News & Events
Relationships: The Key to Recovery
Listen to the latest episodes of Unseen Atlanta
Discover why relationships are the key to lasting addiction recovery in Atlanta. Hear stories of hope and healing through community on Unseen Atlanta.
Episode 203
Everyone deserves a dream home.
Episode 204
I was ashamed of the impression that I had built in my head.
Episode 205
Finally, a roof.
Episode 206
I love them through it.
Introduction
During National Recovery Month this month, we recognize that recovery is possible, and we honor the people and communities that make it happen. Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes mentors, advocates, employers, and neighbors walking alongside someone as they rebuild.
This month on Unseen Atlanta, we highlight the power of those relationships. Candy found stability through the steady care of her mentor Avis. Kathy opened doors by hiring with dignity. And business leader Justin Landis reminds us that when we invest in people, we invest in Atlanta’s future. Their stories remind us that relationships set the foundation for lasting and meaningful recovery.
Key Insights & Local Context
Why is September significant for recovery?
September is National Recovery Month, a nationwide effort to celebrate the gains made by those in recovery and to raise awareness about the resources that make recovery possible. It’s also a reminder that recovery requires the support of community, mentors, and opportunities that help people rebuild their lives.
Why are relationships so important in recovery?
Because no one heals in isolation. Addiction and homelessness thrive in loneliness, but recovery takes hold when someone steps in with consistency and care. For Candy, that meant having mentors like Avis who didn’t just offer advice but stayed close through the hardest days. As Avis says, “I love them through it.” That steady presence is what makes recovery sustainable—not just a moment of change, but a new way of living.
How do businesses and leaders play a role?
In Atlanta, recovery is stronger when local businesses step in as partners. Kathy Rainwater-Roe shows how employers can transform lives by hiring Atlanta Mission clients, turning job fairs into lasting career paths. Real estate leader Justin Landis challenges Atlanta’s professionals to see investing in people not just as charity, but as good business that strengthens the whole city. Their examples remind us that recovery in Atlanta isn’t the work of nonprofits alone—it takes businesses, leaders, and neighbors linking arms.
Why do these stories matter for Atlanta?
Because they show us that in Atlanta, homelessness and addiction are based in the absence of connection. Lasting recovery comes when Atlantans are surrounded by relationships that restore dignity, open doors to opportunity, and make stability possible.
Why It Matters for Atlanta
Atlanta is a city of growth and opportunity, but rising housing costs and widening income gaps make recovery an uphill climb. In this environment, relationships become even more critical.
The stories of Justin, Kathy, Candy, and Avis show us what recovery really requires: business leaders investing in people, employers opening doors, mentors walking through trauma, and advocates who never give up. Together, they remind us that in Atlanta, lasting recovery is built on relationships.
Resources & Next Steps
The state of homelessness in Atlanta: Atlanta CoC 2024 Point-in-Time Report
Listen: Justin Landis, Ep. 203 + Kathy Rainwater-Roe, Ep. 204 + Candy, Ep. 205 + Avis Jones, Ep. 206
Support transformation: Donate to Atlanta Mission
Learn more about our impact: Read our 2024 Impact Report
Learn about National Recovery Month: SAMHSA
