A closer look and understanding of Homelessness in Atlanta
"Friends" is possibly a better word to use when speaking of the homeless in Atlanta. The homeless men and women of our city have captured my heart. I want to do everything I can to draw attention to their world and the decisions being made that affect them.
This lens is about sharing everything I can connected to subject of homelessness in Atlanta. It is intended to be a resource to anyone interested in the subject. Please share any articles, stories, or photos you may come across connected to this lens.
Let's together get informed so we can together make change....
If you see anything this page is missing please share it with me. You can post your comments at the bottom of the page or e-mail them to me directly at info@homelessatlanta.com.
This lens is about sharing everything I can connected to subject of homelessness in Atlanta. It is intended to be a resource to anyone interested in the subject. Please share any articles, stories, or photos you may come across connected to this lens.
Let's together get informed so we can together make change....
If you see anything this page is missing please share it with me. You can post your comments at the bottom of the page or e-mail them to me directly at info@homelessatlanta.com.
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Questions???
Think about it...
...read each of these questions and respond.
1. What do homeless people look like?
2. What is your initial reaction to encountering a homeless person?
3. How old are most homeless people?
4. Do most homeless people have families?
5. Could most homeless people stop being homeless if they wanted to?
6. Do most homeless people have enough money but choose to spend it on something else other than a home?
7. If you wre in that situation, how would you want others to respond to you?
8. What is the best way to help homeless individuals?
9. What are steps society should take to alleviate homelessness in the United States?
10. Can and individual make a difference? How?
2. What is your initial reaction to encountering a homeless person?
3. How old are most homeless people?
4. Do most homeless people have families?
5. Could most homeless people stop being homeless if they wanted to?
6. Do most homeless people have enough money but choose to spend it on something else other than a home?
7. If you wre in that situation, how would you want others to respond to you?
8. What is the best way to help homeless individuals?
9. What are steps society should take to alleviate homelessness in the United States?
10. Can and individual make a difference? How?
Should homeless people be allowed to loiter/ sleep in public places?
Add your response to this question... What do you think???
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
nadia smith says:
homeless people can acutally be somewhere if they strive hard enough for it!!!!
Posted November 02, 2009
mayliah walker says:
yes
Posted November 02, 2009
RICHARD says:
YES
Posted October 07, 2009
Marlana says:
If there is not room in a shelter.....where do you expect them to sleep? Don't fool yourselves....this city does not have room enough for all it's homeless.
Posted September 09, 2009
No
Stephanie says:
I don't feel sorry for the homeless in this city. The majority of homeless people that I see (I live in Midtown) are on drugs (either that or mental illness or a combination). I get harassed for money nearly day either in my car or walking around my neighborhood so I say No. I think the new mayor needs to clean up the city and send them to the Salvation Army and rehabilate them so they can get jobs and get off crack.
Posted November 20, 2009
bonquisha says:
homeless need to stry
Posted November 02, 2009
Could most homeless people stop being homeless if they wanted to?
Add your response to this question. Please share what you think.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
Mary says:
I agree 100% with Ysmn. Compassion is free. :)
Posted September 19, 2009
Marlana says:
Some...but many need help getting through the government beurocratic web to attain things as simple as their deserved veterans benefits or disability insurance...AND an address to begin recieving them at...
Posted September 09, 2009
Ysmn says:
Any of us could be homeless at any time. We all make a plan, but God could make another just to test us. COMPASSION is free, pass it on!
Posted August 03, 2009
No
RICHARD says:
NO MANY CANNOT GET A JOB DUE TO APPEARANCE AND MONEY
Posted October 07, 2009
Andy Herndon says:
I use to work with homeless people in a tent city in Las Vegas...we would give these guys not only opportunities to get off the street but work and food etc. Many of them would not take it... it was hard to see...of those who would take us up on our offer they were back on the streets within a few weeks. There was something addictive about their lifestyle. So often they would say "if only ...." fill in the blank...and would would offer them the "if only..." We bought bus tickets, rented apartments, got them bus passes, got them steady work...it was so frustrating. We would give them what they said they needed to get their life together and they would purposely mess up their situation and be back to where they were before...maybe it was addiction that kept them on the streets, maybe it was the community they felt among the other homeless people, maybe it was lack of responsibilty ... I don't know. I truly belive tha oblythe transformation of an intimate w/ Christ can change them.
Posted September 20, 2009
Daniel Velez says:
I believe that all homeless individuals want to STOP being homeless. Infact if you check this site out http://digg.com/people/10_Reasons_Why_Homeless_People_Choose_To_Be_Homeless Click on where it says 10 reasons why people choose to be homeless---- You will soon realize that people don't want to be homeless! Now if you check this site http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/28/national/main5192833.shtml ---
You will see that the city of Atlanta and the Mayor's team have not exactly helped the situation.
