Fayetteville, N.C.'s Epicenter Church Dream Center

Online, March 28, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Epicenter Church of Fayetteville, N.C. is excited to announce the launch of a local resource center modeled after the Dream Center founded by Pastor Tommy Barnett in Los Angeles, CA.

"We are exploring the idea of developing a resource center that would serve as something similar to the dream centers in LA and NY. Epicenter Church is driven to impact the community by volunteering thousands of hours towards community projects. It will be a community resource center that offers hope and assistance for the overwhelming needs in our community. The Dream Center will be a transitional type facility for the less fortunate who are looking to recover and transition back into society," said Pastor Mark Knight, lead pastor of Epicenter Church in Fayetteville, NC.

According to their website, the L.A. Dream Center services include residential rehabilitation programs, a shelter for victims of human trafficking, a transitional shelter for homeless families, mobile hunger relief and medical programs, and a foster care intervention outreach which works closely with Los Angeles County's Department of Children and Family Services. Programs such as adult basic education, job skills training, and life skills counseling are also provided. Founded in 1994, The Dream Center has led to the launch of over 100 independent Dream Centers nationally and internationally.

In addition to a similar program roster Knight says he wants to emphasize wellness & nutritional programs, vocational rehabilitation, pregnancy crisis, anger management classes and drug related rehabilitation focusing on teens as well as adults at this resource center.

"We're really excited to implement the vision of this program here in Cumberland County. It's been a dream of mine for the past 5 years and it's something that I believe will greatly benefit not only our local residents but our active military and veteran community as well," Knight continued.

Pastor Tommy Barnett, co-pastor of the L.A. Dream Center, said, "I would fully embrace Epicenter Church's desire to establish a Dream Center in Fayetteville." Through a burgeoning relationship between Pastor Barnett, Epicenter Church, and the Fayetteville Dream Center focus group, Pastor Barnett explained, "I am excited about the idea of a resource center serving the Fayetteville community. I will fully endorse it and be willing to lend the support and resources of the Dream Center Team."

Epicenter is currently reviewing location options for the Dream Center and is continuing to explore program offerings specifically beneficial to the area and its needs. Last year Cumberland County's unemployment peaked at over 10 percent, with a year ending rate above the national average. The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau estimated over 17 percent of all people in the county as having below poverty level income and over 1600 homeless within the area.

"There's definitely a need and we're really excited to tell the community about it. Our congregation is on board with the idea and we are ready to make this happen!" Knight said.

For more information on the Dream Center, visit www.fayettevilledreamcenter.com.

Photo caption: Pastor Mark Knight with Pastor Tommy Barnett, founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center.