My son was homeless..living in restaurant booths , sleeping sitting up in a booth or getting woke…read moreup by police when he tried sleeping in the woods. Walking around in the rain and cold he felt hopeless..But a friend helped him get into Gateway and they helped him to feel normal to have the basic necessities..They had a counselor a job advisor.He was at Gateway from January until May 16 th NOW Because of Gateway he just moved into his own apartment!!! This man is a totally different person then the one that first walked through those doors!! I'm so thankful and beyond blessed that my son got on his feet to a normal and good life because of GATEWAY!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH GATEWAY!!!

We as a group of 25-30 people went last Saturday for helping the organization with clothes donation…read moreand food donation. This event was organised by ISKCON Temple of Atlanta. I loved serving residents of the Gateway Center and working with their employees. Most of the staff was energetic, helpful and friendly, though there were minor and totally forgivable exceptions. Many services offered but you have to pay close attention to everybody and everything. It is a wonderful place to volunteer for an individual or group. "I am endeavoring to see God through service of humanity; for I know that God is neither in heaven, nor down below, but in everyone." - Mahatma Gandhi Gateway Center is an Non-profit organization in Atlanta, Georgia. Gateway Center is the "gateway" to a continuum of care that helps individuals move out of homelessness. Gateway Center works to end homelessness in Metro Atlanta through therapeutic program and community collaboration. Located at 275 Pryor Street in Atlanta, Georgia, the Gateway Center is a keystone project of the Regional Commission on Homelessness' effort to impact chronic homelessness. The Gateway Center is designed to serve as the "gateway" to the community continuum of care that helps individuals move out of homelessness. Gateway Center provides 352 beds for men who enter into programs geared to address the underlying reasons for their homelessness, such as unemployment, addictions, mental illness or domestic abuse. They strive to provide a supportive and IAMCHANGED setting where individuals can receive the tools they need to end their homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency. In their 10 years of operation they have served 35,100+ individuals. 500+ individuals served daily. 108,000+ Meals served. 10,000+ medical services provided. 48,000+ clothing closet visits. It helps people in the hardest times of there life on it's mission to end homelessness.

do not donate to this shelter please they are terrible…read moretreat the women /families as if they are in jail or treat them like they homeless (individuals) when they are supposed to be a godly shelter they serve old expired food to the ladies also have a roach infestation even though it looks good its not everything that looks good is not good for you and they dont really help families or give them the resources to get back on there feet as they supposed or as it seems they should the employees talk to the clients with no real respect as any person should have i mean very disrespectful and make your time there harder then it should be and its really sad and depression to alot of ladies i talked to within my stay there do not go or donate to this shelter they getting reported to the state as well they dont use the money correctly and need to fire the staff dont support this place go somewhere else like salvation army ,gateway to give money or get shelter !!!

I don't feel that I am the best suited person to comment on this shelter or its day to day…read moreoperations. What I feel I can comment on is that the staff was very polite and helpful when I arrived to drop off a donation for the women and children who seek assistance and some form of normality from the shelter. A very nice lady welcomed me at the door with a smile before proceeding to retrieve a rolling bin from beyond the back office. We chatted briefly as she accompanied me to my car and collected my donations. From our limited conversation, I was told that she's been working at the shelter for about 3 years. Out of respect for her and the work that the staff at the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women & Children do, their names will not be appearing here but their work speaks the clarity of their commitment and humility. These unselfish humanitarians are beacons for what it means to work for the greater good of humankind. One of the many commendable things about the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women & Children is their obvious commitment to making a genuine difference in the community. My actions today, albeit small in comparison have the potential to significantly impact the well-being of people less fortunate and that alone makes the effort of giving worth it. I will most definitely be returning to the Shelter to make additional donations from time to time. It is our responsibility as our brothers and sisters keepers to remember that no matter how tough you think you have it, someone else is facing challenges tougher than you ever imagined.

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.

A lot of people don't know about Our House, but what the staff does is amazing. Our House is a…read moreplace where homeless families can get childcare for their children as they go and seek jobs, housing and other basic needs to get themselves back on their feet again. I volunteered last summer. The first time I went, I read to some 3 and 4 year olds. I almost cried when one of the kids asked me if I lived in a house. When I said yes, her eyes lit up and she said, "Really? I want to live in one, too." If I could have put all of those kids and their families into an apartment that day, I would have. Our House always needs volunteers AND donations, so help them out however you can.

I donated clothes and money to them today and I was touched by the environment and their…read morepurpose/goals. I walked in and everyone was really nice and very appreciative. The kids were happy and that was such a delight. If you read this, please make a donation. No donation is too small and little drops of water will turn into a pond. Also, volunteer if you have the time. God bless you!

WONDER-FULL!!! I am one of six sisters born to my parents. I know the great spirit that connects…read moreus--ALL!!! I read over the website, I felt ever so grateful for the works the Sisters perform. I sincerely look forward to joining their efforts! I Stand. I SALUTE!!!

This was one of the best volunteer experiences that I've ever had. What I participated in was…read morecalled Mural Painters at the Carpenter's House. I found the event via the Hands On Atlanta Website. (Check my review for that. http://www.yelp.com/biz/hands-on-atlanta-atlanta) I arrived expecting to paint large murals on walls. Instead I found that the artist was actually there to explain that we would be painting murals, together with the residents of the Atlanta Union Mission, on large canvases that would eventually be hung together. Fabulous!! I loved the interaction that this encouraged. The artist, I can't remember his name, takes 6 large canvases and draws a mural across all of them. Then he puts dots of paint in each section so that volunteers and residents can fill it in later. It's a twist on the paint by number thing. He then ships the murals to some 128 different countries to beautify hospitals. He believes that art is therapeutic. It's good for those of us who paint it and those who view it. Anyway, I sat for about 2 hours talking with residents while doing my favorite thing: painting. It was wonderful to talk to the guys about their lives and share a little of mine. At the end of the 2 hours, I felt like I had grown as a person. (I know it sounds sappy, but it's true.)

I have supported this charity for many years and can't say enough about their fine work providing…read morefood and shelter for the homeless. Highly recommend!

My stay at Decatur Cooperative Ministries was difficult mainly because of the rude and…read moreunprofessional behavior I experienced from Ms. Betty Woods. In my experience, her tone toward residents was often disrespectful, and her actions made many of us feel uncomfortable and unheard. I filed multiple grievances about her behavior to the Director, Ms. White, but I did not see any action taken. Other residents and outside organizations also raised concerns, yet nothing seemed to change. During resident meetings, Ms. Woods made comments that felt like she was mocking residents for filing complaints, which added to the frustration. Overall, I felt that Ms. Woods' rude and unprofessional conduct created a stressful environment, and the lack of response from leadership made residents feel like our concerns did not matter.

Rude staff who abuses their authority with single mothers…read more Dear Cliff Richards, My name is Alexis Lewis, and I was a resident at Hagar's House with my children. I am writing to formally report and request review of what I believe was a wrongfully discharge from the shelter by my case manager, Betty Woods. Today, Saturday March 28, 2026 I was asked to leave the shelter with my children. I was not given a clear or fair explanation, nor was I provided proper notice or an opportunity to resolve the issue. Being put out in this manner has placed me and my children in an unsafe and unstable condition. As a mother with children, I believe this situation handled improperly and without consideration of our safety and well being. I am requesting: 1. A written explanation of why I was discharged 2. A copy of the shelter's grievance/appeal policy 3. A formal review of my case and the actions taken by staff 4. Possible reinstatement or assistance with immediate placement. I look forward to your prompt response. Thank you in advance.

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.