Northeast Georgia Homeless Coalition

September meeting

2011-08-16T15:20:00.001-04:00

The next Northeast Georgia Homeless Coalition meeting will be:

Thursday, September 8th

Noon

DFCS, Training Room A

We will be discussing holiday gift programs.

July meeting

2011-06-15T17:27:00.003-04:00

The next meeting of the Northeast Georgia Homeless Coalition will be:

Thursday, July 14th

Noon

DFCS, Training Room A

Project Homeless Connect

2011-03-10T16:28:00.002-05:00

Thursday, April 7th

Athens First United Methodist, Hancock Hall

Setup: 11:30am

Doors open: 1pm

Athens Project Homeless Connect will provide a one-day, one-stop event designed to provide housing, services, and hospitality in a convenient one-stop model directly to people experiencing homelessness.

January meeting postponed

2011-01-18T10:59:00.003-05:00

Due to the snow and closures, the January meeting was postponed until February 10th at Noon.

DFCS, Training Room B

284 North Avenue

Athens

January meeting

2011-01-05T12:54:00.001-05:00

Thursday, January 13th

Noon @ DFCS

Anchorage using stimulus funds to fight homelessness

2009-05-21T08:47:00.000-04:00

Officials say the homeless problem in Anchorage is big and growing and they are directing $775,000 in federal stimulus money to do something about it. The city is hiring a full-time coordinator to address homelessness, and four private agencies are getting funding to hire a worker each, acting Mayor Matt Claman announced on Wednesday.

from McClatchy

audio conference

2009-04-13T11:26:00.000-04:00

Using HPRP to Transform Your Homelessness System
April 16 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm ET

HPRP Audio Conferences

The National Alliance to End Homelessness and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty have launched a series of audio conferences around the $1.5 billion Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), which can fund prevention, diversion, and re-housing activities. Watch this page for details on future calls, and look below to download recordings of previous calls in this series.

Effort to help homeless serves a troubling number

2009-04-05T08:49:00.000-04:00

It was a sign of the times Friday afternoon when dozens of homeless Northeast Georgia residents lined up around the block at a downtown Athens church, waiting for a chance to grab some free clothes, get a lead on a job or find a place to live.
Project Homeless Connect, an annual social services fair organized by the Athens-Clarke County government, was busier than ever.

By 3 p.m., an hour after the fair started, more than 200 people had already walked through the doors of First United Methodist Church, compared to 140 last year, said Julie Meehan, executive director of Northeast Georgia Community Connection.

entire article from Banner Herald

Economy limits homeless shelter

2009-03-31T08:01:00.000-04:00

As the recession looms over much of the country, many Athens residents are feeling the pinch through job losses and home foreclosures. As a result, some Athens homeless shelters are struggling to accommodate new entries.

"We are primarily a shelter for families and try to provide them with a transitional housing space for up to two years, in hopes of getting them back on their feet again. But we have limited space, and unfortunately right now we have a long waiting list," said Alison Spiers, a University graduate and executive director of the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

full article from Red & Black

Community for Creative Non-Violence

2009-03-30T15:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Community for Creative Non-Violence's (CCNV).

CCNV is a model shelter with a bed capacity of 1,350 for homeless men, women and children. It is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., just a few blocks from the Capitol.

CCNV, a nonprofit organization, has been serving the homeless community for more than thirty years.

CCNV's Mission is to ensure that the rights of the homeless and poor are not infringed upon and that every person has access to life's basic essentials -- food, shelter, clothing and medical care. CCNV is also committed to protecting the rights of the homeless, advocating on behalf of the underserved, and preparing homeless men and woman to re-enter into mainstream society as skilled and productive citizens.

hat tip to Nick and Rachel from Alternative Spring Break

SUMMER JOB FAIR

2009-03-30T15:31:00.000-04:00

Friday, April 3rd
1pm - 4pm
The Ramsey Student Center - Volleyball Courts
Go to http://www.career.uga.edu to see a list of participating employers.
*Resumes are recommended

Need a summer job? Employers from Atlanta and Athens will be in attendance looking for part-time or temporary full-time workers. This is the last UGA Career Center
sponsored job fair of the semester. Don't miss this opportunity to meet employers who are actually hiring right now!