Posted August 04, 2009
Is it possible to end homelessness?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
abell says:
I understand that there will always be poor people in this world, because that is how the rich remain rich, by taxing those less fortunate. Yet I do believe that if everyone could have a heart for those that have less then them and for those that do not have at all then maybe something can be done to extremely reduce and maybe even possibly eliminating homelessness. Those that say no, honestly it is because you have no hope, if you change then maybe those around you might as well.
Posted June 11, 2009
diamond says:
I think that homelessness is something that can not be eliminated but I do believe that it can be lessened. With the right resources many homeless people would not be homeless.
Posted May 09, 2009
Alicia says:
It is possible - will it happen, probably not. There's no way to address every reason why each person is homeless - it's not all about addiction.
Posted April 27, 2009
No
Marlana says:
No..there will always be people who have no family or have been rejected by their families and society who will need the help of "strangers". It can happen to any of us.....with the economy as it is many poeple are but a paycheck away from losing their homes....maybe they have and are relying on friends or family.....homeless is not a dirty word. It CAN happen to anyone.
Posted September 09, 2009
Dave says:
From a biblical standpoint. NO.
Posted April 29, 2009
Michael says:
We can't assume that homelessness is a problem itself. It is merely a symptom of other problems. Ending homelessness is a lesser issue to ending joblessness, starvation, sloth, addictions, and hatred.
Posted April 27, 2009
jdluntjr says:
I think it is possible to greatly reduce it. But to end it, probably not
Posted April 22, 2009
Myths About Homelessness
Reducing, and eventually ending homelessness depends a great deal on approaching the causes and conditions of homeless with a perception that is grounded in facts. Unfortunately, some perceptions of homelessness have been clouded by common myths.
Georgia's homeless people are from somewhere else.Most Georgians - homeless or otherwise - were born somewhere else. Many of Georgia's homeless people were not homeless when they arrived.
More services will attract more homeless.
This is part of the "magnet theory." In reality, however, people come here for the same reasons others do - economic opportunity. People don't travel across the country for a temporary stay at a shelter. Usually the prospect of a job is the primary reason for leaving a familiar environment and traveling to a new city.
Downtown Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah are the only places in the state to survive when you're homeless.
Poor people gravitate to metropolitan areas when they run out of resources. Downtown areas offer a transportation hub for looking for jobs and other resources. However, many homeless individuals and families reside in beach areas, in farming communities, and in suburbs throughout the state. Here, they can survive more safely and without being noticed.
The government will take care of these people.
Government at all levels is hamstrung with limited tax revenue. More than ever, the private sector is being asked to help out.
Most homeless are living on welfare.
Only Georgia's women and men with children are eligible for TANF. Currently 20% to 25% of Georgia's families receive TANF, with an average payment of $249. Families receiving this support are limited to a lifetime limit of four years and requires work assignments and active job searching. It is not a "free ride."
Much More From: GAHomeless.org
Understand the issue.
Causes of Homelessness
All homeless individuals are not on the street by choice or alcoholics or drug abusers. Many are people who fell into hard times looking for better economic opportunities. Here are some other ways people become homeless.
Poverty - Being poor means being an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets.Severe Depression - Can make it impossible for an individual to maintain a stable life.
Job Loss - No income to pay rent.
Low Wages - Declining wages have put housing out of reach for many workers: in every state, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent.
Mental Illness - Approximately 20-25% of the single adult homeless population suffer from some form of severe and persistent mental illness.
Physical Disabilities - Disabled individuals may be unable to work or find appropriate employment. For those receiving SSI, they often struggle to obtain and maintain stable housing.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - This disorder is common with veterans and those that have been in violent situations. It can make it difficult to have a stable life.
Much More From: GAHomless.org
More on homelessness
...from Wikipedia
Homelessness (UK: sleeping rough) is the condition of and social category of people who don't have a regular house or dwelling because they cannot afford, pay for, or are otherwise unable to maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or they lack, "fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence" United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, "Federal Definition of Homeless" The actual legal definition varies from country to country, or among different entities or institutions in the same country or region."Glossary defining homelessness"
The term homelessness may also include people whose primary nighttime residence is in a homeless shelter, in an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.Office of Applied Studies, United States Department of Health and Human Services,"Terminology"United States Code, Title 42, Chapter 119, Subchapter I, § 11302. United States Code: General definition of a homeless individual.
An estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless.Human Rights: More Than 100 Million Homeless Worldwide
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a "chronically homeless" person as "an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years."HUD working definition of Chronically homeless
The Facts: Statistics concerning homelessness in Atlanta
According to the 2009 Tri-Jurisdictional Area (City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, Fulton County) Homeless Census and Survey there are...... 2,164 people living unsheltered on the streets
... 2,357 people living in emergency shelters
... 2,498 people living in transitional shelters
... 7,019 counted homeless people in Atlanta
This report is done each year by Pathways and GA State University. In one night they try to count as many people as they can find that are living in homeless conditions. After working with Atlanta's homeless population for now over two years I am willing to say the real number is closer to 10,000.
Here are some statistics that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs came out with in their report July of 2008 concerning homelessness in the entire state of GA. According to this report there are...
... 8,355 people living unsheltered in the state
... 12,058 people living in shelters in the state
... 20,413 people living homeless in the state any given day of the year
... 70,000 people who will be homeless at one time or another throughout the year
Atlanta city's response to the issue
In 2003, under the leadership of Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta developed a Blueprint to End Homelessness and an action plan of how to make that happen.
The Blueprint provides a set of strategies focused on connecting the homeless to the services and resources they need to reach and sustain self-sufficiency. It is our community's roadmap to ending long-term homelessness.
Read the Full Blueprint (pdf)
Read the Executive Summary (pdf)
Seven Point Plan (pdf)
Following acceptance of the Blueprint to End Homelessness in March 2003, Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta announced a Seven Point immediate action plan.
Regional Commission action plans:
The following plans address specific areas of focus within overall efforts to end long-term homelessness.
Permanent Supportive Housing for Atlanta: A Five-Year Plan (pdf)
Addiction/Mental Health Continuum of Care task force recommendations (pdf)
Employment Opportunities Strategic Plan (pdf)
Regional Commission reports:
The following plans address specific areas of focus within overall efforts to end long-term homelessness.
Five Year Progress Report of the Regional Commission on Homelessness (pdf)
Four Year Progress Report of the Regional Commission on Homelessness (pdf)
Three Year Progress Report of the Regional Commission on Homelessness (pdf)
The Blueprint provides a set of strategies focused on connecting the homeless to the services and resources they need to reach and sustain self-sufficiency. It is our community's roadmap to ending long-term homelessness.
Read the Full Blueprint (pdf)
Read the Executive Summary (pdf)
Seven Point Plan (pdf)
Following acceptance of the Blueprint to End Homelessness in March 2003, Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta announced a Seven Point immediate action plan.
Regional Commission action plans:
The following plans address specific areas of focus within overall efforts to end long-term homelessness.
Permanent Supportive Housing for Atlanta: A Five-Year Plan (pdf)
Addiction/Mental Health Continuum of Care task force recommendations (pdf)
Employment Opportunities Strategic Plan (pdf)
Regional Commission reports:
The following plans address specific areas of focus within overall efforts to end long-term homelessness.
Five Year Progress Report of the Regional Commission on Homelessness (pdf)
Four Year Progress Report of the Regional Commission on Homelessness (pdf)
Three Year Progress Report of the Regional Commission on Homelessness (pdf)
Stop Panhandling
The Central Atalanta Progress' response to panhandlers
Panhandling is not the answer.You lose because panhandlers often use your money to support their addictions to alcohol and drugs. They lose by continuing these destructive behaviors rather than seeking help. The more you give your change to panhandlers, the more their lives don't change.
Food is readily available for those in need, as well as shelter and other support services. Supporting local organizations that provide these services is the best way to help. A donation of $100 can provide one week of transitional housing with intensive professional services for someone in need.
Invest in long-term solutions by giving your financial support and volunteering your time to help local organizations and service providers. To learn more about alternatives to handouts, please call the Ambassador Force of Downtown Atlanta at (404) 215-9600.
Responding to Panhandlers
* Asking for money is illegal anytime in Downtown Atlanta, and after dark throughout the City.
* If you would like to report an illegal panhandler, please call the Ambassador Force of Downtown Atlanta at (404) 215-9600. Of course, if you feel threatened or if the panhandler shows aggressive behavior, immediately call 911 for police assistance.
* If you encounter a panhandler, always walk away with certainty and confidence.
* Make eye contact and acknowledge the person with a nod. Choose to respond politely, and simply say "no" or "sorry".
* If you want to offer panhandlers something, consider bottled water or food gift certificates rather than money
Visit The Central Atlanta Progress Website or Facebook for more information.
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Catch up to date.
Top Atlanta News Stories
These links are the latest stories that have been reported from Atlanta based news sources.
- Man Charged In Killing Of Homeless Woman - News Story - WSB Atlanta
- October 23, 2009 - Police arrested a man in the slaying of a homeless woman found dead in front of a church.
- Atlanta homeless shelters strain under economic crisis
- October 23, 2009 - As the economic crisis deepens, Atlanta, Georgia, emergency providers are straining to accommodate more than 7,000 homeless people, including many newly homeless families.
