Central Outreach & Advocacy Center

nonprofit

By

Ripples of Hope

by Kimberly Parker

In January, I carpooled with six other people to an overnight retreat. We had only met each other one other time before the trip, so we were all a bit apprehensive about why we were being asked to go on this retreat together and what it would entail. Everyone was wondering why we were being thrown into the wilderness together and left to survive, or at least that’s what it felt like to us!

We had each been invited to participate in Ripples of Hope, a non-profit organization that accelerates the healthy, meaningful growth of organizations that believe business should be a force of good. The non-profit organization was created by Jeff Hilimire, Central OAC Board Chair. Jeff and another leader in Ripples of Hope, Rachelle Kuramoto, met us at the house where we would be staying. They had lunch with us, went over the agenda, and then they left us. I think we were all still a bit hesitant about what was going to happen over the next several hours. But, we got started. We hiked and got lost. We began sharing our stories of what led us to do what we do. We cooked dinner together. We played games. We laughed and some of us cried as we spent time together. 

It was a pretty intense 12+ hours, but it was amazing! From that time at the end of January until the beginning of March we were paired with others and spent a lot of time together, continuing to share our stories and receive mutual feedback. We were working on visioning our personal purpose for life. Things were moving along nicely, but then March 13th hit. Life as we all knew it changed. A good part of the curriculum for Ripples of Hope is meant to be done together, in person, and we could no longer do that. We were also all trying to figure out how to run our organizations (Synergies Work, Love Not Lost, JOYVIALl, College Aim, NewCrew, Sparke Women, and Central Outreach and Advocacy Center) in the midst of a pandemic. 

We received an email that our time together would be put on hold for a while because of COVID. We were going to meet via Zoom to further discuss how to move forward together. I remember joining that meeting with mixed feelings. I felt relieved that we would not have to focus on the readings and the extra work required. I didn’t feel like I had anything else to give, as all my energy was going toward figuring out how Central OAC could possibly operate during COVID. I was stressed! At the same time, though, my heart hurt with the thought of not being able to meet with this group of people who had come to mean a lot to me in a very short amount of time. Being a leader can often be lonely and this group became a support for me. So, we met; we talked; we were open and honest. It was agreed that we would continue meeting once per month via Zoom, but with a different focus. We would have guest speakers each month to talk with us about relevant topics. We would be able to check in each month and offer support to one another. As I write this blog, I’m planning to join a Ripples meeting later today.

The past few months have been hard and I know I am not alone in that statement. All of us, no matter what we do, have had to shift the way in which we live and work and play. I have felt the struggle of leading an organization that serves those experiencing homelessness, knowing how important our services are to our guests, and balancing our work with also keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible. Continuing to be a part of Ripples of Hope has been invaluable to me and to Central OAC. It’s helped keep me balanced and it’s given me people to talk through issues with as they arise. I know that no matter what happens, this is a group of people that will continue to be a part of my life. I am so thankful for that overnight retreat back in January. It was the beginning of a very good thing!

By

Pandemic While Homeless

by Kimberly Parker

“You Ever Think We’d See Something Like This?”

How many times in the last week or so have you seen messages like these:

“The ‘Whatever Business’ is committed to the safety, health and welfare of our staff, volunteers, and clients/members/patrons/etc. at all times. We are taking serious measures to do our part to flatten the curve of transmission of COVID-19.” 

“Based on current CDC recommendations in response to COVID-19, as of March ???, 2020, the ‘Whatever Business’ will be closed until at least March 30, 2020. We will continue to evaluate the situation and make necessary decisions based on recommendations given by trusted organizations such as the CDC.” 

It seems like everything is closing. Some of the places where we would normally go to deal with stress and stay healthy are closed: gyms, libraries, movie theaters. The list goes on and on. I get it, but gosh it’s hard! When I got word yesterday that the golf course where I try to play once a week was closing, I about lost my *#$@&! It’s outdoors! A person can be totally by themselves if they want to. Come on! Again, I get it, but it’s so hard.

When I start to have these thoughts or when I start to cry at the smallest of inconveniences, I try to think about the many people experiencing homelessness and what they’re going through right now. Things are different for them also. They are at a disadvantage that many of us can’t begin to relate to. No home in which to isolate themselves. No healthcare coverage. No easy access to soap or water or hand sanitizer. And some of the service providers are closed or have limited their services, including Central OAC.

The decisions that I’ve had to make recently have been some of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made as a leader. I’ve tried to hold our guests, volunteers, and staff in the front of my mind through  each decision, wanting to make sure we have as safe of an environment as possible for everyone. My first decision was to ask our volunteers to suspend their time with Central OAC. The next decision was to determine that we would suspend services to our guests except for allowing them to check mail twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am – 12 pm). Two staff members work these shifts rather than all four of us. Our security guard is only allowing three people in at a time with plenty of distance between each.