For more info.
Brandy (706) 354-0423

Cities Deal With a Surge in Shantytowns

2009-03-26T16:36:00.000-04:00

Like a dozen or so other cities across the nation, Fresno is dealing with an unhappy déjà vu: the arrival of modern-day Hoovervilles, illegal encampments of homeless people that are reminiscent, on a far smaller scale, of Depression-era shantytowns. At his news conference on Tuesday night, President Obama was asked directly about the tent cities and responded by saying that it was “not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours.”

While encampments and street living have always been a part of the landscape in big cities like Los Angeles and New York, these new tent cities have taken root — or grown from smaller enclaves of the homeless as more people lose jobs and housing — in such disparate places as Nashville, Olympia, Wash., and St. Petersburg, Fla.

entire article from NY Times

Fox 5 news story on Homeless in Athens

2009-03-23T07:31:00.002-04:00

ATHENS Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - While Fulton County has the highest homeless numbers in the state, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Athens-Clarke Counties trail behind it.

A busy road in Athens leads to a trail which leads to a tent city.

"It seems to be smaller in size than it has been," said Paul Lazzari of the homeless advocacy group, the Stable Foundation.

video link and entire story

crossposted at TheStableFoundation.org

Where God Left His Shoes

2009-03-22T11:56:00.000-04:00

Benefit at Cine - Thursday March 26th
for Athens Area Homeless Shelter

Please join us this Thursday, March 26th for a special screening of “Where God Left His Shoes” at Cine in downtown Athens. It will be shown at 4:30 and at 7:00, with a reception from 5:00 until 7:00 held in between the two screenings. The reception will feature complimentary appetizers donated by The National.

The movie is about a family that is evicted from their New York City apartment, and they have no choice but to move into a homeless shelter. After a few months, good news comes their way: a nearby housing project has an apartment available immediately - however, one of the parents must have a job on the books in order to qualify. It is the story of a family that refuses to break apart during the darkest time of their lives and discovers that they will survive as long as they have each other.

As our shelter serves homeless families here in Athens, this movie is relevant to our mission and highlights many of the difficulties our residents face. The movie is not a documentary, but rather is a film written, produced, and directed by Salvatore Stabile and was the winner of the Humanitas Prize for Best Feature Film at the Sundance Film Festival. Proceeds from the screening will benefit the Athens Area Homeless Shelter. We hope that you will be able to join us for this special event.

For additional info contact Allison.

2009-03-16T09:50:00.000-04:00

6 Tent Cities Making a Difference

2009-03-04T14:44:00.000-05:00

2. The Tent City That’s Becoming an Eye Sore (Athens, GA)The Tent City in East Athens is growing so rapidly that earlier this year police had to ask its residents to move back into the woods and away from a road where passers-by could see them. Sitting on a plot of private land, the Athens encampment is over a decade and a half old according to “Radar,” a 39-year-old resident who wasn’t happy about being asked to move. “Tent City has been here for 17 years, and all of a sudden we’re in everyone’s sight?” The number of residents in Athens’ Tent City has fluctuated between the mid-single digits to as many as 30. A few months ago, a visitor found about eight people living there, one of whom voted.

entire link...

Prevention and Re-Housing Resources

2009-02-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

Congress is considering an economic recovery package that includes $1.5 billion for homelessness prevention and re-housing. It is likely that this program will be passed into law, and HUD plans to implement it very quickly. Funding for these programs would be provided through the same formula as HUD's Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) program, but could only be used for prevention and rehousing.

see more

source: National Alliance to End Homelessness

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

2009-01-28T17:33:00.001-05:00

The Hancock Community Development Corporation (HCDC) is offering Free Tax Preparation Assistance through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. All taxes will be prepared at HCDC, 300 Henderson Ext., Athens.

Please share this information with your staff/employees and other organizations/businesses or individuals that will benefit from this service. Please see the below email and attachment for HCDC's contact information or call 706-546-1154. If no one is available, please leave a message. Tax preparation hours will be Mondays 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 12:00 - 4 p.m.

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $42,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.
Items you need to bring to the VITA/TCE Sites to have your tax returns prepared
Proof of identification
Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
Current year's tax package if you received one
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
A copy of last year's Federal and State returns if available
Bank Routing Numbers and Account Numbers for Direct Deposit
Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html
For more information 706-546-1154

Athens Land Trust ribbon cutting and open house

2009-01-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

The Athens Land Trust cordially invites you to a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, January 30. The Smith family will cut the ribbon for their new home at 4:00 p.m. at 820 Waddell Street.

