Blog Posts

by OJ Flowers (Communication Coordinator)

In the heart of nearly every city, nestled among skyscrapers and bustling streets, lives a resilient community too often overlooked. A community of individuals experiencing homelessness who attempt to navigate systemic systems that feel impersonal and overwhelming, all while seeking something as simple and as vital as stability. In Atlanta, tucked between the Capitol building and City Hall, Central Outreach and Advocacy Center (OAC) stands as a beacon of hope. Our mission is rooted in deep compassion, as we strive to be passionate advocates and committed partners to those striding toward renewed life and lasting stability.

One of the cornerstones of our work is building a community of trust and support. For many guests, walking through the doors of Central OAC is more than an act of necessity; it’s the first step toward transformation. They find access to services and a team that sees them as the human beings they are. Team members like Amy and Camille do more than offer mail or snacks; they offer kindness and dignity. They greet guests by name, provide a listening ear, and help ease the burden of the day because it’s hard to think about housing or employment when your stomach is empty, or your name feels forgotten.

Our employment services provide tailored support to help guests fine-tune resumes, prepare for interviews, and dress the part with clothing from Alison’s Boutique. Employment Specialist Sonja works one-on-one with guests, walking alongside them as they take tangible steps toward meaningful employment. At Central OAC, we understand that securing a job isn’t just about financial stability; it’s about restoring dignity and fostering a sense of belonging. A job can be the breath that brings someone back to life, the spark that reignites a sense of purpose.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. Our Advocacy Coordinator, Sarah, works behind the scenes to dismantle the systemic barriers that keep people stuck in cycles of poverty and homelessness. She helps pave the way for long-term change for the entire community through policy work, education, and strategic advocacy

At Central Outreach and Advocacy Center, our commitment remains unwavering. We walk beside our guests with compassion as they take steps toward stability. Together, we can continue to open doors and create pathways to stability for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. Whether you choose to volunteer, advocate, donate, or learn more, know that you are helping create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. And for our guests, that means everything as they take steps toward stability.

by Camille Frink (Supportive Services Coordinator)

When I first started my position here at Central OAC, I was handed a large set of keys. Each key does something different–some open office doors, some open supply closets, some open outside doors–but all of the keys look identical. Despite having and using these keys everyday, I could not tell you which one opens any given door, except for my office. I have tried labelling the keys, I have tried to remember the numbers written on the keys, anything to keep them straight, but still I fumble with them everyday. 

As I reflect on our mission this month–to open doors to overcome and prevent homelessness–I am reminded of just how many “keys” the guests we serve need in order to move forward. Finding and keeping track of these keys to stability, like state identification, a birth certificate, a new food stamps card, etc. can be overwhelming. Scheduling an appointment for a replacement social security card can be a monumental task for someone who doesn’t have a way to look up how to call the social security office, let alone have a phone of their own to use. Updating your resume, setting up an email address, and preparing for a job interview is overwhelming for anyone, let alone someone without stable housing.

Everyday, I see our volunteers, interns, and staff work with guests to find the keys they need to move forward. We call and sit on hold with state vital records offices, trying to make sure our guests have the documents they need to get their birth certificates. We make sure every guest has walking directions to driver’s services to get their state ID. We let them know when they have ID, they can come back and begin the process of looking for work, if they wish. Everyday, we make sure our guests not only have the keys they need, but know which one unlocks which door, and that they know they are not alone in their journey.

by Laquetta West (Georgia State Intern)

What does it mean to love your neighbor?

Loving your neighbor is helping a member of your community who is in need. That person might be in need of some food, shelter, or even a nice conversation. Even if you’re in need yourself, letting someone know that they aren’t alone, can feel just as good. Now, your community doesn’t have to be just a neighborhood as the phrase implies, it could be someone who shares the same interests or identifiers as you. And those people can be considered your neighbors too, in a sense. As long as you are assisting those of your community whether physically or otherwise, that are in need, you are loving, thy neighbor.

by Kimberly Parker 

At the beginning of each year, many people make New Year’s resolutions. It seems to be a time to reset; to think what another year could hold; or to simply want to be a better, healthier person.To be honest, I am not a big one on resolutions. I seem to make them and then not keep them. I then feel horrible for not being able to achieve what I had set out to achieve.

Maybe one year, I will figure out a good way to succeed!

From an organizational standpoint, though, I am thinking about Central Outreach and Advocacy Center. This is a new year for the OAC so what will we set out to achieve in order to continue opening doors to overcome and prevent homelessness? A few thoughts come to my mind:

Fill our Supportive Services Coordinator position … We have been without a full-time staff member since late in July. I can’t thank my current team for the ways in which everyone has pitched in, taken on additional responsibilities, and helped make sure we got the work done. But, we are ready and we are hoping for the right person to step in and join an already good team!

Increase the number of guests who work in the Main Frame Resource Lab … When people are placed on the list to work with Sonja Hodges, Employment Specialist, we see strides being made toward securing employment. I hope to see more guests take advantage of this program because I believe it helps them with a new beginning in their journeys.

Increase the number of guests who receive clothing through Alison’s Boutique … I love to show up in the Boutique when Sonja or a volunteer take a guest back to “shop” for clothes to wear to an interview or a job. Oftentimes I tear up because they walk out there with shoulders back, head held high, and a smile on their face that was not there before entering the Boutique.

Secure additional volunteers to assist with intake … With a small team, we cannot serve the numbers of guests we serve without volunteers to help with the work. In 2024, we provided 9,632 different services to 3,571 unduplicated guests. We were able to achieve these numbers with our paid staff and 3,620 volunteer hours. These numbers are great, but we also had to turn away 715 guests when we simply didn’t have enough intake people to see all that showed up at our doors.

Continue carrying out our values who make us who we are … “We believe in meeting people where they are with patience and humility and treating each person with respect and dignity.” My team (staff, volunteers, and interns) do this well and I know that it makes a difference in the lives of those we serve! A New Year, A New Beginning … come volunteer or simply come and learn more about what we do! It’s truly a special place!