JHNB Atlanta: New Beginnings Program
Why?
Data collection in 2020 (data for Atlanta's unsheltered population was unavailable for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) found there are approximately 3,200 homeless people within the City of Atlanta's 130 square-mile footprint. These are just the people we can account for. There is no telling how many undocumented and forgotten people there are on the streets on any given night. Statistics only show half of the struggle that is homelessness. The hunger, guilt, shame, and struggle to provide for your own– individual stories cannot be conveyed through numbers. In addition to homelessness, The poverty rate in Atlanta is 22.4%. One out of every 4.5 residents of Atlanta lives in poverty and Atlanta rent is up by 18.1% compared to last year (2021).
There is a need for another organization to help this ongoing crisis of housing insecurity. This program lays out the transition from the streets to a stable life with employment and life skills education (financial literacy, time management etc.). This ensures high retention of those who go through our program long after we help them. The recipient to peer counselor pathway fosters a family feel within the program because the ones motivating you can relate to what you are going through. This program has the potential to expand and help thousands people if we are provided with the opportunity to receive proper funding and partnerships.
The Program
This is a 6 month program that includes...
In month one of the program we will provide housing for the entire month. Through our partners we will be assisting the participant with finding a job and providing interview training. They will be receiving The New Beginnings Program Care Package:
- CashApp + CashApp Card
- Real I.D.
- Smartphone
- Laptop
- P.O. Box.
- Email Account
- Transportation: Marta Card/Bike/Bus Pass (one months worth of public transportation)
- Food
- Water
- Snacks
- Hygiene Maintenance (manicure, pedicure, & haircut)
- Toiletries
- Clothing
- Backpack
- Folder
- Calendar
- Notebook
- Sticky notes
- Pens
- Pencils
Month 2 of the program consists of the participant taking a life skills curriculum course that provides education on "adulting" such as financial literacy and life management.
Month 3-4 of the program consists of the recipient(s) transitioning to a regular schedule and the workfield while we support them emotionally and mentally.
Month 5 of the program consists of a transition from temporary housing to to a stable living environment.
Month 6 of the program consists of peer mentoring training so the participant can be a peer mentor to the next recipient(s) of the program.
GRADUATION!
