitting at home, trying to make a decision: Do I eat, or do I buy my medication?” Luther explains. “I've had plenty of seniors say, 'You have no idea what Family Life has done for me.'”

I’ve seen this echoed from another community leader, Cheri Bailey. In my blog post from November 20, 2025, she shared the story of Ms. Ivy, a heart patient whose struggle is a silent epidemic in Mableton. “She said, 'I haven't eaten in three days,' and she wanted to take her medication,” Cheri shared. “That kind of stuff shouldn't be happening.”

For neighbors like Tom, a senior on disability, FLRC is the bridge that gets him through the month. “I don't have the money to go [to the store] like I should,” Tom says. “I need a little help during the end of the month, most of the time, or two weeks. It helps me feed my family.”

Of the many services offered by FLRC, I was particularly impressed by the clothing section.

Understanding our Neighbors in the Encampments

Each Friday, FLRC volunteers serve those in need.

Luther knows there is no single answer for why a neighbor ends up in the woods. He notes that many are there due to severe PTSD, drug/alcohol abuse, or a history of being "disappointed so many times by the system" that they have retreated from it entirely.

To some of these neighbors, the woods offer a sense of peace and autonomy that the "real world" no longer provides.

Whether it is housing affordability or the psychological toll of a life in crisis, Luther doesn't just see a "case number." He sees a neighbor who has been caught in a cycle of impossible choices.

How to Help

Running an operation this large requires a team effort. While the Center works to care for the "mind, body, and soul" of our neighbors, they can’t keep the doors open without Mableton’s help.

They are always in need of food, clothing, and donations—but more than anything, they need your time.

Being a "Modern Neighbor" means stepping up for the seniors, struggling parents, and unhoused residents Luther sees every day. Their restoration is a responsibility we all share.