1. Nonprofit Overview Presentation Athens Area Homeless Shelter
A Presentation Submitted To
Dr. Gerald Merwin
In Partial Fulfillment of
PADM 7040 By
Justin M. Vollmer
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
September 19, 2005

2. Nonprofits Fight for the Homeless
“While women weep, as they do now, I’ll Fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll Fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll Fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll Fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”
-William Booth
Salvation Army

3. Homeless Definition McKinney Act of 1987 Title I
Homeless 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)

4. 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:

5. Scope of the Problem Nationally
Any given night- 700,000 to 2 Million homeless in America
Single men make up approximately 44 percent of homeless
Single Women: 13 percent
Families With Children: 36 percent
(Source:

6. Scope of the Problem Athens, Ga 246 homeless adults
27 homeless childen
These 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)

7. Reasons for Becoming Homeless
Divorce
Unemployment
Unable to pay rent/mortgage
Argument with family/friends
Family member or personal illness
Drug/Alcohol abuse
Physical or mental disabilities
Family Violence
Prison/Jail
Welfare time limits
(Source:

8. Where Help Can Be Found: Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Mission Statement
“The 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 organization
“an 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
Source:

9. Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Main source of help to homeless in Athens
Strives 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.

10. Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Goals
Provide short and long term shelter of families and single women
Provide employment and education supportive services
Provide assistance to homeless families with child care
Educate the community that homelessness is a result of several complex factors
Advocate for the homeless

11. Athens Area Homeless Shelter Programs/Services
Job TREC program
(Job Training, Referral, and Education Center)
Job TREC is an employment and education assistance program
Administered by AAHS and first funded by HUD in 1996
In 2004, the program served 330 new clients

12. Job TREC (cont.) Job TREC services: Drug Testing Case Management
Transportation to and from work
Counseling
Work clothing and supplies
Childcare
Many more…

13. Job TREC (cont.) Interesting performance statistics for 2004…
38% 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 goals
Source:

14. Athens Area Homeless Shelter Programs/Services
Nancy Travis House
Child 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.

15. Athens Area Homeless Shelter Programs/Services
Almost Home Program
Emergency 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

16. How does the AAHS get help?
Most of the Athens Area Homeless Shelter’s operating services comes from VOLUNTEERS.
Volunteers…
Provide daily evening meal
They prepare, purchase, and serve the evening meal every night of the year
Provide child care assistance
Watch children of families staying at shelter while the parents attend the informative programs and support groups.

17. Volunteers (cont.) Volunteers… Make donations
Including clothing, supplies, and food (see wish list)
Provide mentoring/tutoring
Help children with homework etc.
Provide support for special events and fundraisers

18. AAHS and Volunteers The 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.

19. AAHS Operations Administrative Staff Board of Directors IT Staff
Executive Director
Assistant Director
Almost Home Case Manager
Job TREC Case Manager
Maintenance Coordinator
Board of Directors
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 9 board members
IT Staff
Website Maintainer and administer
Night and Weekend Staff

20. Donations to AAHS
Donations make up approximately 40% of the shelters annual budget!
AAHS makes it very easy to donate
Tax deductible gift
Make donation through PayPal via their website
Welcomes any donation amount.

21. Fall 2005 Wish List Silverware and Glasses Bath and Hand Towels
Twin Sheets
Diapers
Rain Ponchos
Cleaning supplies
Dish Soap
Feminine Hygiene producs
Juice and Milk
Digital Camera
Copy paper
Polaroid film
Back Packs
Dish Soap
Laundry Detergent
Rubbermaid totes

22. Where else does money come from?
Fundraising events
Third Annual Gospel Benefit Concert
Presented by the UGA South Campus Custodial Department
Tickets $10-proceeds benefit AAHS
Amici Italian Café Share Cards
Use card to receive 10% off your meal and donate that 10% to the Athens Area Homeless Shelter

23. Department of Community Affairs “Press Announcement”
On July 7, 2005 DCA announced $5.5 million to assist homeless Georgians
Among the recipients in Athens, GA
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems (runs the Athens Homeless Day Service Center - $20,000
Athens Area Homeless Shelter - $60,000
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia - $7,500
The Healing Place of Athens - $26,400
(Source: / Press Release)

24. Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Distributes food from donors
Acquires and distributes food that would otherwise be wasted.
Food Bank supplies the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

25. More Funds…
Locally:
Money from HUD’s 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

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

27. Obstacles facing Shelter
In 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”

28. Obstacles cont.
Courtney Davis, executive director of the Athens Area Homeless Shelter has spoken out against laws preventing panhandling citing…
“It certainly isn’t 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

29. 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 camping
Sitting or lying on public benches
Urinating in public with no public restrooms available
Panhandling
Eating from trashcans, dumpsters
Etc.

30. Athens Area Homeless Shelter Conclusion
The 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.