Blog Posts

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! 

by Shania Barker

Stability is often taken for granted in life until it is no longer there. The feeling of uncertainty that comes with instability can be overwhelming and all-consuming, leaving many, including myself, to forget that, like many things, gaining stability is not universal or straightforward. 

The journey towards stability is a personal and collective endeavor that requires compassion, empathy, and mindfulness. This is something I have both experienced and observed while at Central OAC. When I first began volunteering at Central OAC I was experiencing a time of loss and uncertainty. Although I had started this path of recovery, I felt as if my personal and professional livelihood had failed. These feelings made my work at Central OAC feel sanctimonious and hypocritical at times. “How could I advocate for someone’s bare necessities, such as safe, stable housing, when I was experiencing so much instability?“

It was not until I began to mindfully and wholly engage with the guests that I realized our stories were parallel to one another. The same empathy, patience, and community that the people I saw needed was what I had been looking for in my life. In a way, the guests became a form of accountability for me. 

Each individual defines what their stability looks like. It’s not prescribed or shared, as everyone has their own wants and needs. One thing that is a constant, however, is how we achieve stability and how it is fostered every day. I appreciate the openness I have learned at Central OAC and hope to continue to watch our guests grow and move into sustainable lifestyles.

by Checha Reddy (Georgia State University Intern)

Everything you experience prepares you for vital life lessons. To live in full bloom is living with hope and purpose, with imagination and vision. Central Outreach and Advocacy Center began at Central Presbyterian Church in a closet. A young woman came to the church in need of utilities and food. She spoke with one of the ministers who listened to her story and arranged for her to pick up some groceries for her family. From this humble beginning COAC was born and has become a great service and advocacy non-profit for those experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless in the Metro Atlanta area.

When people, places, or things blossom, they embrace change and become stronger. As the need for services in the surrounding communities grew, so did the structure of the
agency evolved, and they continue to adjust their services to meet the societal changes. The vision began by serving a mother and children in need of food and utilities, but they have now created a conglomerate of services that open doors to overcome and prevent homelessness. Some of the supportive services are ID replacements, Food Stamps application and renewals, SSI/SSDI applications, Housing Assessments, Main Frame Program, Mail Check, and referrals.

As a blooming intern, you are taught a specific skillset, and each skill is like a bud. The more you learn, the more you unfold into this confident and skilled case manager who exhibits the essential skills and traits to thrive in the knowledge you have received. As a blossoming intern, you come into the fullness of your blooming as you grow in exercising your newfound skills. You evolve through a natural process of strategic learning that enhances your ability to serve with an unbiased attitude.

The key resources provided by COAC are to assist our guests and help them to regain stability and confidence. Everyone we serve is empowered to thrive as we assist in rebuilding their lives. A 63-year-old African American man who was experiencing homelessness is now permanently housed in “The Melody” housing development sponsored by the City of Atlanta. Through our services, this guest has evolved from being in a homeless situation to living as a permanent resident with case managers onsite. The purpose of COAC is to open doors to overcome and prevent homelessness by empowering guests to take the next steps toward self-sufficiency.

by Angelica Castolo (Georgia State University Intern)

Since 1980, Central OAC has been growing, all thanks to the guests we help. Many of our guests come in seeking help, thanks to others who previously sought help at Central OAC. Many of our guests are grateful for the services Central OAC can provide, and instead of only just receiving services, they decide to love thy neighbor and pass along the work being done at Central OAC. However, that is not where the love stops.

The love for helping others continues to grow as our work spreads. The staff works hard to find new ways to help as many people as possible. Some examples are partnering with Mercy Care to provide in-house physicals and referrals, adding an Advocacy Coordinator to advocate, whether at the capitol or with other organizations, curating unique workshops for job readiness, creating Alison’s Boutique to provide work clothing, and having monthly events to bring our guests together to relax and have fun. The love from Central OAC never stops and continues to grow.

One way I have shown my love is by translating. Central OAC encounters many different types of people from different backgrounds. Every now and then, we encounter Spanish speakers. As a Spanish speaker myself, I help those guests by searching for resources that best suit their needs. One example I remember is when I was having car trouble and our Program Director called me to see if I was available to translate. Since I was waiting for an update, I gladly said yes to get my mind off my car troubles. I was asked to translate for a guest who needed help to receive the necessary services. Although it was hard because I was not in person, the guest was able to check if he had mail. The guest eventually returned, and I was able to explain the ID process to him in person, and he was able to receive it.

Although I have only worked at Central OAC for about five months as a Social Work Intern, I have noticed all these examples within those five months. I have also asked many guests how they found us, and almost always, the answer is from another guest. Central OAC not only gives love but also receives it every day. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing organization and hope to see it grow even more.