We will then move to the open house around the corner at 124 Dallas Street, where we will be showing off the green features that earned the houses their EarthCraft certification. Light refreshments will be served.

Directions: From Broad Street, turn South onto Rocksprings Street take first right onto Waddell Street. Parking will be in the lot in the first block on your left and 820 Waddell will be the blue house across the street.

Heather Benham
Housing Director

Athens Land Trust, Inc.
2109 W. Broad Street
Athens, GA 30606-3545

Telephone: 706.613.0122

$17M Available for 130 Drug Free Communities Awards

2009-01-15T11:23:00.000-05:00

Agency: Health & Human Services Dept. (HHS), Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Admin. (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)

Program: Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program (Funding Opportunity Number: SP-09-002) (CFDA Number: 93.276); Eligibility: Community-based coalitions; Funding: $17 million is available for 130 awards up to $125,000 each; Deadline: March 20.

more...

Athens Area Community Foundation to Award $25,000 in Grants, Requests Proposals from Local Nonprofits

2009-01-07T07:23:00.001-05:00

Athens, Ga. -- The Athens Area Community Foundation (AACF) is launching its first grant cycle with a request for proposals from local nonprofits. AACF, an initiative of OneAthens, aims to distribute $25,000 of its discretionary funds in April 2009. Grants will average between $1,000 and $5,000 each.

"As stewards of community resources, we will be looking for creative approaches that get results," says Judge Steve C. Jones, AACF Board Chair. Eligible projects generally fall within the areas of education; economic and workforce development; affordable housing; health care; transportation; human services; art and cultural activities; environmental initiatives and building community.

AACF will give higher priority to proposals that address poverty, promote community engagement, focus on prevention, promote personal achievement, attract volunteers, strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit sector, and encourage collaboration amongst organizations. The Foundation will not provide grants to individuals.

AACF requires applicants to be tax-exempt according to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor. Applications are due March 2, 2009 and awards will be announced at the end of April. To find application forms or more about AACF, visit www.athensareacf.org

The Athens Area Community Foundation strives to turn donors' charitable goals into permanent legacies; invest in our community through strategic grantmaking; and lead our community to a better future.

AACF is an affiliate of the North Georgia Community Foundation and a member of the Southeastern Council of Foundations and the Council on Foundations.

___

Contact: Delene Porter (706) 542-7044, dporter@athensareacf.org

Alliance Sends Letter to Obama

2008-12-16T15:20:00.000-05:00

AUTHOR: NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS
On December 16, the Alliance sent a letter to President-elect Obama urging him to adopt specific goals for ending homelessness. In January, the new Administration and Congress will take office, providing advocates with a great opportunity to help shape a national agenda that prioritizes ending homelessness. With many communities facing budget deficits and a growing number of households suffering from the nation’s economic and financial crisis, federal attention to housing solutions is more critical than ever before. In the letter, the Alliance asked the incoming Obama Administration to adopt specific goals for ending homelessness, including ending veterans homelessness; ensuring that every child has a home; finishing the job of ending chronic homelessness; and getting homeless youth off the streets and into housing. In addition, the Alliance made recommendations for funding to include in an economic stimulus package to ensure that the housing and financial crisis does not result in increased homelessness.

World AIDS Day 2008 Events

2008-11-18T16:52:00.000-05:00

Candlelight Service and Quiet Reflection
December 1, 2008 from 7-8pm
Student Presbyterian Center - 1250 S. Lumpkin St Athens
Hosted by: UGA Student Health Center
For anyone who wishes to light a candle in remembrance, say a few words or show support of those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

World AIDS Day Annual Film Festival
December 1, 2008
Cine – 234 W. Hancock Ave.
Matinee Showing 4-6p.m. (Students $5 w/ ID)
Evening Showing 8:30 – 10:30p.m. (Regular Ticket Price Only)
Tickets $15
Hosted by: AIDS Athens, Cine and Athens Banner-Herald
This is the first HIV/AIDS film festival held in Athens, GA. The Film Festival showcases international and local documentary and short-films on HIV/AIDS to build awareness and understanding of the disease. It highlights people living with HIV, their challenges and victories, vaccine research, prevention and activism throughout the globe.

