Experiencing homelessness is truly frightening. The uncertainty of not knowing if you will have a safe place to sleep, where your next meal will come from, or how to stay out of harsh weather conditions is exhausting and demoralizing. On top of this, many facing homelessness are treated inhumanely, with no one looking them in the eye or calling them by their name for weeks. Unfortunately, this reality is a daily struggle for countless individuals in Atlanta, but our mission is to change that.

The impact of trauma on homeless individuals

More than 80% of individuals facing homelessness have experienced some sort of trauma in their life. These traumas, whether as a result of their homelessness or the cause of it, are significant barriers to healing. They often increase hopelessness and decrease individual agency, making it even more challenging to break free from the cycle of homelessness.

A critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of homelessness is relational poverty. Many men, women, and children we serve lack healthy relationships in their lives and live in isolation. Most of us have someone to turn to when we lose our job or face emotional trauma. Our clients usually have no one to ask for help or support. This absence of connection fosters a profound sense of loneliness, exacerbating their situation. The U.S. Surgeon General has highlighted that lacking connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The physical consequences of poor connection can be devastating. It increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and the risk of stroke by 32%. It also increases the risk of developing dementia by 50% for older adults.

Our multi-layered approach to healing

Addressing this intense trauma and relational poverty requires a multi-layered and unique approach. This is why most of our programs extend beyond the typical 30-day period. Men, women, and children need significant time to heal and move forward. Atlanta Mission provides a safe place to sleep, nutritional meals, and the emotional and spiritual support necessary for true recovery. Through our Transformation Model, we aim to rebuild their sense of dignity, foster healthy relationships, and guide them towards a stable and hopeful future.

Every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and loved. Our goal is to provide a beacon of hope and a path to restoration for those experiencing homelessness in Atlanta. By addressing our clients’ immediate needs and deeper traumas, we strive to break the chains of homelessness and help individuals rebuild their lives on a foundation of faith, community, and support.

To learn more on the 4 stages of our Transformation Model and how it helps our clients get back on their feet, click the button below.