Central OAC

by Kimberly Parker, Executive Director

A couple of months ago, I felt like I was becoming jaded at work. I didn’t find a lot of joy in what I was doing. I was not patient with people. It seemed that every guest who walked through our doors got on my nerves. I didn’t want to listen. I didn’t care. This is a scary place to be!

I didn’t share this with anyone. I don’t even think I shared it with my wife, Ellen, or at least not in much detail. I knew I needed to do something to change because I didn’t feel like a good leader, pastor, or even a kind human being. If I couldn’t change, I wouldn’t need to continue doing this type of work.

I began reflecting on our values at Central OAC. “We believe in meeting people where they are and treating each person with respect and dignity.” I realized I still believed in these values but was not living them out. I decided to try something that didn’t feel like a big deal, but I wanted to see if it would change me and help the jadedness that I felt. I decided to do my best to look into the eyes of every person I encountered at work, not just a fleeting glance, but a sustained, sincere look into their eyes. I began doing this while we stood on the street, making our list for the day. I did it every day. Sometimes, I would have to remind myself to do it if I felt that impatient, critical feeling welling up inside of me again. But I did it. I looked people in the eyes.

In my privileged life, I know very little of what it feels like to be someone experiencing homelessness. But I do know what it’s like to be someone who is afraid, sad, confused, or angry at times. Looking into another person’s eyes helped me to realize that we can relate to one another. Slowly, I began to see people differently. I began to care again. I started listening in a new way as guests shared what was going on in their lives. This deep looking into the eyes has reminded me of God being with us, and I now expect to see Emanuel in the eyes of another person. For that, I am grateful, very grateful!

by Sonja Hodges

Working here at Central OAC is a unique and rewarding experience that often goes beyond a traditional 9 to 5. Amidst the challenges and the tireless pursuit of our purpose of helping each guest so that we can open doors to overcome and prevent homelessness, the practice of gratitude becomes a guiding light, lighting the path toward fulfillment and purpose.

The staff and volunteers here at Central OAC are fueled by passion and driven by a commitment to creating positive change in the lives of our guests. Gratitude is the heartbeat of this work, breathing life into the everyday efforts that collectively contribute to Central’s mission. It’s about appreciating the impact, no matter big or small, that unfolds through the collective dedication of the team.

In the daily, sometimes under-appreciated, necessary mundane tasks of assisting our guests, completing intake paperwork, referrals to Fulton County Health Department, completing applications for out-of-state birth certificates, and working on resumes, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the challenges of working with our guests. Gratitude, however, encourages us to find joy in small wins. Celebrating a guest receiving an out-of-state birth certificate so they can get an ID, or perhaps a mentally unstable guest bringing back a TB card, or being called in for an interview, no matter how minor, fosters a positive atmosphere and motivates us to keep moving forward. Whether it’s reaching a fundraising goal or witnessing a guest turning their life around, acknowledging these victories keeps us all inspired.

Gratitude is not just a sentiment; it is a transformative force that shapes the culture and success of what we do here at Central OAC. As we navigate the challenges and triumphs of our work, let us cultivate gratitude as a constant companion, a source of inspiration, and a reminder that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a brighter and better world.

by Chattrelle Gillyard

Often when we go to the doctor we wait, we wait for our name to be called, we wait to be serviced, we wait for the doctor, we wait for the next steps. We Wait!

Many times our guests here at the OAC wait, they wait outside to be put on the service list, they wait in our lobby for their name to be called, they wait to tell us their story, they wait for their documents to come back, they wait to check their mail, and they wait for their next steps towards stability.

When we go to the doctor we usually wait in a lobby, there’s usually a tv or magazine or something to keep us entertained during our waiting time. Sometimes we talk to others, engage in interesting conversations, meet new people and tell our stories. It may be a story of why we are there, a life story, or simply a story about our day. But the waiting room always seems to be a place to share stories.

The lobby at the OAC is different, there’s no TV, not really a lot of magazines to hold your attention, just others in similar situations who are waiting. Many times, natural conversations happen, guests inform each other on where to get something to eat, where to take a shower, even how to get a place to sleep for the night. Most of the time stories are shared, stories of struggle, stories of triumph, stories of victory, stories of loss, and stories of trauma. The waiting room at the OAC is a place of comfort, care, and conversations. The waiting room is a place of peace, a place to sleep, a place to rest. The waiting room is a place of hope, a place of help, a place to feel at home. The waiting room is a place to freely and safely share your story, while you wait.