- Feeding the Homeless on Thanksgiving Day 2009 | Christianpost.com
- October 26, 2009 - My wife and I were blessed to be able to serve at 7 Bridges to Recovery where we met Pastor 7 and his men!
- Nonprofit Kaiser Permanente gives $19 million in grants | The Daily Tell
- October 27, 2009 - Kaiser Permanente approved $19 million in new grants for nonprofit organizations in the third quarter of 2009.The nonprofit healthcare provider said the
- HomeAid Care Day Helps New Life Beginning Maternity Home
- October 27, 2009 - HomeAid Care Day Helps New Life Beginning Maternity Home. More than 20 volunteers recently participated in a HomeAid Care Day at New Life Maternity Home in Lithonia, Ga. During the Care Day, volunteers completed much-needed repairs at the home, which serves homeless pregnant teen girls.
- Column: Sibley steps down at homelessness commission « SaportaReport
- October 28, 2009 - It was back in November 2002 when recently retired King & Spalding LLP attorney Horace Sibley got a call from Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Would Sibley be willing to chair a 90-day study commission on homelessness, the mayor asked.
- Bed bugs bite shelters  | ajc.com
- October 28, 2009 - Atlanta homeless shelters have worked in recent months to rein in infestations of bed bugs.
- More arrests likely in bad check scheme / The Times-Journal
- October 29, 2009 - DeKalb County Major Crime Unit Commander Wade Hill said Thursday more arrests are expected in relation to an alleged fraudulent check-cashing scheme that recently targeted the area.
- Atlanta Kitchen Donates Countertops in College Park Home for Homeless Teenage Mothers
- October 30 2009 - Atlanta Kitchen Donates Countertops in College Park Home for Homeless Teenage Mothers. Atlanta Kitchen, Inc., the Southeast's premium provider of specialty countertops, continues to show their commitment to the Atlanta community as a trade partner with HomeAid Atlanta and Tapestry Youth Ministries.
- Recognize that panhandling, homelessness are not the same  | ajc.com
- November 2, 2009 - The recent article titled "No walking away from panhandling" made little distinction between homelessness and panhandling.
- Homeless to share stories at youth summit  | ajc.com
- November 3, 2009 - Lorne Brooks lives in an upstairs one-bedroom apartment not entirely at peace with his past. Lit only by a small lamp on a coffee table, it is a dark space with little more than a bed, love seat and television.
- Information on stimulus difficult to come by  | ajc.com
- November 10, 2009 - The White House says it has either halted or modified more than 170 projects to ensure federal stimulus dollars are spent wisely, but it won't identify most of them despite repeated requests from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Those In Crisis Find Sister Marie At Their Side
- November 12, 2009 - The Georgia Bulletin: The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
- Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter in foreclosure - again | Fresh Loaf
- November 13, 2009 - Atlanta Creative Loafing Weekly Newspaper, shelter from the mainstream for news, event listings, dining, movies and music.
- Hope for the holidays
- November 17, 2009 - The Coastal Georgia chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Atlanta-based nonprofit Hosea Feed the Hungry join forces this holiday season to help the working poor and homeless in Savannah.
News Posts from Google
Here are the top 4 news posts for "homeless atlanta" generated by Google hourly.
- Artist's Photographs Show Different Representations of Home
- Chambers decided to do several portraits of atypical looking homeless individuals who slept near his church. He discussed his third work, ?Homeless #3,? ...
- Food Network's Paula Deen hit in face with ham while volunteering
- The Food Network chef gets whacked in the face by a ham while volunteering in Atlanta. Deen later laughed about the incident. Paula Deen got whacked in the ...
- Falcons thinking Eco-Green and Eagles' green
- This private event will give homeless, neglected and abused children from the Atlanta area a night of fun, filled with food and games, and a $100 shopping ...
- Atlanta Homeless: Hot Meal, Flu Shot
- Dr. Patrice Harris with the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness tells WSB many homeless people are at high risk for the H1N1 influenza. ...
Blog Posts from Google
Here are the top 4 blog posts on "homeless atlanta" generated by Google hourly.
- Gwinnett CPA Presents Serving the Homeless of Atlanta This ...
- Gwinnett CPA Presents Serving the Homeless of Atlanta This Christmas...Taking Christianity Into the World A quick reminder to everyone. remember last year.
- Atlanta Homeless: Hot Meal, Flu Shot - WSB News on wsbradio.com
- 0 TrackBacks. Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Atlanta Homeless: Hot Meal, Flu Shot. TrackBack URL for this entry: http://wsbradio.com/blogging/mt-tb.cgi/52284 ...
- Atlanta Homeless: Hot Meal, Flu Shot | The Atlanta 10 - Top Ten ...
- Besides a hot meal and a hot shower, those who attend Thursday's Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving dinner at Turner Field can also receive the H1N1 vaccine.
