Exemplary Social Service Agencies in Metro Atlanta

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Atlanta Metropolitan area has a population of well over 5 million people. Unfortunately, a great many of those people live in relative poverty (http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.xls). Lindy Wood of the Atlanta Community Food Bank has stated that the City of Atlanta currently has the eighth highest percentage of people living below the federal poverty line (http://www.atlantaprosperity.org/marketing/materials/Poverty_in_Atlanta_and_US.pdf).

A short while ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer for an agency that provided social service resources and referrals to residents of the metro area. Because of that experience, I gained a lot of knowledge about organizations that provide vital services to needy Atlanta area residents. I would like to share some of this information with anyone who may be interested in supporting or utilizing some of these services...so, without further delay, here we go:

Samaritan House of Atlanta, Inc.
458 Edgewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30312
404.523.1239 (Client Number)
http://www.samhouse.org/

Samaritan House of Atlanta offers a myriad of innovative programs designed to get homeless individuals back into the vein of mainstream society. According to the agency's website their programs include:

Individual case management and employment counseling
Access to transitional housing
Hands-on work experience
Life skills and employment training classes
Assistance with gaining full-time employment (including help creating a résumé and conducting job searches, basic computer training, clothing for
interviews, and MARTA cards to get to and from job interviews)
Daily morning breakfast
Use of laundry and storage facilities
A free Community Voice Mail number to enable participants to keep in contact with employers, case managers, and family
Support and assistance in gaining permanent housing.

Perhaps their most unique program is Café 458. Café 458 is an upscale weekend brunch prepared by world renowned chef Johnathan Metellus. All of the services for this brunch are volunteered and 100% of the proceeds go to finance the aforementioned programs that Samaritan House provides to the needy of the community. Café 458 was recently featured on TBS' Dinner and a Makeover where it was given an updated look, you may view photos of their new look here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafe458atl/sets/72157604850547489/
If you are as impressed by Samaritan House as I am, please show your support for all that they do by donating time, money, or anything else you may have to give. Contact Alison Smith at Volunteer@samhouse.org or call 404.446-4680.

Genesis Shelter, Inc.
173 Boulevard, NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
404.522.6056 extension 236 (Client Number)
http://www.genesisshelter.com/

Genesis Shelter is a transitional housing program for families who have at least one child 10 years of age and below. The program places an emphasis on families with newborn children who have no secure place to call home. Genesis will provide apartment-style living, three healthy meals a day, medical attention, and case management to encourage and teach skills of independent living. A family's minimum stay is nine months and maximum stay is one year. During their stay, families must be willing to attend regular educational and support programs and they must commit to work toward the betterment of their future.

Homeless families are becoming a rapidly growing segment of the homeless population. The Genesis Shelter is committed to reducing the immediate crisis of homelessness for families in the Atlanta metropolitan area. In order to get involved with the Genesis Shelter please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Tracy Alladice at (404) 522-6056.

Families First, Inc.
1105 W. Peachtree St., NE
Atlanta, GA 30357
404.853.2844
http://www.familiesfirst.org

Families First is a social service agency that specializes in counseling, family support, education, community building, and advocacy. The agency is dedicated to responding to the needs of families in crisis. They operate on a sliding scale fee for individuals without insurance or who have PPO insurance, and a straight fee for those with HMO coverage.

As a staunch advocate for children and families, Families First's purpose is to study conditions that adversely affect the social well-being of families and children, and ensure the voices of those that are in need are heard throughout our federal, state and local entities. Some of the many services that Families First offers include the following:

Counseling
Adoption Services
Foster Care Services
Services for Homeless Families
Parenting Groups
Parenting Skills & Education Classes
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

There are literally hundreds of worthwhile social service agencies in the Atlanta area. These three just seem to stand out to me personally. If you are interested in learning more about philanthropic organizations in the metro Atlanta area, the two best central places for referrals would be the United Way & the Task Force for The Homeless. The United Way can be reached by simply dialing 211, and the Task Force for The Homeless can be reached by dialing toll-free 1.800.448.0636. Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and I hope that this information will be put to good use by or for someone.