Central Outreach & Advocacy Center

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Turning Over A New Leaf

by Briona Mclean (Georgia State University Intern)

I have had a few guests who have been trying to turn over a new leaf in life. I was recently working with a guest who had all the odds stacked against him. We shall call him Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith came into my office really tired. One of the first things he asked me is if we had resources for luggage storage; he was walking around with at least two suitcases. During our assessment, Mr. Smith let me know that he was going through a tough time and struggled with alcohol for a while and was ready to get his life together. He had cleaned himself up and was now looking for work as a construction contractor. Mr. Smith needed an ID and help with finding jobs. I referred Mr.Smith to Ms. Sonja so that she could help him with the job search. Mr. Smith came back the next day, dressed in business attire and ready for an interview coming up. Mr. Smith had a very positive attitude and was grateful for the help. He thanked me for helping him in his time of need. I was happy that I was able to help and more importantly make a small difference in someone else’s life as they begin turning over a new leaf.

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Turning Over A New Leaf

by Sarah Zimbardi

Most guests who come through the OAC’s doors are going through a time of transition – trying to turn over a new leaf in their life. Some have moved from another city, hoping Atlanta will bring new opportunities. Others have just been released from custody, trying to start over from scratch. And still others have entered treatment programs or other programs that make sure their supportive needs are met. 

When I first entered the doors of the OAC almost 15 years ago as a young adult volunteer, I too was going through a time of transition – I had just graduated from college, moved to a new city, and was trying to figure out what to do next with my life. As I got to know the guests of the OAC, the realization struck me that the key difference between us was the support network we had available to help us through the time of transition. 

At the OAC, we try to meet each guest where they are in their life and be a part of their support network when we can be.

For some that means providing employment services through the Main Frame: helping to polish their resume, apply for jobs, prep for interviews, and dress them for success at that interview. For others it’s helping to navigate the process of getting a birth certificate or ID so they can get a job or housing. And for some it’s something even as simple as providing a restroom, a telephone, or a listening ear. 

A young guest came in recently asking for help with a New York State birth certificate. This guest shared with Briona that he had been trying for months to figure out how to get one since he didn’t have any form of identification on their list and how frustrated he was with the process. Without the birth certificate, he couldn’t get a Georgia ID and so hadn’t been able to get a job. I happened to be on the phone with New York State vital records for another guest with the same issue. After five minutes of back and forth with the vital records representative trying to explain that our guests literally had nothing available from their list of identification, Kimberly, Briona, and I decided we had to try a different approach: reach out directly to the counties where the guests were born. Within 30 minutes, Biona had filled out what looked like the exact same New York State vital records application on the county’s website and submitted it using my attorney credentials and a letter notarized by Sonja. Ten minutes later, we got notification that the birth certificate had been shipped! For perspective, New York State birth certificates can take upwards of a year of processing time when ordered from the state vital records office… 

It’s this creative problem-solving and willingness to keep trying until we find a solution that I have always loved about the OAC. It’s how we try to fulfill our vision to be passionate advocates and invested partners for those experiencing homelessness. Everyone deserves to have this type of passionate support through some of the toughest transitions in their lives.  At the OAC, we’re proud to be able to be part of our guests’ support networks as they try to turn over a new leaf.

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Serving with a Purpose

by Kimberly Parker

On August 24, 2004 I walked through the doors of Central Outreach and Advocacy Center. It was the first day of what I thought would be a temporary part-time job. My PURPOSE at the time was to work in order to pay my bills until I received a call to a church. I had very little experience working with people in a homeless situation. I probably got the job in part because my seminary advisor served on the Board of Central OAC and recommended me. I did not see myself serving in this capacity for very long. Again, my PURPOSE was to pay my bills while I continued to seek a call in the church.

I can still remember that first day. I was nervous. I really didn’t know what to expect. And I showed up to learn that who I thought would be my direct supervisor was gone so I had a whole different supervisor. 

I kept seeking a call to a church because I believed that was what God was calling me to do and how God wanted me to serve after finishing seminary. I kept hitting brick walls so I kept working at Central OAC so I could pay my bills. Remember, that was my PURPOSE! After a few months, I was offered a full time position. I took it. Within a year, I slowly began to realize that God’s call was different than I had first imagined. I was indeed being called to serve at Central OAC.

It was and is in a church, on the ground floor, but looks a bit different than where I imagined serving. I don’t preach (at least not in the OAC; every now and then I do get to preach at Central Presbyterian). I don’t serve communion. I don’t baptize people.

However, I sit with folks. I listen. Sometimes I am asked to pray with a guest. Through ID vouchers, a MARTA card, a new outfit from Alison’s Boutique, a piece of picked up mail, food stamp assistance, or a new apartment, we are serving guests experiencing homelessness. I don’t do the “normal” things that a pastor does in a church, but I do serve people and I do serve with a PURPOSE and it’s not just to pay my bills anymore.. 

Twenty years later I am still at Central OAC. My job title changed three times. My job responsibilities changed. My call changed or at least the location. The call to serve never changed. 

The folks who walk through our doors each day are really no different than those who walk through the doors of a church on Sunday mornings. They are human beings facing life, most of the time, a life that may be harder than most people face. Central OAC becomes a place of community for many folks and I get to serve them. It has been an honor and a privilege to do so for 20 years! I am thankful that my call changed and that I was given the opportunity to serve God in this capacity! 

Serving with a purpose … we all do it at Central OAC! 

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Dare to Donate

by Amy Kirkland

What does that mean? Donations are the lifeline of any nonprofit. It is about more than just sending in money for a fundraiser. Donations come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the smallest donations are the most thoughtful. 

Two of my top three most memorable donations were from a guest and former guest. We had a guest we called “Chef” who beat  addiction and went from living under a bridge to having a full time job at an Atlanta Hotel. For quite some time, he received mail at the OAC because he couldn’t get mail at his extended stay hotel. Several times, I can recall him wanting to come in and he would go over to Kimberly’s Office and hand her a $20 bill. He never failed to say how much he appreciated us and when he could he wanted to give back. 

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting a former guest who took an Uber to come drop off snacks, hygiene products, and even clorox wipes for cleaning the OAC. She said she wanted to give back things that we had previously given her. What a blessing! 

My third favorite donation is a box of first aid kits that a youth volunteer brought in. He said he felt like many guests could really use these supplies. It came full circle when one day we were working the mail desk together. A guest came in with a bad scrape. I was trying to gather a few things from our first aid drawer. Our volunteer sprang from behind the desk to retrieve a kit from under the front table. I had forgotten that we had them. He was so delighted to share something he had contributed and the guest felt like they had gotten something special! 

Each day we rely on donations to meet our guests’ needs. We have volunteers and staff to help with IDs, Birth Certificates,Social Security Cards, and the list goes on. Beyond that almost every guest that comes in is offered two snacks which are almost 100% from donations. The snacks are dropped off at the Center or sent via our Amazon Wishlist! With a donation of one box of crackers and granola bars, you can make a difference. Some days we have sack lunches or sandwiches and that is extra special. We also pass out several hygiene kits per day. Sometimes we have boxes of things donated but often we simply get a bag of unused hotel toiletries from a trip a volunteer took. I cannot say enough about how much donations have meant to the launch of Alison’s Boutique … from the creation of the space to all of the wonderful items that fill it.We dare you to donate, large or small, and watch what a difference you will make in someone’s life!