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Nonprofit Overview Presentation Athens Area Homeless ShelterA
Presentation Submitted ToDr. Gerald MerwinIn Partial Fulfillment of
PADM 7040ByJustin M. VollmerValdosta State UniversityValdosta,
GASeptember 19, 2005
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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Job TREC (cont.)Job TREC services:Drug TestingCase
ManagementTransportation to and from workCounselingWork clothing
and suppliesChildcareMany more
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Fall 2005 Wish ListSilverware and GlassesBath and Hand
TowelsTwin SheetsDiapersRain PonchosCleaning suppliesDish
SoapFeminine Hygiene producsJuice and MilkDigital CameraCopy
paperPolaroid filmBack PacksDish SoapLaundry DetergentRubbermaid
totes
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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
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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)
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Food Bank of Northeast GeorgiaDistributes food from
donorsAcquires and distributes food that would otherwise be
wasted.Food Bank supplies the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.