The Atlanta Children’s Shelter founded by the Junior League of Atlanta provides free, quality day care to about forty children in transition on a daily basis. This great organization, founded in 1986 provides homeless families with the supports needed to become self sufficient. Self sufficiency is neither always simple nor guaranteed with a pre determined formula but is created in partnership with community organizations and led by each family.
The shelter’s targeted social services encompass the location of permanent housing; employment services; education; the development and maintenance of social relationships. This comprehensive approach ensures that each family is equipped with the tools that can combat a cycle of homelessness. Each factor is not provided in isolation as each skill is a building block for the other.
Affordable child care options are a necessity for American families and are a common topic of money and financial periodicals. The Atlanta Children’s Shelter recognizes that child care is essential in parents entering and re-entering the workforce. The shelter utilizes a curriculum that is crafted to meet the unique needs of children facing homelessness. The education gained includes exposure to the arts and a variety of fitness activities. Children are given nutritious meals and snacks that create healthy eating habits and promote learning.
Work of this magnitude could not be successful in isolation. This organization’s community partners provide essential services and funding. The referrals given to families also promote self sufficiency by modeling resource finding. The Atlanta Children’s Shelter partners include the United Way of Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Metro Atlanta Furniture Bank, Community Advanced Practice Nurses and a host of other agencies. These organizations provide the names of resources based on zip code; locations of food pantries; beds and other furniture; and wellness checks for families.
The leadership, administrative, development, program staff and families of the Atlanta Children’s Shelter cannot do the work alone. Dedicated volunteers add the winning formula of success for the families that are served. Volunteering happens by physically being present at the site and by donations made. Let us work together so every family facing homelessness can achieve the success of self sufficiency by being housed, fed and employed.
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