- Serving the Homeless of Atlanta This Christmas…Taking Christianity ...
- Taking Christianity Into the World; Atlanta CPA on Serving the Homeless of Christmas This Christmas?Taking Christianity Into the World; Atlanta CPA on Holiday Service Opportunity: Feeding the Homeless in Atlanta? ...
Top 10 Twitter Posts for #Homeless
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- h0llywo0d
- RT @ellustriousE: @h0llywo0d u right. can we send her some soup and and crackers...you know #homeless type shit lol <-- HOMELESSSS!!!! haha
-
- 1chefdiva
- RT @endhomelessness: Where Do the #Homeless Go When It's Freezing at Night?: http://tinyurl.change.org/xsKcn
-
-
- csinger
- RT @endhomelessness: Where Do the #Homeless Go When It's Freezing at Night?: http://tinyurl.change.org/xsKcn
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- forsakengen
- RT @endhomelessness Where Do the #Homeless Go When It's Freezing at Night?: http://tinyurl.change.org/xsKcn
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- qutequte
- RT @DyingOfCancer: RT @endhomelessness: Where Do the #Homeless Go When It's Freezing at Night?: http://tinyurl.change.org/xsKcn
-
- DyingOfCancer
- RT @endhomelessness: Where Do the #Homeless Go When It's Freezing at Night?: http://tinyurl.change.org/xsKcn
-
- endhomelessness
- Where Do the #Homeless Go When It's Freezing at Night?: http://tinyurl.change.org/xsKcn
-
- DyingOfCancer
- RT @salvationarmy: Angels in the Night event brings warmth to homeless shelters across Canada - http://bit.ly/77F8q9 #homeless
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- MsHeiress
- People who watches my life or other ppls lives for entertainment are really #thirsty , #homeless, and #irrevelent lmao
automatically generated by Twitter
Top 10 Twitter Posts for Homeless Atlanta
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- vermillionblue
- RT @givesmehope Today, my car broke down in the middle of downtown Atlanta. Three homeless guys helped me move the c... http://bit.ly/7M55OD
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- blognew
- Atlanta Homeless: Hot Meal, Flu ShotNews/Talk 750 WSBIt is more important that the tax payers remai... http://reduce.li/a7zzxm #working
-
- emokidsloveme
- @AtlantaJJ Hahaha, you can call it, Atlanta Nailpolish for the Homeless: Bringing OPI to those in need.
-
- SearchIndia
- Hindu Gods Rendered Homeless in Atlanta http://indiablogs.searchindia.com/2009/12/07/hindu-gods-rendered-homeless-in-atlanta/
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- alliswell
- Exporting some pictures I took Saturday for my brother in law downtown Atlanta while they feed the homeless http://twitpic.com/sjr8u
-
- rbarnesdotcom
- My friend Omar is homeless as of 11am and needs $35+ work now. Do you need something cleaned raked cleared or carried in Atlanta?
-
- theonlyja
- @GabrielGrimes For Christmas I will assisting @4hosea in feeding the hungry and homeless at turner field in Atlanta, GA. What are u doing?
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- adriarichards
- yes, there's a Project Homeless Connect Atlanta http://www.atlantahomelessconnect.com
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- pastorjeffg32
- if you are going to passion 2010, don't forget to bring a new towel and a pack of socks for the homeless of atlanta.
-
- CVLILMOMMA
- RT @JohnMajor: Small food & clothing drive for the homeless right here in Atlanta. Pls contact me if interested. Thx. Pls RT
automatically generated by Twitter
Be part of the solution.
Atlanta Homeless Connect
October 25th We need you!
Atlanta Homeless Connect (AHC) is a one day, one stop-shop for the homeless. Scheduled for 10am-3pm Sunday October 25th, AHC will be a community wide, day long event aimed at helping homeless individuals get access to the resources they need to gain self sufficiency. The event will be held in the Georgia State University Sports Arena. 125 Decatur St., S.E. Atlanta, 30303.We need you to volunteer for this event. We need help with set up, serving meals, greeting, registration, clean up, and much more. We are asking volunteers to come as early as 6:00 a.m. and stay as late as 4:00p.m.
If you can join us or if you have any questions please let me know. drew@projectlivelove.com, 404-664-8095
The best resource for help.
United Way 211
If you are in Atlanta and you encounter someone needing assistance or you yourself need assistance dial 211. United Way compiled all of the resources designed to help the homeless of Atlanta into one data base. You can access it by simply dialing 211 from a phone or by visiting 211online. Ways to get involved.
Here are several ways you can get involved in the homeless cause. Please take a look at them and try some. Vote on the ones you think will really help make a difference. If you have any suggestions please offer them as well.
