Bridging the Gap: Highlighting Athens Organizations for the Unhoused
PABLO ASHI —
According to the 2023 Athens-Clarke County Point in Time Count, 47% of individuals surveyed were unsheltered. The PIT Count provides a snapshot into the percentage of sheltered and unsheltered individuals on a given night, meaning the actual numbers may be significantly higher. Alarmingly, the 2023 count reflected a 20% increase from 2022, highlighting a growing crisis in the Athens community.
Homelessness is a complex issue and can have effects on all aspects of a person’s life, including their health. Not only are those experiencing homelessness exposed to harsh weather and other environmental risks, but they also face barriers to accessing consistent care, nutritious food, and mental health support. As a member of the Backpack Project of Athens, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with individuals directly impacted by this issue and have learned not only their individual stories but also about the network of organizations working tirelessly to address their needs.
While being a college student can oftentimes feel like living in a bubble, our community extends far beyond campus boundaries. Athens has numerous organizations that seek to address homelessness, from providing immediate necessities to offering long-term support for housing and healthcare assistance. Thus, in this article, I want to highlight some organizations you can get involved in to make a difference:
1. The Backpack Project of Athens
Description: The Backpack Project of Athens aims to ease the burden of homelessness through weekly meal deliveries, street outreach, road cleanups, backpack packing, and the organization of an annual free resource fair.
Get Involved: Interested students must attend mandatory volunteer training before having the ability to sign up for Saturday meals and road cleanups. Many clubs and other organizations at UGA may also partner with TBP/ATH to organize packing events at the link above! If you wish to be more deeply involved, you may apply to become a staff member at the beginning of each school year.
Description: One of Athens’s local community shelters, Bigger Vision of Athens, provides up to 36 individuals with a safe bed, two meals, showers, and laundry services each and every night. The building also provides a temporary warming shelter during inclement weather and functions as a stop for supply donations.
Get Involved: Bigger Vision seeks evening and meal volunteers! Evening shifts are from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and involve serving and cleaning up dinner, managing the bin room where guests’ belongings are stored, and helping with other important tasks to ensure smooth operations. Meal volunteers prepare or purchase enough food to feed 36 guests and then deliver it to the shelter between 5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., and have the opportunity to stay and serve guests directly from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
3. Athens PBJs
Description: Athens PBJs seeks to foster community and build friendships between the non-homeless and those experiencing homelessness through a weekly shared meal.
Get Involved: PBJ gathers weekly at the corner of College Avenue and Clayton Street in downtown Athens and at other locations throughout the year; visit their website for updated locations!
Description: Mercy Health Center serves Athens’s underinsured and low-income populations by providing free healthcare and dental services. Qualifying patients must be completely uninsured, at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, and a resident of Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oglethorpe, and Oconee counties.
Get Involved: Mercy Health Center has opportunities to volunteer for the Welcome Team, medical interpreting staff, and potential medical and dental assistant experience. Applications open at the beginning of each semester, depending on availability.
Description: Family Promise helps families experiencing homelessness achieve independence through rental, utility, and shelter assistance, as well as one-on-one guidance.
Get Involved: Volunteering for Family Promise requires you to sign up and complete online training videos. They also seek interns for those who wish to have a deeper involvement, but services are tailored to meet guests’ needs, including making meals, driving families, and engaging in family activities.
The organizations above represent only a portion of Athens’ dedicated network of supportive services and programs. By getting involved, you can help bridge the gap between UGA and the community, making a real difference in the lives of Athens residents.
Copy Editor: Aubrey Taylor
Photography Source: https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/homeless-shelter