How SafeHouse Outreach is Continuing to Serve the Underserved in Atlanta during COVID-19
“If what we’re doing isn’t providing you with dignity, then we’re not really serving you” – Josh Bray, CEO of SafeHouse Outreach.
SafeHouse Outreach’s Approach
Pre-COVID-19
SafeHouse Outreach was founded in 1982 in Atlanta, Georgia to provide services to those living in extreme poverty, particularly those living in homelessness. The organization provides immediate needs such as hot meals in a comforting environment as well as other services to guide individuals onto a better, more stable path. Utilizing their pyramid of self-sufficiency, SafeHouse Outreach has had a tremendous impact on the city of Atlanta.
COVID-19 Response
As a result of the shelter-in-place order from the Georgia state government, many non-profits working with vulnerable communities in the city were forced to temporarily suspend their services.
Meal Relief: Before the pandemic, there were numerous organizations providing evening meals to Atlanta’s unsheltered community. As of early May 2020, SafeHouse is the only organization still providing meals to those in need in the downtown area. Consequently, demand has increased significantly. SafeHouse went from providing approximately 120 meals every evening to more than 300 meals every evening. While they can no longer seat clients in their 120 person dining room at their office, they are able to provide hot meals in portable containers for unsheltered Atlantans.
Housing Assistance: Typically, SafeHouse focuses on helping people find more permanent housing. However, with many government offices closed and employers laying off workers, clients who had plans to move into permanent housing can no longer do so. SafeHouse has been able to step in and provide financial assistance to help with rent or other forms of temporary accommodation.
Immediate Needs: While they do provide more long-term services, SafeHouse has been helping provide supplies during this difficult time. Whether it’s providing clothing, blankets or even bottles of water, SafeHouse is working tirelessly to ensure that needs are still being met. SafeHouse has also been able to provide some individuals counseling while maintaining social distancing.
Getting Clients Home: “We’ve had a lot of people express that they just want to go home to family” said CEO Josh Bray. SafeHouse has been able to help clients get in contact with family in other states and provide them with bus tickets to their destination. While many people have the means to afford a bus or train ticket, Josh says “It’s a different story for a lot of our people on the streets.”
Information: While many of those who are sheltering in place in their homes have access to cable news, many unsheltered people do not. As a result, clients are not aware of new protocols or the progress of the pandemic. Additionally, many unsheltered people struggle with mental health issues, which has increased their feelings of fear and paranoia. SafeHouse has been trying to give clients the most up to date information they have to fight misinformation and reduce fear.
Looking Ahead
As restrictions are being lifted, SafeHouse is hoping to slowly reopen some of their facilities. They are hoping to reopen their Path Room to allow clients to briefly get out of the elements and also access their restrooms facilities, with proper social distancing measures. As the pandemic evolves in the city, they hope to adjust their reopening accordingly. SafeHouse plans to remain as flexible as possible so that they can adjust as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state of Georgia protocols change.
Lessons for Others
Bray encourages non-profits to “be a good community member before you need to be a good community member.” Going above and beyond to help other organizations not only builds relationships but encourages an environment of mutual support and compassion. He also encourages nonprofits to remain optimistic about funding. While it can seem like organizations are competing for funding and resources, Bray argues that “if your mission is vital to the community, your community will see it and it will get funded.”
Josh Bray is the CEO of SafeHouse Outreach
For more information about SafeHouse Outreach please visit: https://www.safehouseoutreach.org/
