GIVE: Provide Shelter

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AAHS can help you inspire your networks to get active in responding to homelessness in Athens. Look inside to learn about these new tools and how you can use them to share your passion.

OPEN DOORS SPRING 2011 A Newsletter of the Athens Area Homeless Shelter

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MOBILIZE: Get Active

Do you know how many individuals are homeless in Athens? Look inside for the results of the point-in-time count.

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LEARN: Know & Respond

Make a difference every month in the lives of homeless families with a monthly gift. Turn the page and learn the impact of a $25 per month gift inspired by AAHS’ 25 years of service to the Athens community.

Help us GO GREEN! Sign up online to receive our newsletter by e-mail.

25 years. Since 1986, the Athens Area Homeless Shelter has provided shelter and supportive services to homeless families and individuals in Athens-Clarke County.

During one of the coldest months of the year in 1986, the Athens community provided 10 cots to serve as a response to the critical need for emergency shelter for the homeless in the Athens community. Since that time,

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This fun and energetic, four-year-old resident has lived at the shelter for nine months while her mother participates in a training program to increase her employability and wage earning potential.

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SPRING 2011 www.helpathenshomeless.org

Become a Shelter Provider: 25 Dollars for 25 years Over the course of a year, what can $25 per month do?

• Provide one month of child care for a homeless infant.

• Provide 5 months of transportation for a homeless job seeker.

• Provide 3 months of diapers for a sheltered child.

To sign up to become a Shelter Provider, donating $25 or more per month, visit www.helpathenshomeless.org/give or contact Meredith Williams at 706.354.0423 or director@helpathenshomeless.org.

Shelter Providers receive two tickets to the Harvest for the Homeless event and two tickets to the UGA Stadion Classic.

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the Athens Area Homeless Shelter has grown into an organization that seeks to not only provide shelter, but to equip the homeless in Athens with the tools necessary for long-term independence and economic self-sufficiency.

In 2010, the AAHS Transitional Shelter Program served 16 single, homeless mothers and their children, providing them with shelter, child care vouchers, and training programs that reduced their barriers to stable housing. Supported by hundreds of community volunteers providing evening meals, facility maintenance, program support, and a highly trained staff, 86% of program participants were still housed six months after leaving the program.

In keeping with its historic commitment to help homeless individuals in the community, the JobTREC program served nearly 380 homeless individuals with services that helped to increase their employability in 2010. Program participants received personal case management with skilled social workers, transportation vouchers to help with job searches, and clothing vouchers to help obtain appropriate clothing for job interviews or uniforms. Over 70% of JobTREC clients experienced an increase in income during program enrollment.

In 2011, as the community recognizes 25 years of moving the homeless closer to home, we challenge you to pause with us to remember our past and partner with us to ensure quality and effective services for the future.

In honor of our 25th year, become a Shelter Provider and continue to participate in Athens’ compassionate response to homelessness. Shelter Providers give monthly to AAHS, helping to create a predictable funding stream that helps us serve our clients efficiently and effectively.

Thank you for moving your fellow Athenians closer to home.

Meredith Williams, Executive Director

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In February, two families moved from homelessness to home ownership!

One mother partnered with Habitat for Humanity and is now residing at her own home. Another mother obtained a living-wage job during her time at the shelter and was able to save enough money for a down payment on a home. The family has moved out and is financially self-sufficient.

YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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SPRING 2011 www.helpathenshomeless.org

Learn The 2011 Athens-Clarke County

point-in-time count of homeless individuals revealed that there are 407 people in Athens that reported experiencing homelessness at the time of the count.

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia has the highest rate of poverty in counties with a population of more than 100,000 across the United States, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that from 2008 to 2009, the largest increase in homeless subpopulations nationwide was in the number of family households, which increased by over 3,200 households (4% increase).

Nationally, while most homeless are sheltered, 4 in 10 were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation.

From 2008 to 2009, conditions worsened among all four economic indicators that contribute to homelessness: housing affordability for poor people, unemployment, poor workers’ income, and foreclosure status.

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AAHS works with the homeless to reduce their barriers to stable housing and self-sufficiency. Learn more about we help to end homelessness at helpathenshomeless.org/learn.

WISH LIST:

Pull-Ups Diapers - Laundry Detergent - Cleaning Supplies - Towels/Wash Cloths - Umbrellas/Raincoats - Copy Paper - Stamps - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - Toilet Paper/Paper Towels

The reality of poverty and homelessness in our community can be overwhelming. The problem seems so complex and vast that we don’t always know where to begin in our response to our neighbors in need.

We can help you get active in some tangible ways to respond to homelessness. Here are three ways that you can help right now:

1) CONNECT: Connect to AAHS on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to inform your social networks about our programs and how you are plugging in to the issue while reading up-to-date information on the issues and how you can help.

2) SHARE: Share the story of homeless families and individuals in Athens. Become an expert storyteller with our presentations tools and resources found at helpathenshomeless.org/mobilize.

3) VOLUNTEER: From handy men to avid cooks to event planners, there is a need you or your group can meet today. Go online or email volunteer@helpathenshomeless.org for more information.

Mobilize: helpathenshomeless.org/mobilize

SPRING 2011 www.helpathenshomeless.org

AAHS 25th Anniversary Luncheon - April 19th – Terrace Room at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia – Tickets $25 - RSVP at 706.354.0423 or info@helpathenshomeless.org

20th Annual Silver & Archibald Run/Walk for Home 5K - April 23rd at 8am - Register by calling 706.680.7223 or at active.com

AAHS Golf Tournament - April 25th at Lane Creek Golf Club - Entry fee $80 or $320 for a foursome - Shotgun start at 1pm – Register by calling 706.354.0423 or at info@helpathenshomeless.org

UGA Stadion Classic Tickets “Fore” Charity - May 2nd-8th - Georgia University Golf Course - Tickets available at helpathenshomeless.org or by calling 706.354.0423.

Upcoming Events: Connect with fellow supporters

The Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Inc. (AAHS) is a 501c3 non-profit organization serving homeless individuals and families in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. Our mission is to provide collaborative, comprehensive services to homeless

individuals and families, fostering public awareness of homelessness in the community.

Athens Area Homeless Shelter 620 Barber Street Athens, GA 30601

Make sure to make note of our upcoming events! Any questions? Feel free to call 706-354-0423 or email

info@helpathenshomeless.org to get more information.