BCM is a blessing to the community they serve. I am proud to have had the opportunity to go through…read moretheir 70/30 Money Management Program. My family and I have learned how to better manage our money and clean up our credit and it is a blessing to be able to pass the information on. They are always there to lend a hand or get you through even if it's just a listening ear and prayer. I love all those that I have came in contact with through BCM.

I know this group is trying to help people, but it is harshly bureaucratic and demeaning to those…read morewho come for help. It comes off as un-Christian. One must call to arrange an appointment to apply for food assistance. But there is no way to leave a message. The phone is manned a few hours a day and always busy. So a hungry family goes hungry. It's heartbreaking. I was buying groceries and pet food for an unemployed person who also did not have a car. I was referred to this charity and did my best to get further help. Finally, after 2 of us called repeatedly for days, one of us got through. The lady was able to get a sack of non-perishable foods. If I hadn't been available for that appointment to take her there, she wouldn't have gotten anything. BCM is not a good option for a needy person due to bad management. I would not donate to it until they get their act together.

I visited UMCH as a volunteer for their garage sale. Parking and check in were easy. As you checked…read morein, they assigned you to a specific task, such as parking, loading assistance, email listserv, kitchen, etc. Volunteers are allowed to take breaks when needed and morning shift people can grab lunch in the volunteer cafeteria once done. When your shift is over, take a look around and shop. Pricing of the items is great. I found a pair of shoes, puzzles for my brother, games, and few other small things. I plan to revisit again as both volunteer and shopper.

This is a great place to get great deals. They are open every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m…read more and the third Saturday of every month except December from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All proceeds go to the United Methodist Children's Home to help foster children.

i contributed a fairly large amount of money last year. So far I can't get a reply to requests for…read moreacknowledgement of the donation - for tax purposes. They don't respond to emails or texts.

Hands On Atlanta Day is always a success with thousands of volunteers across the city assisting…read moreservice and school organization. Typically held on the first Saturday in October, I participated in Hands On Atlanta Day several years in a row by doing arts and crafts and planting shrubberies at a local Grant Park school. Hands on Atlanta serves the community year round. They help by uplifting and building lower income zones, food banks, senior homes, schools, pet shelters, parks, etc. Hands On Atlanta holds volunteer orientations twice a month. To get involved visit www.handsonatlanta.com.

First time ever being tested so it was slightly nerve wracking at first. It was a great experience…read more It didn't take too long. Scanned the QR and filled out the required information. Waited for a few and then I gave a urine sample, got my mouth swabbed, and finger pricked in about 30 minutes. The workers were very helpful and friendly.

I have worked at Annandale for almost 3 years and have loved working with the staff, villagers and…read morefamilies. The grounds are beautiful - from the walking trail, to multiple gardens, fountains and landscaping. There are many activities for those living at Annandale. Some include: an indoor pool, fitness center, art classes, music classes, horticulture program, and an arcade filled with games and activities to name only a few. If you've considered contacting Annandale for your loved one, please do! It's an amazing place.

Love this facility. They have some of the best and brightest healthcare professionals in the…read morebusiness.

Great people, serving their community! I'm a senior, and here at my residence, Dream Chasers 21 has…read morebeen generously providing meals to us twice a week! We are very grateful for their kindness and caring!!

Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta was brilliant. In the process of moving, there were some bulky…read moreitems we were trying to get rid of without throwing away, and we were recommended the Furniture bank! We loaded up a U-haul and backed it right up to their drop off garage. Staff immediately came up and asked what we were delivering. We said the whole load and they proceeded to pull things off no questions asked. What we thought was cool is they take used mattresses. We asked and confirmed again if this was true before bringing it and yes, if you have a mattress, they will wrap it in a protective sealed layer, making a mattress that may have a few stains and such a viable mattress again for those in need. When speaking with staff, we found out their great cause. Taken from their website, their mission: "To recycle gently-used furniture by collecting it from the community and giving it to individuals and families moving out of homelessness and fleeing domestic violence, as well as countless others struggling to make ends meet." This entire charity is powered by volunteers who give their time to help their community, and when you look at all of the rows of furniture items that have been loaded by volunteers for people needing that extra help, it makes you (or it made us) feel much better about dropping the things off that we no longer needed. Just a note, we delivered because at the time we were told that delivery would be about 1 month out. If you have to be out relatively soon, give these guys a heads up much sooner in the moving process. Great group, great cause and if you live anywhere near the Atlanta area and have some furniture you're looking to get rid of, give the Furniture Bank a call!

