Community Ministries Newsletter: November
November 1, 2024
We are excited to bring you the latest edition of the Community Ministries newsletter! 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 our services in the Smith Building, our new partnership with Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, new volunteer opportunities, a staff and client spotlight, and much much more!
Smith Building Updates: Haircuts
Thanks to a new partnership with Atlanta Technical College, Community Ministries is thrilled to begin offering haircuts to clients! Up to 8 individuals a night can receive a haircut on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5pm to 7pm. Barbering services will be offered on the first floor of the Smith building with the support of Community Ministries staff. Community Ministries is excited to see this partnership with ATC come to fruition and the impact it will have on clients!
New Volunteer Opportunities: Food Market, Foot Care, & Prayer Team
food Market
Since its opening in September, Community Ministries is thrilled to invite the entire congregation to volunteer in the newly renovated Venable Food Market! Volunteers in the Food Market assist with sorting and stocking shelves, helping clients select groceries, and bagging items for clients. Shifts are available every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you're interested in volunteering, please sign up here!
foOt Care
Community Ministries is excited to be restarting the historic Foot Care Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta! This essential service supports our neighbors, many of whom rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation. Our Foot Care volunteers provide non-clinical care, helping to keep clients' feet clean, healthy, and comfortable. If you’re interested in volunteering with Foot Care, please complete the inquiry form here!
Prayer team
We are bringing prayer back to the prayer breakfast! Every Sunday, our clients at the breakfast have an opportunity to fill out prayer cards. We are in need of volunteers of any age who feel a call to pray over these requests throughout the week. You can either pick up the prayer requests on Sunday from 8:30-10:00am or Monday from 1-3 from the Community Ministries Mail Room, or they can be scanned to your email address. If you’re interested in volunteering, please sign up here!
Community Ministries Volunteer Christmas Party
Partner Spotlight: Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency
ACSS is one of the largest and most successful providers of Workforce Development resources to Atlanta residents. Since 2010, their programs have served more than 2,500 people, and more than 1,500 have obtained full-time employment. Their mission is “to empower financially vulnerable individuals in our community to become self-sufficient, sustainably employed contributors to society.” Their work is “driven by a clear purpose and a compelling vision for a more equitable future.”
The biggest thing they strive to do is help clients who want to get a job. Their Boot Camps are one of the best ways to accomplish this. A Boot Camp consists of presentations that let people know the best way to show up to job interviews and how to improve their digital skills. These Boot Camps also teach decision making, resumes, elevator speeches, and financial management. Outside of Boot Camps, the ACSS coaches work one-on-one to help clients find jobs and other employment resources. ACSS is currently expanding outreach to go where people already go for other services, to give them more options in terms of where they can receive assistance and support.
We are proud and thankful to be partnering with the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency! Because of this partnership, we have been able to offer our clients classes on computer literacy and one-on-one assistance.
Women’s Transformation Center & Donation Needs
The construction of the WTC is now complete, and preparations for our winter opening are in full swing. To ensure a welcoming and comfortable environment for our future residents, we are stocking essential items specifically tailored to meet their needs. Our goal is to provide everything necessary to create a restful space that supports their journey towards self-sufficiency.
We invite you to support this initiative by considering a donation from our Amazon Wishlist. Your generous contributions will play a vital role in making the WTC a hospitable home for the women we serve. Thank you in advance for your support!
Staff Spotlight: Beverly Heath
What is your role with Community Ministries?
I currently serve as a Ministry Coordinator, handling a range of administrative and volunteer duties, and ensuring my department and team are organized. From volunteering at the Sunday Morning Prayer breakfast, to ordering supplies, revamping the filing system and filling in as an appointment setter for our Community Ministries Case Management services, I basically fill the role of an office manager. I work to be the go-to person for whatever my team needs. However, If I can’t get it, I find someone who can. I strive to offer encouragement and foster; I try to keep the spirits up around here.
Within the church, I manage the room and space reservations using the Planning Center tool. It also includes reservations for facilities set ups and any audio-visual resources you need. I am also responsible for updating access for our building and our parking deck.
