Welcome
Love God. Love People. Love Country.
We focus on diverse group of Veterans and families to develop new face-to-face friendships and do life together in the NWGa.
Who We Are
Our Story
Let's Be Friends Community (LBFC) was founded by Gus and Christine Hai Swanson; a husband and wife team and newcomers to Rome, Georgia.
Like you, they enjoy meeting new friends as a positive social community with a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
As you know, good friends in a caring community are vital to living well.
WE WANT THAT FOR ALL OF US!
You’re not alone in feeling alone.
We are physically, emotionally and spiritually hardwired by God for relationships. Our souls crave for authentic connections.
Did you know? …
According to a study by Duke University, 24 veterans commit suicide every day, and an additional 20 die every day due to overdose! We can all agree this is totally unexceptable! Loneliness is a major cause of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and there are studies that warn us that LONELINESS is worse for our health than obesity, smoking, or physical inactivity.
Today we, with our active & passionate Let’s be Friends Community members, focus on supporting our women and men veterans and their families in NW GA.
THERE IS A GREATER NEED TO GROW GENUINE AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS IN EVERY COMMUNITY.
God put this dream, Lets Be Friends Community in their hearts, to step out in faith and reach a more diverse local community; churchgoers and non-churchgoers, Rome newcomers and long-term residents of all ages, in a politically free and safe environment. A place to develop new face-to-face friendships and do life together.
Even though new expanding technologies give us numerous opportunities to connect via cell phone, text, social media, FaceTime, X, Zoom, etc....we STILL have a relational deficit in our society and feel more disconnected.
Despite these growing methods to connect, our world is plagued by loneliness.
Sometimes we don't even know our neighbors.
Our community strives to offer a positive connection culture of a community to make a difference in being a good friend. That’s what friends are for....
This community is for everyone to practice, and to learn from the greatest friend of all time: Jesus!
By following His example is our community's roadmap! God is in the center of our community and He leads our community. We will be richly blessed to follow His examples to learn, grow and connect with each other..
At Let's Be Friends Community, our mission is to Love God. Love People. Love Country.
We believe in the power of positive connection and friendship support.
Let's Be Friends Community's goal IS NOT to stare at a screen to grow more social media followers.
Our goal is to create a loving and diverse community where strong and lasting friendships are based on our 4 core values.
Our re-discover the art of friendship program is based on these 4 basic values ( see below) to practice and apply in our everyday relationships no matter who we are. We are here for all our lonely friends and neighbors with our community to have a friend to count on ; a friendly place to develop new face-to-face friendships.
IT TAKES TIME. IT TAKES CHANGES. IT TAKES YOU.
We encourage you to explore our website further to learn more about our socialization opportunities, monthly meet up in our upcoming events page and scroll down further to discover how you can get involved in this journey of meeting new friends while making a difference with us.
Together, we can have positive change in our individual growth as well as in our community as a whole.
Together, we can make our difference in building deep community in a lonely world.
Together, we need each other to eradicate loneliness by your willingness and your generousity to infuse and impact our growth to support our mission in our various friendship programs to connect with each other..
Our ongoing goals are to reach MORE people out there in our communnities and neighborhoods that are isolated, disconnected that need our community as a caring place to turn to.
Whether you're looking for local resources, or just want to be a good neighbor to volunteer, meet more diverse new friends and/or simply have a place to belong to socialize once a month, we are here for you!
We look forward to meeting you, collaborating with you and developing meaningful friendships with you!
Our CORE Values
At Let's Be Friends Community, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality community support. We approach each friend with compassion, respect, and empathy, and strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
OUR COMMON FOCUS
Love God. Love People. Love Country
OUR CORE VALUES
1. We S.E.E YOU!!!
Support
Encourage
Empower
2.. With A.C.T.S in our community!
Accountability
Commitment
Trust (Teamwork)
Service
3. We L.I.F.T each other up!
Living
In
Faith
Together
4. "IN GOD WE TRUST"
community monthly meet-up
We meet on one Wednesday of each month in the heart of Rome, Georgia at the Sara Hightower Regional Library.
** Monthly dinner dates, time and location subject to change. Always check our schedule before attending on "Upcoming Events Page" for the most current dates before attending.
We, at LBFC encourages you take this opportunity to FIND YOUR PLACE TO BELONG and discover our community at your own pace.
