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New Ventures and Calumet Center for Healing and Attachment have announced the planned merger of their nonprofit organizations and have accepted the Thyme Away Bed and Breakfast as a gift-in-kind donation. 

According to New Ventures Marketing and Sales Specialist Anabeth Ivey, New Ventures will serve as the parent organization and Calumet Center for Healing and Attachment will operate as a division of New Ventures out of the new Thyme Away Campus.  

Thyme Away Bed and Breakfast is currently being used as office space for Calumet Center but could potentially be used for something else, according to Ivey. 

“The conversation started in late October and was brought up through a mutual contact,” Ivey said. “In a meeting, they brought up the idea and presented it. A few more conversations later about logistics later, it was voted on in November.” 

The New Ventures Board of Directors voted unanimously in support of the merger and the many new opportunities it creates for the two organizations.  

“Since 1971, New Ventures has been expanding and refining our mission, this partnership allows us to expand once again,” New Ventures CEO Mike Wilson said. “When the opportunity to partner with Calumet Center for Healing and Attachment and the donation of Thyme Away presented itself, I knew this was the right thing to do at the right time. When it all came together at the same time, I knew that God certainly had a hand in making this happen. We are excited about working with the excellent staff and stakeholders from CCHA and look forward to what we can accomplish together.”

Ivey said Calumet Center is working as a division of New Ventures and all staff were hired on through as New Ventures employees. 

The Calumet Center for Healing and Attachment provides a nurturing environment for women and children seeking recovery-support services for trauma, mental illness or substance abuse. Combining individualized care and a compassionate, trauma-responsive community, CCHA advocates for hope, new possibilities and the enduring spirit of faith and family. 

“The staff and Board of Directors of CCHA are excited about the partnership with New Ventures,” Executive Director of CCHA Michele Bedingfield said. “This merger provides a great opportunity to better serve the women and children of Troup County. When the founders of CCHA searched for a home for the program back in 2017, the historic Thyme Away Bed and Breakfast was the first building that was evaluated. Unfortunately, we were unable to realize that goal at the time. Today, we are so grateful for this donation and for the partnership with New Ventures.” 

Thyme Away Bed and Breakfast, located at 508 Greenville Street, was donated by Bill and Karen Scarborough as a gift-in-kind to New Ventures. 

Ivey said the owners were looking to donate the facility to a local nonprofit.

“Bill and I are excited to see what is in store for Thyme Away in the future,” Karen said. “Our many guests over 20 plus years of running a B&B made for wonderful memories. We hope that in its new incarnation, Thyme Away will be a “home away from home” for many more. Wishing all the best for the future.” 

“New Ventures has been a great resource for our community and has helped thousands of local residents over the years,” Mayor Jim Thornton said in a press release. 

“This merger with Calumet Center will enable them to expand the services they provide, and this very generous gift from the Scarborough’s will help make that possible. I am always amazed by the level of generosity and commitment to service of people in our city, and these organizations and individuals are great examples of that.” 

For more information about the organizations, visit www.newventures.org or www.calumetcenter.org.