Volunteer at one of the many other organizations designed to help the homeless
2 points
Organize a winter items drive and donate the items to a homeless organization
1 point
Find ways to get involved in preventing homelessness i.e. mentoring a at risk child or help a needy family
1 point
Add links to homeless organizations to your facebook, myspace, and other networks
1 point
Visit local media websites and search for up to date articles concerning homelessness in your area
Check out this link for a list of media in Georgia more...1 point
Contact Georgia's officials about the issue
Check out this www.legis.state.ga.us to find their more...0 points
Do a benefit concert or art show that the proceeds go to a homeless organization
0 points
Featured Organization : August - September 2009
The Gateway Center
The Gateway Center is the centerpiece of the Regional Commission on Homelessness' effort to impact chronic homelessness. The Gateway Center is the point of entry - the gateway - to the community's continuum of care created to help homeless individuals move out of dependency. The Gateway Center will offer homeless individuals an opportunity to disconnect from the issues that contributed to their homelessness by connecting them with the specific services they need to move toward self-sufficiency.The vision for the Gateway Center is to become a place of hope and new beginning, where homeless persons engage the journey that leads them to autonomous living. Ultimately, the vision of the Gateway Center is to help eliminate chronic homelessness in our community.
The learn more visitThe Website.
Other organizations that are making a difference...
- City of Refuge
- Since 1971, City of Refuge has been actively involved in benevolent outreach to the Last, Lost and Least of inner-city Atlanta. We understand the need for programs that span multiple areas of need - from food, clothing, and shelter, to job training, placement, housing, life skills, and transportation. Our goal is to provide the best possible opportunities for success to those who are willing to work hard to change their lives.
- The Gateway Center
- The Gateway Center is the centerpiece of the Regional Commission on Homelessness' effort to impact chronic homelessness. The Gateway Center is the point of entry - the gateway - to the community's continuum of care created to help homeless individuals move out of dependency. The Gateway Center will offer homeless individuals an opportunity to disconnect from the issues that contributed to their homelessness by connecting them with the specific services they need to move toward self-sufficiency.
The vision for the Gateway Center is to become a place of hope and new beginning, where homeless persons engage the journey that leads them to autonomous living. Ultimately, the vision of the Gateway Center is to help eliminate chronic homelessness in our community. - Atlanta Union Mission
- Atlanta Union Mission is a Christian ministry that brings Christ's healing power to any person in crisis through programs of rescue and recovery. The Mission serves as many as 1,070 men, women and children every day of the year with emergency shelter, residential recovery and transitional housing.
- Samaritan House
- Samaritan House of Atlanta transforms lives by helping homeless men and women gain self-sufficiency through personalized employment readiness and life-stabilization programs.
- Atlanta Day Shelter
- Among the programs we offer that help women stabilize their lives are job readiness, job placement, computer training, access to on-site medical care, psychiatric counseling, on-site childcare (while mothers participate in our programs), social security guidance, legal assistance, housing assistance, self-esteem classes, and many other self-improvement workshops. Our Children and Youth Program focuses on nurturing and education and offers parenting classes, as well. In addition, the Atlanta Day Shelter provides a daytime home, showers and laundry facilities, and access to on-site medical care, as well as individual care and attention that helps need women transition from shelter living to self sufficiency.
- Crossroads Community Ministries
- We have our roots in St Luke's Episcopal Church, which began St Luke's Soup Kitchen 35 years ago, but today we are an entirely separate, non-sectarian organization. Crossroads is staffed by ten full and part-time staff and hundreds of volunteers. We are governed by a 18-member Board of Directors and operate on an annual budget of $517,000. Crossroads serves nearly 3,000 homeless people every year, about 30% of them women.
- Families First
- Since its inception, Families First has continually strived to meet the needs of children and families in jeopardy.
In 1890, two African American women, Lucetta Lawson and Sarah Grant, saw young girls living on the streets of Atlanta. The two women responded to the needs of those homeless children by opening the Leonard Street Orphan's Home. As Atlanta grew, so did the needs of children and families. Florence Crittenton Home was created for unwed mothers. Associated Charities, the Atlanta Child's Home, and the Child Welfare Association were also developed to assist children and families. It was from the strategic alliance of all of these organizations that Families First emerged. - Georgia Law Center For The Homeless
- The Georgia Law Center for the Homeless provides representation for homeless people in administrative and judicial proceedings of a civil nature, with attorneys and paralegals. The Law Center performs significant community outreach to make its services available by visiting homeless shelters, transitional housing, and community kitchens on a regular basis.
The Law Center's mission is to provide free, quality civil legal services to homeless people and to play a leadership role in addressing the issues underlying homelessness. - Love Thy Neighbor
- Love Thy Neighbor In Service, Inc is a charitable, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization endeavoring to help the homeless in downtown Atlanta. At the core of its mission is to spread the Love of Jesus Christ in such a way as to make a difference in the lives of homeless men & women. It is through His Love that lives, once set adrift, can find true purpose and become productive souls.
