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We Are Family Home Care Services (WAF) celebrated its five-year anniversary June 18 at The Nelson Place.

WAF is a not-for-profit service provider that was formed to meet the need for safe and affordable in-home, non-medical services. The organization provides companionship services such as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, grocery shopping/errands, incidental transportation, medication reminders, grooming and respite care. Additionally, care services such as bathing, grooming, and hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring and positioning, toileting and incontinence and feeding/special diet assistance, are provided.

Founder Patricia Cross, originally from New York, said she believes God sent her to Atmore even though she didn’t want to come.

Cross said her mom got sick, and she decided to leave New York to come take care of her mother.

Cross said the cost for services to take care of her mother was high, and from there the idea to provide affordable care was born.

“We make it affordable to those who need care, to have care,” she said. “This is what God has ordained us to do in this community.”

Cross said it’s about five years of God’s glory.

“I’m thankful to God that he’s allowed me to be here,” she said.

During the anniversary celebration, testimonials were given from families and a caregiver.

Representatives of the Hardy family said they’re forever grateful for WAF for the care they’ve provided their mother.

Russell Robinson said WAF was a valuable help for his father’s care.

“They helped make sure my father was comfortable and dressed and clean,” Robinson said.

Vanessa Perkins said WAF helped her when her husband got sick, and the spiritual lift Cross provided paid dividends.

Caregiver Sinora Redman said she believes WAF needed her as much as she needed the organization.

“If I can help someone, this is what I’m going to do,” Redman said. “We treat each family as our own family.

“I look at this as a blessing,” she said.

Donors, partners and contributors to WAF include United Fund of Atmore, Atmore Community Foundation, Walmart, Alto Products, United Bank, Philanthropic Seed, Standard Bearer Ministries, First United Methodist Church of Atmore, Love and Faith Ministries, Anthony and Magaline Marshall, Minister Robert White, Thomas Catering Service, David’s Catfish House and Ramey’s Marketplace.