HomeAid Impact: Engaging Volunteers in August
Atlanta – September 13, 2022 – Throughout August, building industry nonprofit HomeAid Atlanta engaged volunteers in providing help and hope for people in need around metro Atlanta. In addition to building safe and dignified housing for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, HomeAid meets additional needs through its community engagement initiatives. HomeAid Care Days are volunteer workdays providing minor repairs and upgrades, such as painting and landscaping, free-of-charge for organizations that provide housing and services to people experiencing homelessness. HomeAid CareKits, hygiene kits packed by volunteers and distributed by homeless service organizations, meet immediate hunger and hygiene needs of people struggling with homelessness.
This August, HomeAid held two Care Days engaging over 40 volunteers, providing significant financial savings for two metro Atlanta organizations. On August 16, Brightwater Homes volunteered with HomeAid Atlanta at a Care Day at Zaban Paradies Center, which provides housing and programs for couples experiencing homelessness and their dependent children. Care Day tasks included demolition of old kitchen cabinets, painting, new cabinet installation, and more. Atlantis Granite and Marble donated and installed new kitchen countertops to finish the job. HomeAid completed this Care Day to help Zaban prepare for year-round operation later this month. For the last 36 years, Zaban has been open from October to April only. Derwin Davis, Zaban Paradies Center Residential Services Coordinator said, “We greatly appreciate all that Home Aid Atlanta has done.” The August 16 Care Day provided a savings of well over $10,000 for Zaban.
Photos, L-R: Brightwater Homes at Zaban Paradies Center, CareKits delivery with Stacey’s Place at Another Chance of Atlanta, Northview Church at Forsyth County Family Haven, and Atlantis Granite & Marble countertop installation at Zaban Paradies Center.
On August 27, HomeAid hosted volunteers from Roswell’s Northview Church at Forsyth County Family Haven. Work included painting tasks, floor repairs, and more. Forsyth County Family Haven provides safe temporary shelter, individual crisis support, and referral services for victims of violence in Forsyth and North Fulton Counties. The work of volunteers plus Sherwin-Williams’ generous donation of paint provided a savings of nearly $6,000 for Family Haven.
The August 27 Care Day was HomeAid’s eleventh Care Day of the year. So far in 2022, HomeAid Care Days have provided a savings of more than $60,000 in maintenance costs for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. HomeAid has five remaining Care Days planned for this year.
Another Chance of Atlanta started the month of August with 500 HomeAid CareKits, thanks to the collaboration of Rockhaven Homes and Stacey’s Place. Rockhaven Homes employees held a drive to collect feminine hygiene products and other supplies to fill CareKits. In addition to these donations, generous Rockhaven employees raised over $1,100 to purchase additional CareKits items. Throughout July, volunteers from Stacey's Place packed 500 CareKits using supplies from Rockhaven Homes’ donation drives. Stacey's Place serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. On July 29, Stacey's Place helped deliver 500 HomeAid CareKits to Another Chance of Atlanta.
HomeAid has packed and distributed 1,500 CareKits this year, with another 500 or more scheduled for this fall.
HomeAid Atlanta is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001, with a mission to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement, and education. HomeAid builds, renovates, and maintains facilities for nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness. HomeAid has completed over 170 construction projects at locations for victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, veterans and more, utilizing connections with building industry professionals and community organizations. HomeAid also provides essential items like diapers, wipes, and hygiene products to those affected by homelessness. HomeAid is the designated charity of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Learn more at www.homeaidatlanta.org.