Very nice young men. They weren't trained as well as I thought they should be?…read moreAlmost knocked my fan off the ceiling and did knock the light fixture in the hallway off Not sure why they didn't take my. Ed and headboard after I had paid to have it fully disassembled

The City of Refuge is located in the most dangerous zip code in all of Georgia per capita - 30014…read more(Atlanta's West Side). Within this complex are a host of individual ministries that have come together for the hope of transforming lives in the community; primarily homeless women. My family and I just completed a weekend serving as volunteers @ the City of Refuge and I have simply been blown away by the experience. THE SCENE In 1970, an organization called "Mission Possible" started a feeding program in Atlanta. By 1997 it was re-incorporated as CITY OF REFUGE. In 2003 Pastor Bruce approached the owners of 200,000+ sq ft abandoned warehouse that was in bad repair. The owners wanted 1.6 million dollars, but Pastor Bruce asked if they would consider donating it instead. As you might expect, he was rejected. However, 6 months later the owners did indeed gift the warehouse and its 8 acre tract to the City of Refuge. Relocating to this space would allow them to expand services & reach more people, not only offering a refuge from crisis, but a place to restore their health, self-respect & transition into lives of personal responsibility, value & independence. But that was not without its challenges. Pastor Bruce petitioned the Atlanta City Council for a license as a homeless shelter. He was denied... TWICE! Two years later in 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans & Atlanta found itself hosting thousands of displaced families. Space was desperately needed. Shirley Franklin (the mayor at the time) called Bruce to asked if he would consider being a shelter. Pastor Bruce explained he'd petitioned the city twice before and was rejected. Shortly after this phone call, City of Refuge was cleared to operate as a homeless shelter. The shelter provides: - Emergency shelter - 40 individual, hotel-style units for mothers w/children - Single women's shelter (100 beds) - Unwed teenage mothers - Young females rescued from sex trafficking (short term) - and currently under construction is long term care for sex trafficking victims who cannot be placed at other shelters due to criminal records or mental illness. On site, these ladies have access to a wide variety of benefits including lawyers, child care, schools, case managers, after school programs, job training, medical/dental clinics and transition into permanent housing. All of which operate behind a secure metal gate where even the Security Guard has an amazing testimony. Students from nearby Georgia Tech and Morris Brown College regularly help tutor the young students living here. Kindred Spirits House is the name of the section of the shelter that provides housing for teenage moms who were in the foster system, but have no family support. These moms are allowed to stay one year after their baby is born. In that time they work on receiving a high school diploma, practical mothering skills and healthy delivery. Two very impressive opportunities for growth and job placement are the culinary classes and auto mechanics program: The culinary class teaches valuable culinary skills that have helped 100% of its participants get jobs in Atlanta restaurants. Atlanta is experiencing a huge food renaissance and the need for skilled cooks is HUGE. The program also offers catering & a food truck as a way to help fund this educational benefit! NAPA auto parts chain partnered with City of Refuge to build an on-site auto mechanics shop as part of their job training program. Here is where the City of Refuge reaches out to the male population in the surrounding community as well as its female residence. If accepted into the program, NAPA guarantees jobs to all graduates of this 6 month mechanics course. THE EXPERIENCE We volunteered for a weekend through the 'overnight experience' ministries called RestorationATL (RATL for short). The motto of this ministry is to spend time WITH the residents and not just come in and drop off money or gifts and say "have a nice life" as you leave. We had the entire weekend to getting to know many of these ladies and their wonderful children. Just being here to help with the kids and give them much needed attention and kindness was a blessing. Mom's get a chance to breathe and socialize, kids get new playmates and all get to experience what it feels like to be part of building a community. Look for my RATL review coming soon for the details of our experience. FINAL THOUGHTS The goal of this ministry is simple. Develop a plan of action and set time frames for the achievement of those plans which address employment, housing, educational, physical/mental health, and child-related needs of all residents. Volunteers are expected to practice modeling love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control when serving (Gal 5:22-23). The level of commitment here is unmatched to anything I've ever seen in an urban setting. If you have ever considered making a difference, this is a wonderful place to start.

It is with profound gratitude and deep humility that I reflect upon my time with The House of…read moreCherith and City of Refuge. After facing unforeseen and traumatic experiences, this organization became the very sanctuary and place of restoration I desperately needed. The staff, each one a true blessing, exemplified extraordinary dedication and grace. Their commitment was nothing short of a divine appointment; they poured their care and spiritual guidance into me like no other. We must give all the glory to God for utilizing every individual within this organization to genuinely minister to and love the brokenhearted who seek refuge here. They embraced me exactly where I was in my journey, providing an atmosphere where I could rediscover solace, peace, tranquility, dignity, and integrity, but most importantly, unconditional love. Because of their unwavering support, grounded in faith, I have been able to look onward and forward, never back. The fellowship we built was a testament to perseverance a family connection that, while not always easy, was always achievable. For the genuine love, the steadfast support, and the restorative family environment fostered by The House of Cherith and City of Refuge, I am eternally grateful.