- St. Joseph's Mercy Care
- Mercy Care Services was created in 1985 by volunteer nurses and physicians and grew from modest beginnings into a medical home; that provides an efficient, integrated system of primary health care, education and social services reaching thousands of persons in need throughout Atlanta each year.
- Atlanta Children's Shelter
- Your day begins early - the night shelter where you and your mother are staying wakes you up, feeds you breakfast - then you are out the door, carrying all that your family owns. Perhaps your mother has found a part-time job, but can't afford childcare. You are scared to death when she goes off to work, for there's no place to go. There's little money for food, no place to wash your hands, no clean clothes. You spend your day wandering the streets until one of the night shelters opens again. If there is room, you and your mom will have a place to sleep one more night.
It is no wonder that homeless children are seriously at risk for an array of physical and emotional problems. The Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless estimates that there are 13,000 homeless people in metro Atlanta, 25% of which are homeless families - and they especially need the services of shelters. - Covenant House Georgia
- We who recognize God's providence and fidelity to his people are dedicated to living out his covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love. That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in his humanity is the visible sign of God's presence among his people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.
- Hosea Feed The Hungry
- To rescue, restore and re-stabilize at-risk and homeless individuals and families so they can thrive and become self-sufficient.
- Stand Up For Kids
- The mission of STANDUP FOR KIDS is to help homeless and street kids.
We do this, every day, in cities across America. We carry out our mission through our volunteers who go to the streets in order to find, stabilize and otherwise help homeless and street kids improve their lives. - Interfaith Outreach Home
- Interfaith Outreach Home (IOH) helps families with children recover from an episode of homelessness and return to self-sufficiency. The IOH transitional housing program provides a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to homeless families who want to return to, and are capable of returning to, financial independence and self-sufficiency. IOH serves two-parent, legally married couples and single heads of households.
- Trinity Community Ministries
- As Christmas is quickly approaching, Trinity Table remains committed to bringing the true spirit of the season to all who come through our doors. Thanks to Toys-for-Tots, we have appropriate gifts for our visitors under the age of 12. Sadly though, the gift shelves for everyone else are remaining very sparse.
Your donations keep our missions alive, and I know you will continue to do your best to help us reach our goal. Thank you in advance, and may God continue to bless you as much as you bless TCM and all those we serve by your continued commitment! - safe house atlanta
- SafeHouse Outreach is an urban outreach committed to affecting real change in the lives of those in the margins of society, by providing a hand up, not just a hand out.
SafeHouse provides practical, emotional, and physical assistance to those living in the margins, and help integrate them back into society ? to lead healthy, functional lives.
Please Come Back!
Bookmark this site and check back from time to time to see what new information and resources have been posted.
More good information.
Rick
As soon as we stepped inside and the doors slam behind us it was complete darkness. Rick told us to get out our cell phones and use them as flashlights. He led us to the stairs and we climbed up. Light began to creep in the higher we went. We followed the light to a door. We crossed the threshold and what we saw next changed our perspective in a unique way.
Rick is a good friend of mine that is living homeless in downtown Atlanta. Last week Jared and I had some time before a Project Live Love meeting and decided to visit with some friends. As soon as we parked and started up the street we bumped into Rick. I knew from previous conversations that Rick was living in an abandoned hotel. I asked if he would be willing to take Jared and I on a tour of the building. Once we finished recording the tour, I asked Rick to share some of his story on camera.
I invite you to watch this seven and a half minute video of what Rick had to say. Go behind the doors and see what it is like living homeless in downtown Atlanta.
Rick is a good friend of mine that is living homeless in downtown Atlanta. Last week Jared and I had some time before a Project Live Love meeting and decided to visit with some friends. As soon as we parked and started up the street we bumped into Rick. I knew from previous conversations that Rick was living in an abandoned hotel. I asked if he would be willing to take Jared and I on a tour of the building. Once we finished recording the tour, I asked Rick to share some of his story on camera.
I invite you to watch this seven and a half minute video of what Rick had to say. Go behind the doors and see what it is like living homeless in downtown Atlanta.
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Charles And Marcus
Charles and Marcus lived under an overpass off I-20. They were huddled by a bucket campfire when I drove up. I pulled over and got out to go meet them. After talking for a few minutes, I asked if they would be willing to share some of their story on camera.
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Steve
This is where my friend Steve and a few others stayed in these abandoned apartments in downtown Atlanta.
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Good News!
Thanks to SafeHouse Outreach and the Regional Commison on Homelessness...
...this gentleman got to move out from under the bridge where he had been staying and into an apartment.