HIV/AIDS Expert Panel
December 2, 2008 7p.m.
Student Learning Center
Hosted by: AIDS Walk and Run Athens, Inc.
Come listen, increase your knowledge and ask questions to a panel of HIV/AIDS experts.

Underneath the Covers – Annual Benefit Concert
December 5, 2008
Cine – 234 W. Hancock Ave.
Hosted by: MAC, Boybutante AIDS Foundation and Cine
A benefit concert for the MAC AIDS Fund, the Boybutante AIDS Foundation and AIDS Athens. Concert featuring We Vs. THE SHARK performing covers of NIRVANA and more. For more information, go to www.athenscine.com or www.boybutante.org.

Athens First United Methodist Church: Souper Suppers, Mobile Food Pantry and Christmas Meal

2008-11-18T16:46:00.000-05:00

Souper Suppers
On cold winter evenings, we welcome our downtown neighbors into our church home for a warm meal served every Thursday evening from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Souper Suppers will begin December 4 and continue through February. Volunteers are needed to plan, cook, and serve a meal. An informational training session will be given on Monday, November 24, at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 11, at 12:15 p.m. in the kitchen. Attending one of these sessions is required for all groups participating in Souper Suppers. Please contact Carol Rymer at the church office for more information and to sign up! Any Thursday between Dec. 4 and Feb. 26 is currently available!

Mobile Food Pantry
December 20: The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia brings over 10,000 pounds of food for us to distribute to the needy in our community. Set-up begins at 8:30 am and distribution begins at 9:30 am. We usually finish by 11:30am. Contact Jon Mills if you have any questions:.

Community Christmas Meal
The Community Christmas Meal will be Sunday, Dec. 21 from 12:15 – 1:30 pm in Hancock Hall. Volunteers are needed to plan, prepare and donate food for this meal that we share with our downtown community each year.

Athens PBJ

2008-11-14T07:28:00.000-05:00

Athens PBJ is a mobile community that desires to bridge the gap between people from all different backgrounds through using food as an excuse to build relationships. Come join us on the streets to take action and learn more about yourself than you could ever imagine.

5PM Friday: outside The Grill
2PM Sunday: outside The Grill

For more information email Jonathan.

Legislative Alert

2008-11-14T07:19:00.000-05:00

Congress will be in Washington for a lame duck session the week of November 17. The Coalition On Human Needs has issued an urgent request to contact our members of congress through an email project @ salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/125/campaign.jsp

Congress, thus far, has responded to the economic downturn by committing resources to financial institutions whose practices are at the heart of the current crisis. Now Members of Congress must act to reduce the enormous burden low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Please use the form below to send your Representative and Senators an email urging them to support an economic recovery package that helps rebuild the economy by providing various forms of assistance to low-income individuals and aid to states to avoid any further losses.

Background: In a recent web cast, sponsored by numerous national organizations, the current economic crisis was outlined along with a plan for realistic economic recovery that addresses the needs of those who are struggling in the U.S.

• 800,000 jobless people exhausted their unemployment benefits on October 5;
• Approximately 1.1 million will have lost unemployment benefits through December.
• Unemployment claims: more than 480,000/week for 3 weeks ending Oct. 18.
• Food prices are through the roof
• People seeking emergency food up 20%.

We've worked together and we've made some progress... I.E.:

• Extension of unemployment insurance benefits
• Increase in Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Improving the Child Tax Credit to help 13 million children
• Increase in Food Stamp benefits
Now we're working on “The Shared Recovery Package.” The package is a a set of proposals necessary to ensure that economic recovery includes low‐income and vulnerable people. The price of the package would be $90 billion

Provides Income to Families in Need

Nutrition assistance:
• Food Stamps (SNAP): $10 billion
• WIC, Commodity Supplemental Food Program
• Unemployment Insurance:$6 billion
• Child Support:$1.1b
• Prevents State Cuts
• More federal dollars for Medicaid ($30b‐$35b)
and much more

[The report, Towards Shared Recovery, with recommendations for $90 billion in job creation, nutrition assistance, unemployment benefits, state aid, and many other services effectively targeted to boost the economy while alleviating hardships for low-income people.
The web cast in it's entirety can be found at:

http://chn.impactlearning.org/c/chn/interface.htm

If you have questions, call or email Lynne, Advocacy Committee Chair
706-351-2799.

