Nonprofit Overview Presentation Athens Area Homeless ShelterA Presentation Submitted ToDr. Gerald MerwinIn Partial Fulfillment of PADM 7040ByJustin M. VollmerValdosta State UniversityValdosta, GASeptember 19, 2005

Nonprofits Fight for the HomelessWhile women weep, as they do now, Ill Fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, Ill Fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, Ill Fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, Ill Fight, Ill fight to the very end!-William BoothSalvation Army

Homeless DefinitionMcKinney Act of 1987Title IHomeless may include:Lack a regular, fixed, and adequate nighttime residence (or)Live in a shelter or transitional housing residence for homeless persons (or)Live in a temporary residence for persons waiting for institutionalization (or)

Homeless Definition(Cont.)Are sleeping in a place not intended for human beings (or)Will be evicted within one week from their home (or)Will be discharged within one week from institutions where they have lived for more than 30 days in a row.Note: Persons in jail or persons living with friends or relatives are NOT considered homeless.Source: www.arches.uga.edu/~meglenn/homelessness.html

Scope of the ProblemNationallyAny given night- 700,000 to 2 Million homeless in AmericaSingle men make up approximately 44 percent of homelessSingle Women: 13 percentFamilies With Children: 36 percent

(Source: www.policyalmanac.org)

Scope of the ProblemAthens, Ga246 homeless adults27 homeless childenThese numbers taken from 2002 survey count. In 1999, the homeless count found just 123 adults that were homeless in Athens, GA. The number has gone up drastically. The amount of people homeless in Athens in 2005 is sure to be much higher.

(Source: Athens Banner Herald 2002)Photo: Local area homeless (Athens, Ga)

Reasons for Becoming HomelessDivorceUnemploymentUnable to pay rent/mortgageArgument with family/friendsFamily member or personal illnessDrug/Alcohol abusePhysical or mental disabilitiesFamily ViolencePrison/JailWelfare time limits

(Source: http://www.thn.org/surveys/reason/reason.htm

Where Help Can Be Found:Athens Area Homeless ShelterMission StatementThe Athens Area Homeless Shelter (AAHS) provides a cooperative approach to the homeless individuals and fosters public awareness of the homelessness in the community. AAHS Almost Home Transitional Program provides long-term residential support for single women and families with children who are homeless and who wish to make life changes to regain self-sufficiency and independence. The Job TREC program provides case management and support to all homeless in Clarke County by offering personalized job training.

What is the AAHS (Athens Area Homeless Shelter)Operates within compliance of IRS Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organizationan organization must be organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes set forth in IRC Section 501(c)(3) and none of the earnings of the organization may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate at all in campaign activity for or against political candidates. (source http://www.irs.gov/charities/)

Source: www.athensareahomelessshelter.org

Athens Area Homeless ShelterMain source of help to homeless in AthensStrives to work cooperatively with the community to eliminate homelessness and educate the public on the many complex social reasons to may lead to homelessness.AAHS receives 40% of their funding from donations alone.

Athens Area Homeless ShelterGoalsProvide short and long term shelter of families and single womenProvide employment and education supportive servicesProvide assistance to homeless families with child careEducate the community that homelessness is a result of several complex factorsAdvocate for the homeless

Athens Area Homeless ShelterPrograms/ServicesJob TREC program(Job Training, Referral, and Education Center)Job TREC is an employment and education assistance programAdministered by AAHS and first funded by HUD in 1996In 2004, the program served 330 new clients

Job TREC (cont.)Job TREC services:Drug TestingCase ManagementTransportation to and from workCounselingWork clothing and suppliesChildcareMany more

Job TREC (cont.)Interesting performance statistics for 200438% of clients that left program obtained permanent housing.58% of clients that entered the program unemployed during the program year gained employment in only one month.86% of clients met at least 2 of their long or short term goalsSource: www.athensareahomelessshelter.org

Athens Area Homeless ShelterPrograms/ServicesNancy Travis HouseChild care voucher program. Program serves about 80 children each year.The Nancy Travis House is funded by the local Community Development Grant Program and is funded at the state level by the Emergency Shelter Grant Program funds.Federally, support is obtained from HUD through the Supportive Housing program.

