Community Ministries Newsletter
Saturday, February, 10th, 2024
Welcome! This initial newsletter is an exciting opportunity for the congregation at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta to take a closer look at the ongoings of Community Ministries and the incredible ways one can get involved! Community Ministries is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness and those in transition in Midtown Atlanta and beyond. Every week, Community Ministries can expect to serve over 600 clients through social services, feeding ministries, the Clothing Corner, the Hospitality Closet, and the Mailroom.
Read on for updates on the Smith Building, the success of last month’s MLK Day workday, and the awesome volunteer opportunities available for those looking to connect with the church community while helping our neighbors!
Updates on the Smith Building: The First Floor & The Clothing Corner
Construction is ongoing in the Smith Building. The first floor, which contains the Charles Black and Connie Lee Community Ministries Center housing the Food Market, Hospitality Closet, Clothing Corner, and mailroom, is complete with the final touches being put in place. The third floor is also finished with work continuing on the second and fourth floors. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who have played a crucial role in the ongoing transition of the Clothing Corner to the Smith Building. We have successfully initiated operations in the new Clothing Corner, formerly the Clothing Closet, on a limited basis, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Volunteers and clients alike appreciate the new space, fostering a renewed sense of gratitude for the impactful work conducted in the Clothing Corner. Tracie and Fenton, two of our first clients in the Clothing Corner, were grateful for the new space and the opportunity it provided them to freely ‘shop’ for new clothing. Tracie and Fenton are just a few of the clients we have served in the new Clothing Corner: In just the past two weeks, both volunteers and staff have served over 40 clients in the Clothing Corner!
Donations of clothes are still needed for the Clothing Corner. Community Ministries will accept donations of used clothing items that are in good condition, as well as used shoes, belts, and bags. If you are interested in donating clothes, shoes, or accessories, please email Jacob Ivey at jivey@firstpresatl.org.
Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of the second, and fourth floors as construction continues!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Workday
Thanks to leadership of volunteer Caroline Wainright and the support of the Community Ministries Council the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Workday was a huge success! We had over 70 volunteers in attendance, ranging in ages, working diligently on a variety of projects including blanket making, putting together hospitality bags, organizing the Clothing Corner, making sandwiches, organizing the library, and stocking the Hospitality Closet. Volunteers also had the opportunity to hear a wonderfully informative presentation from Community Ministries Director Tricia Passuth on the challenges faced by our clients and the reality of homelessness in Atlanta.
While services on the first floor of the newly renovated Smith Building and Charles Black and Connie Lee Community Ministries Center are yet to open, except for the Clothing Corner, everything is set up, thanks to the incredible efforts on MLK Day. The Hospitality Closet and library are fully stocked and ready for operation once the building opens. Thank you to everyone who volunteered on MLK Day! It is volunteers like you that make what Community Ministries does possible!
Volunteer Role spotlight: The Clothing Corner
Volunteers play a crucial role in our Clothing Corner, acting as greeters and personal shoppers for Community Ministries clients who use the Clothing Corner. Additionally volunteers assist in keeping records and restocking clothing. The Clothing Corner is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Since operating in the new Smith Building, the Clothing Corner offers clean clothes to Community Ministries clients in a market-style setting. Clients can freely choose which items of clothing they would like and even try them on in our fitting room.
The Clothing Corner is an excellent space to interact with clients directly in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Volunteering in the Clothing Corner is also fun if you have a good sense of fashion, love for shopping and enjoy interacting with other volunteers!
Click here to sign up for a volunteer shift in the Clothing Corner that fits your schedule!