Regardless if this is not right for you, we would love to share a meal and a warm invitation to meet you and give you an opportunity to meet our family in your local community. Go to our Potluck Sign-Up Page, click on "RSVP- NEW FRIEND" button to let us know you would like to visit and what month is best for you.
First time guests need not to bring a dish. We would like to know if you are coming for our food planning purposes for our potluck preparation team.
Every meeting will start with a social meet & greet followed by dinner and a program of interest to the LBF Community. Doors open at 5:00pm with registration. Dinner Dinner begins at 5:45pm and ends by 7:30pm.
During winter months with the time change, we move our time up to 4PM with registration and dinner at 5:00pm. ( we are sensitive to older members who don't like to drive home too late)
See address and Map below for location. (Go to "Upcoming Events" page for monthly current meeting dates and details).
In addition to the monthly meeting, you can get involved in one (or more) of the following areas, to share your talents and gifts with others while developing new and lasting friendships.
4 Ways TO GET INVOLVED...
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
We do monthly family-style potluck dinner together!
A potluck is when every member brings a dish to share. Potlucks originated during hard times in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. This makes potlucks perfect for our current economic time and our monthly dinner. It is a low-pressure way to find a little joy to share and break brea
We do monthly family-style potluck dinner together!
A potluck is when every member brings a dish to share. Potlucks originated during hard times in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. This makes potlucks perfect for our current economic time and our monthly dinner. It is a low-pressure way to find a little joy to share and break bread together among friends and foster new relationships. At the heart of our LBF Community, a potluck is a low stress opportunity to enjoy yourself, meet new friends, and mingle over a delicious meal.
"MEMBERS IN NEED" VOLUNTEERS
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
We serve all LBF Community Veterans and families who are "active" members only. Active means any members who are involved and engaged with our community consistently. . Our priority is to honor and serve our Veterans first and foremost who have served the country we all love. Our goal is to provide loving support, and respect to each mem
We serve all LBF Community Veterans and families who are "active" members only. Active means any members who are involved and engaged with our community consistently. . Our priority is to honor and serve our Veterans first and foremost who have served the country we all love. Our goal is to provide loving support, and respect to each member's situation with healthy boundaries through our coordinator with simple handyman tasks at member homes & property. We are based on kindhearted volunteers only when they are available and able therefore, we are not a 24/7 full professional or financial services organization.
We may be able to recommend professional resources to your requests. Please click on our "PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES" page that anyone can reach out for help beyond our abilities. We strive to continue to add to this list to assistance you.
Ask for immediate assistance through our Director, Jane B.
COMMUNITY MARKET
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
WOMEN SMALL GROUP
Wednesday Community Market- OPENING DATE COMING SOON! Stay tuned... Let's Be Friends Community supports creative minds and members who are homemade craft makers, designers, artists, bakers, farmers market DIY'ers, as well as small business owners! Vendors can be service or product sellers. This is a great way to foster friendship while p
Wednesday Community Market- OPENING DATE COMING SOON! Stay tuned... Let's Be Friends Community supports creative minds and members who are homemade craft makers, designers, artists, bakers, farmers market DIY'ers, as well as small business owners! Vendors can be service or product sellers. This is a great way to foster friendship while promoting your talents, gifts or small business with our community in a very visible location.
It will be a weekly Wednesday Open Market from 10 am-4 pm to bring our community together.
(Go to the "Wednesday Market" page to learn more)
WOMEN SMALL GROUP
COMMUNITY MONTHLY MEET-UP POTLUCK
WOMEN SMALL GROUP
Women Of the Way Ministry (W.O.W) - women's small groups for tea, coffee, crafting, Bible Study, outings, luncheons and fellowship to enjoy some girls quality time and grow in Faith together.
(Go to the "Women Of the Way" page to learn more)
we are a non-profit organization
Please remember us with your generous gifts to impact our mission to make a difference.
Let's Be Friends Community is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt organization. Your contribution may be tax deductible as provided by law. In accordance with IRS regulation, no goods or servicess were provided to you in consideration of this gift.
Our federal tax identification number is 99-4360785.
Veteran's Day Parade: Monday Nov.11th @9am
Calling ALL Veterans in Rome and surrounding NW Georgia to come out and be a part of the Veteran's Day Parade, Monday Nov. 11 at 9am.
Lets Be Friends Community is pleased to honor and to participate in the Rome. Georgia Veteran's Day Parade.
Click button below for more details!