Resettlement Assistance

2008-11-10T17:14:00.001-05:00

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems Homeless Day Service Center -

ABHS Homeless Day Service Center has Resettlement Assistance funds available. These funds can pay for a security deposit and first month’s rent on an apartment, generally capped at $800. (The amount may be greater based upon client need and amount of funds available.) The funds are intended to be a one-time grant.

To be eligible for Resettlement funds, a client must:
-Meet the HUD definition of homelessness
-Have income (Social Security, employment, etc.) sufficient to support himself/herself in housing. HDSC uses HUD’s Standard of Affordable Rent (i.e. a person’s rent = 1/3 of monthly income) as a general rule.
-Demonstrate overall stability (mentally, physically, financially)
-Be willing to look for affordable housing. HDSC provides contact info. and assistance, but client must do the legwork.
-Be willing to sign a lease and spend at least 6 months in housing.

Potential Resettlement fund recipients must complete the following paperwork:
-HDSC intake
-Verification of Homelessness letter
- Budget assessment, demonstrating ability to afford housing and fiscal responsibility
-Verification of Benefits (SS, SSDI, SSI, Food Stamps, etc.), if applicable.
- Pay stubs from client’s employer, if applicable. 2 months back pay stubs are ideal. Case managers will work on setting an exact amount of pay stubs needed with client.
-Verification of Employment signed by client’s employer, if applicable.

HDSC Case Managers may contact you to provide further documentation on clients, such as writing a letter stating your opinion that client is a hard worker, stable, a good candidate for Resettlement funds, etc. to help us build a strong case for the client.

Final note: Resettlement funds are drawn from HUD and CDBG. Resettlement Assistance funds generally cannot be used for HUD funded projects (most subsidized housing, etc.) Contact HDSC case managers for specific info. on eligible housing providers.

For more info contact Ed Moore, Case Manager
Homeless Day Service Center/ABHS
706 354-1154

Stocking Stuffers!

2008-11-10T15:03:00.000-05:00

The Calendars for IHN are in. They are selling for $15.00 and all proceeds will benefit the families of Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, Inc.

Contact Tephra for more info.

Goodwill Career Center Job Fairs

2008-11-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

Goodwill Career Center Job Fairs: November 11th and 14th 10am-12pm.

Home Foreclosure Fair sponsored by Hancock Community Development Corporation and Goodwill this Saturday, November 8, 2008 from 10am-2pm at the Goodwill Career Center.

Alicia Battle
Goodwill of North Georgia
10 Huntington Rd. Suite A-2
Athens, GA 30606
706-433-1908
www.goodwillng.org

Homeless Issues Identified

2008-11-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

The Bigger Vision
Banning
Bus Transportation
Shelter Policies and Procedures
Criminal Trespassing
Rights of Homeless
Need Champion from Commissioners
Fast-track Zoning
Meet Emergency Needs
House 20-30 unsheltered now
Non-Profits Cooperation
List of Those in Need
One Church / One Family
Get More Churches Involved
Volunteers
Community Leaders
Properties Buildings Spaces Available
Refurbish, Clean-up Properties
Apartments Landlords
University Resources
Service Learning Opportunity
Direct Services
One Athens Community Foundation
Employment Job Training
Living Wage
Consistent Intake Form
Continuum of Care
Education
Childcare
Prevention of Homelessness
Foreclosures
Abandoned Houses Rehabed
Housing First
Emergency 24-Hour Shelter Needed
Heating, price of gasoline
Input on Policy / Legislation, Local, State, National
Inclusionary Zoning, Codes, and Policies
10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
Buy-in From Community
Prisoners Released into Homelessness
Addiction and Mental Health Availability
Status of Tent City
Campgrounds Instead of Tent City
Tents for Homeless
Dental Care

Next Meeting

2008-10-15T15:19:00.000-04:00

The Northeast Georgia Homeless Coalition will meet Thursday, November 6th, at Noon at the new Department of Labor Building located at 472 North Avenue, Athens.

The Advocacy Committee has been meeting, since our last General Board Meeting. There is much to discuss. We will be reporting on a proposed direction for our advocacy endeavors and asking for everyone's input on prioritizing issues and our participation, as a coalition, with respect to these issues. Please be there to help us!

We will also be talking about the $4 Billion allocation for the stabilization of US neighborhoods hard-hit by foreclosures and possibilities for collaborating to secure some of this money to assist us in this area. More info on Neighborhood Stabilization Fund