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Hassan Arshad's Photo Work
About a month ago a friend of mine asked if he could follow me around with his camera to see what we might come up with. Hassan hopes to one day pursue a career in photo journalism and thought following me around would be a great way to learn. When he got done with the photos he recorded an interview with me and then spliced it all together to create a really cool piece of work.
Below are just a few photos. To view the entire project click here.
Below are just a few photos. To view the entire project click here.
Lauren Ward Hammonds' Photo Work
Below are some photos from a walk I lead in September of 2009. Lauren Hammonds was on the walk and took these photos. I hope you enjoy her work.
Flickr Photos
A dynamic display of photos concerning homelessness
Looked Down on In Re...
Looking and Walking
Don't just walk by.....
Homeless
Rewards
Sleeping arrangement...
P1200181
P1200178c
P1200184
Hobo 11-28-09 -- IMG...
In Memory Homeless P...
Homeless Man with Tw...
automatically generated by Flickr
A good story of a beautiful relationship.
Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
Amazon Price: $9.47 (as of 12/07/2009)
Come On People
This book gives a great understanding of the issues African American men and women are dealing with in today's culture.
Come On People: On the Path from Victims to Victors
Amazon Price: $7.62 (as of 12/07/2009)
Amazon Search
Books about "Homlessness"
Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America
Amazon Price: $8.63 (as of 12/07/2009)
Criminal of Poverty: Growing Up Homeless in America
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 12/07/2009)
Breakfast at Sally's: One Homeless Man's Inspirational Journey
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/07/2009)
The Pursuit of Happyness
Amazon Price: $10.79 (as of 12/07/2009)
DVD's about "Homelessness"
The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 12/07/2009)
Homeless In America
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/07/2009)
ABC News 20/20 Homeless to Harvard
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/07/2009)
Additional helpful links
- The National Coalition for the Homeless
- The National Coalition for the Homeless, founded in 1982, is a national network of people who are currently...
- Homeless Resource Network
- We are people committed to developing and implementing a community based response to homelessness...
- National Alliance to End Homlessness
- The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, mission-driven organization committed...
- Georgia Coalition to End Homlessness
- The Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness envisions a humane end to homelessness in the state...
- Picture the Homeless | Don't talk about us; Talk with us
- Organizing for justice and respect...
Homeless Blogs
- End Homelessness - Change.org
- Shannon traces her passion for the issue of homelessness back to the summer she worked in the...
- LA's Homeless Blog
- AN INSIDE PERSPECTIVE ON HOMELESSNESS
- The Homeless Guy
- THERE IS MORE TO HOMELESS PEOPLE THAN BEING HOMELESS. WE NO LONGER NEED...
- Invisible People
- Invisible people...
- Picture the Homeless Blog
- Links & Blogs Picture the Homeless Main SitePicture the Homeless YouTube ChannelPicture the Homeless Photostream...
- New World Odor
- Breath Spray For a Planet in Decay
My Blog: Learning To Live Love
This is where is share my journey of learning to live love. Some of my thoughts here concern homelessness while others are just highlighting and act of love.
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Follow me on Twitter
- drewbenton
- aka drewbenton
- 242 followers
- 103 following
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- Great meeting with @witharmshigh... Now off to get tattooed
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- Leaving downtown... It has been a great day of hanging with my homeless friends.
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- @stephenhunton gotta love Nashville... I am excited you are hanging with us before you get out of town.
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- @johnny418 wanna hang this week?
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- Headed off to speak for a company luncheon... Then off to hang with my friend @codydeese
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Guestbook
Please feel free to offer your feedback on my lens. Also, please share any knowledge you may have on this subject as well. Please include any links you may have. You can also send me an e-mail at info@homelessatlanta.com
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- geothermalminnie geothermalminnie Sep 18, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
- It's scary to think how close many of us are to a life on the streets.
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- GrowWear GrowWear Sep 2, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
- Thank you for being so caring and understanding of the homeless.
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Reply
- qlcoach qlcoach Jun 19, 2009 @ 10:05 am
- Great job with this lens. I worked with homeless veterans through the VA system. I am now retired. I know the work you do is challenging and rewarding. Hang in there. I rated your lens 5 stars. Met you on Isle of Squid. Hope you will visit my new lens about emotional healing. Gary Eby, author and therapist.
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- Dave Dave Apr 29, 2009 @ 11:39 am
- Great lens Drew. Proud of you bro.
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Reply
- lollyj lollyj Apr 25, 2009 @ 8:38 am
- Excellent lens and info. Very well done. 5- fave - lensroll.
- Load More
by drewbenton
Hello Friends, I have had the pleasure of serving the beautiful men and women of downtown since June of 2006. I currently work for SafeHouse Outreach... (more)
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