What drew you into working with First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta?
During a job search I discovered the position at First Presbyterian. Because I previously worked at Habitat for Humanity, I wanted to remain in the non-profit sector, and when the opportunity to work at the church, it fit perfectly with my goals.
What drew you in to working with Community Ministries?
Tricia recommended that I join the team. I have been with the church since January 2018 and as a result of restructuring, administrative roles were being consolidated. Community Ministries’ Administrator had recently resigned and Tricia saw an opportunity to bring me onboard.
I love working with the Community Ministries team. It has allowed me to have access to the people portion of what this church does. I am able to see and have a hand in the client experience, which is what I love to do. Being able to see what is happening firsthand has been really uplifting and makes me continue to want to do it.
How long have you been with Community Ministries?
I only came on board August 2023, but my transition into the department has been so seamless, it feels like I’ve been a part of this team forever!
What is your favorite part about working within Community Ministries?
I really love working with this team because it has allowed me to connect with the clients through prayer, which I feel is a part of my calling. It has been an opportunity to minister and to build a rapport and genuine relationship with our clients, learning their names and some of their stories, and seeing them as more than faces and names on a paper.
There is a sense of purpose to the work here and I feel like I contribute to it. We see people struggling to survive, and it is a privilege to be a part of changing their stories for the better and hopefully inspiring them to do better on their own. It is really an uplifting job. This team genuinely cares, and to be a part of that is amazing. They go the extra mile, and it inspires me to also go the extra mile.
We are blessed to have Beverly here with us at Community Ministries! Thank you for all that you do for us and all of the prayers you have shared. It would not be the same without you!
Client Spotlight: Marcus
How long have you been coming to CM?
Oh gosh, I cannot remember... since 2018
What made you choose CM?
Things had just gone downhill. I was sleeping in Midtown, and someone stole my shoes. Midtown police department was doing their rounds, and I told them what happened. They told me to go down to 16th street since they have a closet. I walked here on my tip toes, literally. I got here and met Lincoln and it’s been a wrap ever since!
Those police officers didn’t have to say anything. They went out of their way to make sure I had the information I needed. I have seen them since, and I have thanked them every time. The lady officer would advocate and tell everyone about First Presbyterian when she saw someone in need.
What made you stick around?
Quite a few things. The services, the people, meeting Tricia and the other staff at the time. Everything that the church does for us and the community. I loved coming to the morning breakfast. It was a reminder of the things I needed to handle during the week.
What made you want to volunteer here?
I was volunteering at another church that closed down; I started coming here more often. I thought maybe I should switch my volunteer time over here because I had a bunch of ideas for improvements. I asked Tricia, she talked to Jacob, and now here I am.
What service is your favorite to volunteer?
Clothing closet because my background is fashion retail, so I am familiar with the whole look. I was at it for 15 years, did high-end and low-end, tons of companies. The clients now come to me for advice quite often!
We are thankful for Marcus and all that he has done and is doing to help Community Ministries!
Winter Clothing Drive
With colder weather comes a new need for our unhoused neighbors many of whom lack access to warm clothing. As temperatures dip ,access to warm clothing such as coats, hats, and gloves become crucial to our neighbors wellbeing.
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta is committed to helping the unhoused in our community with a Winter Drive! Community Ministries would like to stock up on warm winter clothing for our clients to be a little more comfortable and safer outside. Any items donated should be new or gently used and clean.
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Winter Coats
Pull Overs
Puffer Coats
Hoodies
Fleece Jackets
Sweaters
Thermal Tops
Thermal Pants
Winter Socks
Gloves
Mittens
Winter Boots
Sleeping Bags
Wool Blankets
Comforters
Hot Hands
Donations can be dropped off:
Sunday’s between 8:00am & 1:00pm.
Monday through Thursday between 9:00am & 3:00pm
In the designated bins located in the Smith Building Lobby.
Sizes:
We need a mixture of sizes for to best fit our clients’ needs.
If possible, unisex items are best!