Yesterday was our first day of this new schedule. We had about 50 people come through the doors during the two hour shift. They picked up checks, food stamp cards, medication, debit cards – items that are very important. We had one guest come in who had been waiting on his birth certificate and Social Security card to arrive so that he could go obtain his Georgia ID. We were able to give him the voucher to cover the cost of the ID. He was so excited! These items are important. And every guest yesterday was grateful!

My heart hurts that we are limited in what we can safely provide right now. My heart hurts for the many who are experiencing homelessness. I am so grateful for the outreach teams who are still out on the street, tending to those who are most vulnerable. Central OAC asks that you pray for people experiencing homelessness and pray for those who are continuing to serve them in some capacity. I hope and pray we can keep doing what we are doing for as long as possible during this global health crisis.

Be well!

-Kimberly

 

By

People Above Process

by Michael Gable

Michael graciously served as our interim Main Frame Coordinator while Ahren Cassinari-Foster was on parental leave.  We are so grateful for all the different ways he’s served at the OAC and hope he’ll still remain connected to us even though his required internship is completed.

My introduction to Central Outreach and Advocacy Center was as a Clinical Pastoral Education student, a curriculum designed to help me experience and process the trauma of constantly working with people in crisis. So, in addition to “volunteering” 3 days a week, I also attended classes where we explored how the stories of the people who came into the OAC affected me.  The one-word answer is: “profoundly.”

I spent time with people whom most consider as just a statistic: “Atlanta’s homeless population.” While there were a few who fed into the trope of what society tells us to expect of a person experiencing homelessness, the stories of most people defied simple stereotype. The stories I encountered were a kaleidoscope of experiences. While the people I helped had a variety of needs, most simply wanted to be officially recognized as a person by our government and by other people.
As my time wore on, I worked to understand not just the job in front of me, but also how the OAC functioned as a whole. I was introduced to how it seeks to partner with other organizations to connect people with services. I witnessed the work of engaging lawmakers to make structural changes to a system with plenty of opportunity for improvement. Finally, I landed in our Main Frame program, a curriculum designed to engage people over the course of weeks, rather than minutes, helping them to learn a few basic steps to breaking into the ever-changing job market.
When you spend time with people and really listen to their stories, it gradually gets harder to dismiss them. Throughout the Main Frame class, I found myself surrounded by good people who had gotten left out of the job market for a variety of reasons.  Together, we covered skills such as career planning, resume building, job searching, and interviewing. We discussed budgeting, basic on-the-job skills, motivation, and work-life balance. We critiqued, held each other accountable, and celebrated as businesses began to respond to job applications.

Central Outreach and Advocacy Center began as just a placement, a spot where I would do my time and get my seminary credit.  But with the help of Ahren, April, Brenna, and Kimberly, I began to recognize how much more it was–a place where we come to recognize the Image of God in one another as we work to put people above process.

By

I Believe

by Cat Perkins

I believe that hands can tell a story.
I believe that time is an enemy and a friend, but when living on the streets it can be elusive.
I believe that a moment to tell a story can be a precious gift.
I believe that doing paperwork feels unnecessarily formal after the harrowing experiences some of our guests endure.
I believe that free water can heal both physically and mentally.
I believe that it is worth making time for our guests to have a comfortable place to sit and think.
I believe that a brief hug or handshake is a thank you worth a thousand words.
I believe that happiness is like a spirit, fighting to be seen and felt everywhere.

There are many things that I have come to believe since I started working at the OAC. It is hard for me to pick a brief moment in time from this year to share. For me, when I think of serving at Central OAC, experiences flash in my mind from many different interactions. I see the faces of those I’ve worked with and hear their voices as they tell me their stories. The big focus for me is on guests and their stories. All people deserve to know they are seen, but when you are marked as a “person in need”, many people turn their backs, or avert their eyes. We all know this, and yet all of us find ourselves doing it in one way or another. That’s why it’s all about stories. When you see someone who looks like they may be in need, remind yourself that they have a story, and they are human. Everyone deserves to know that someone believes they have value.

I believe that everyone has value.

Make space for people in the ways you are comfortable, and then try to see if you can make space in ways that make you uncomfortable. The program I’ve been serving through, Young Adult Volunteers, focuses on being uncomfortable, and when we find ourselves getting comfortable, the program encourages us to find ways to be uncomfortable again. Not worrying about your own comfort can make you more able to fully care for other people. I have to admit I have found myself comfortable in some of the parts of my work at Central, but I assure you, there is a time every day, that I experience discomfort. I consider it a great gift. I take a deep breath, and then dive in. A little over a year ago, I never would have thought I could do that, let alone learn to love it. I have found a passion in this place, a passion that is shared by the staff and volunteers, a passion for seeing those who often go unseen, hearing the stories and understanding the humanity of those who are rejected or seen as valueless. Central OAC is about helping people to help themselves, building back some confidence, and showing people their inherent value along the way.

As I prepare to leave, I can only express my gratitude to Central OAC for teaching me how to have humility, compassion, patience, and kindness for everyone. I feel God in this place, every day.

Cat is our year-long intern and will have her last day with us at the end of July.  We’ve loved having her on board at the OAC, and we can’t wait to see what she’ll accomplish next!