Creative Volunteering Check out some amazing volunteers and the work they’ve given to the shelter. Page 2
Learn: Know and Respond The 2012 Point-In-Time homeless count was last month. Check out Page 3 to see the results and learn what you can do to help. Page 3
Fundraising Fun: Harvest for the Homeless Check out our raffle winner and silent auction tables! Page 4
Volunteer Our weekly and monthly dinner and child care volunteers are an integral part of our program. Without your contributions of time and service, we would not be able to serve families in need. To become a volunteer, email volunteer@ helpathenshomeless.
Your donations have a direct and positive impact on the lives of children in the shelter, like this five-year-old who enjoys drawing pictures for our staff. Her mother, like others at the shelter, is working their way toward successful independence.
Starting to feel a lot like home
Dear friends and family of AAHS,
A solid six months in and both the shelter and Athens are truly beginning to feel like home to me. I love it here, from the friendly and genuine community to the crazy adorable kiddos running around the shelter and tempting me from my office! Both AAHS and Athens are uniquely wonderful communities, and I am so grateful to be a part of things. There have been some big changes here at AAHS since I arrived! We’ve
revamped our employment program, which is open to all homeless individuals in Athens, and we are providing truly comprehensive employment assistance. We have a wonderful staff member, Greg Purser, implementing this program, and he’s doing such wonderful work that we might be forced to begin a waiting list for services! In the shelter, we were able to raise enough money (thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the Athens community) to send a deserving See LETTER on Page 2
Spring 2012
www.helpathenshomeless.org
Letter
young resident to an invitation-only leadership conference. She’s there as I type, and I’m sure having a life changing experience. And I have had the opportunity to speak at numerous churches, and am continually touched by the generosity and open spirit of attendees.
Elephant Ocean, a sustainable art organization in Athens, has provided AAHS with this mural on the side of our old shed. This mural and the space in front of it have been turned into a green space and garden just in time for warm weather! Thanks so much to Junk-South Junk Removal for providing the labor and supplies to create this family friendly space!
Wish List • • • •
30 gallon trash bags Size 5 diapers High efficiency laundry detergent General cleaning supplies
We also, through amazing assistance from First Baptist Church, JunkSouth, Elephant Ocean Sustainable Art and individual volunteers in the community, have managed to give the shelter a total makeover in the past two months! We’ve painted, planted, cleared, cleaned, refurnished, repaired, sweated and smiled over it! The results? A comfortable and cozy new living area for residents, freshly painted rooms, and a beautiful new garden complete with inspiring mural. Finally, our vegetable gardens, founded by Midge Leventry, are gearing up for a fruitful season. Midge has recently handed the reins to PLACE; we’ll miss seeing Midge around the shelter and are grateful to PLACE for taking over. AAHS has never been just a building to house people; it is a home to families without one of their own. The longer that I am here, the more I realize this simple fact. All of us here send a most sincere thank you to everyone who has contributed. Without the very honest culture of caring here in Athens, we would not be able to provide this home away from home to those in need. Sincerely, Shea Post Executive Director
Spring 2012
www.helpathenshomeless.org
Learn The 2012 Athens-Clarke County Point-In-Time count of homeless individuals revealed that there are 367 people in the community that are classified as experiencing homelessness on the night of the count.
A shelter makeover!
Over the last three months, AAHS has seen some major improvements. With the support of First Baptist Church of Athens and many volunteer groups, the common area, hallways, two offices, two resident rooms and three bathrooms have been painted. Our common
area has received new couches, rugs, lamps and pillows, and our staff recently spent a Saturday reflooring one of the resident rooms.
We’re so excited that the shelter has been spruced up! It’s beginning to look - and feel - a lot like home here.
Become a Shelter Provider
Over the course of a year, what can $25 per month do? • Provide one month of childcare for a homeless infant • Provide five months of transportation for a homeless job seeker • Provide three months of diapers for a sheltered child
How to Become a Shelter Provider
Visit helpathenshomeless.org to become a Shelter Provider through PayPal or contact your bank to have a direct deposit sent to us each month. Shelter Providers who donate $25 or more per month receive two tickets to Harvest for the Homeless, our annual fall fund raiser, and two tickets to the Stadion Classic at UGA golf tournament.
AAHS works with the homeless to reduce their barriers for stable housing and self-sufficiency. Learn more about our services at helpathenshomeless.org/ learn.
So far in 2012, AAHS has provided shelter to 10 moms and 21 children. Moms can stay at the transitional shelter for up to two years while they work, save money and prepare to move into permanent housing. The JobTREC program has provided case management and work-ready services to 45 homeless individuals in Athens-Clarke County since the beginning of 2012.
Go Green! Sign up online to receive our newsletter by email.
Spring 2012
Special thanks
The Athens Area Homeless Shelter is most appreciative of the generosity of Athens Printing Company. For more than 25 years, Athens Printing Company has provided a complete range of printing and publishing services for the area and been a dedicated supporter of local non-profits.
Thank you to our in-kind donors! American Pest Control, Sentry Self Storage, Handy Andy Home Repair, Southern Distinction, Jackson Spalding, Athens Technology Partners, Stanfield Air, William Hurt, JunkSouth Junk Removal, St. Joseph’s Catholic School and First Baptist Church of Athens
Athens Area Homeless Shelter 620 Barber Street Athens, GA 30601
www.helpathenshomeless.org
Our Shelter Providers JoBeth Allen, Darnell Arford, Athens Parent, Inc., Hortense Bates, Upshaw Bentley, Tamara Bowman, Anne Brightwelle, Elizabeth Bryant, Samanta Carvalho, E. Scott Coulter, Larry B. Dendy, Andrea Dennis, Emily Carr and Dale Hoyt, Paul Heald, John E. Hocking, Thomas P. Holland, Hue and Carole Henry, Joel Siebentritt and Carter Vest, Patrick and Stephanie Jones, James and Nancy Kissane, Eric Loffland, Richard Martin, Bryan and Alison McCullick, Julia A. Nathanson, Michael Odom, Paula J. Schwanenflugel and William B Whitman, Maxine J. Beaks, Enrique Pineda, Kathy Prescott, Lucy W. Rainey, Jeffrey Rattray, William and Susan Reese, Martha Schimmel, Catherine and Allen Syemour, Smalley, Brad and Jane Smith, Alice Vernon, Eleanor Walker, Trixie Ware, Jennifer and John Wares, Natalie Wellman, Juergen Wiegel, Will and Tommie Farmer
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #530 ATHENS, GA 30601
The Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Inc. (AAHS) is a 501c3 non-profit organization serving homeless individuals and families in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. Our mission is to provide collaborative, comprehensive services to homeless individuals and families working toward sustainable independence.