Athens Area Homeless ShelterPrograms/ServicesAlmost Home ProgramEmergency shelter and transitional housing for single women and families.Case workers work extensively with single women/families to achieve mutual goals.AAHS and the Almost Home Program can house up to five families and four single women at one time

How does the AAHS get help?Most of the Athens Area Homeless Shelters operating services comes from VOLUNTEERS.VolunteersProvide daily evening mealThey prepare, purchase, and serve the evening meal every night of the yearProvide child care assistanceWatch children of families staying at shelter while the parents attend the informative programs and support groups.

Volunteers (cont.)VolunteersMake donationsIncluding clothing, supplies, and food (see wish list)Provide mentoring/tutoringHelp children with homework etc.Provide support for special events and fundraisers

AAHS and VolunteersThe AAHS has a very strong volunteer base.3 calendar months are usually booked in advance of help from volunteers offering to prepare and serve.Membership involves pledging a monthly amount (auto deduction) to the AAHS.Volunteers come from community service groups, fraternities and sororities, professional organizations and individuals.Marketing continually involves the recruiting of volunteers for daily activities and special events/fundraisers.

AAHS OperationsAdministrative StaffExecutive DirectorAssistant DirectorAlmost Home Case ManagerJob TREC Case ManagerMaintenance CoordinatorBoard of DirectorsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 9 board membersIT StaffWebsite Maintainer and administerNight and Weekend Staff

Donations to AAHSDonations make up approximately 40% of the shelters annual budget!AAHS makes it very easy to donateTax deductible giftMake donation through PayPal via their websitewww.athensareahomelessshelter.orgWelcomes any donation amount.

Fall 2005 Wish ListSilverware and GlassesBath and Hand TowelsTwin SheetsDiapersRain PonchosCleaning suppliesDish SoapFeminine Hygiene producsJuice and MilkDigital CameraCopy paperPolaroid filmBack PacksDish SoapLaundry DetergentRubbermaid totes

Where else does money come from?Fundraising eventsThird Annual Gospel Benefit ConcertPresented by the UGA South Campus Custodial DepartmentTickets $10-proceeds benefit AAHSAmici Italian Caf Share CardsUse card to receive 10% off your meal and donate that 10% to the Athens Area Homeless Shelter

Department of Community AffairsPress AnnouncementOn July 7, 2005 DCA announced $5.5 million to assist homeless GeorgiansAmong the recipients in Athens, GAAdvantage Behavioral Health Systems (runs the Athens Homeless Day Service Center - $20,000Athens Area Homeless Shelter - $60,000Food Bank of Northeast Georgia - $7,500The Healing Place of Athens - $26,400

(Source: www.dca.state.ga.us / Press Release)

Food Bank of Northeast GeorgiaDistributes food from donorsAcquires and distributes food that would otherwise be wasted.Food Bank supplies the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

More FundsLocally:Money from HUDs Community Development Block Grant is locally distributed by the Athens Clarke County Human and Economic Development.Among the total block grant, public services receives funds.The county allocated $10,000 in 2005 for Athens Area Homeless Shelter

Run/Walk for Home 5Kin Athens, GAProceeds from race benefit seven local charities.Including: Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Project Safe, Salvation Army.Last Year (2004)Raised $2,500

Obstacles facing ShelterIn addition to providing transitional housing and support for the homeless, AAHS is also involved in lobbying and holding a voice for the homeless.Currently the Athens Downtown Development Authority is debating to push for stricter panhandling laws.Currently Athens has a law against aggressive panhandling

Obstacles cont.Courtney Davis, executive director of the Athens Area Homeless Shelter has spoken out against laws preventing panhandling citingIt certainly isnt a solution to poverty or homelessness.Davis contends that a ban on panhandling would make homeless people less visible, rather than resolving the problem.Source: Athens Banner Herald, 2005

AAHS fights to prevent the criminalization of the homeless.Many communities have enacted ordinances making it illegal to engage in certain activities like:Sleeping in the park/urban campingSitting or lying on public benchesUrinating in public with no public restrooms availablePanhandlingEating from trashcans, dumpstersEtc.

Athens Area Homeless ShelterConclusionThe Athens Area Homeless Shelter, in combination with other local and area services provides many transitional services to the local homeless population. 40% of the AAHS budget comes from donations alone illustrating the importance of volunteers, members, and donors. This nonprofit organization and others like it will continue to supplement the local government as they share many of the same goals.