Daphney & Alana – Life as an Atlanta Mission employee

Each weekday morning, as the sun rises over the city of Atlanta, Alana and Daphney begin their day with prayer—asking God to guide them as they converse with the most vulnerable in our city, women who are facing homelessness.

Alana and Daphney both work at Restoration House, Atlanta Mission’s newest and most innovative shelter for women and children. God has creatively and uniquely prepared both Alana and Daphney for their current roles by instilling in them a passion for ministry with women and children.

Daphney is the Intake Specialist. She screens women seeking admission to Restoration House, first over the phone and then in person. She knows how critical her role is to the women seeking admission. 

“My first prayer when I come in before I get on the phone is, ‘Lord, please give me the discernment that you would like and have your way,’” says Daphney. “Because of course, I want to take myself out of the decision. I would love to tell everybody that calls, ‘Yes, come today, now.’ However, I can’t do that because it’s a disservice to them by just allowing them to come in, knowing that we can’t help them, and then have to eventually send them right back out.” 

Daphney follows a trauma-informed screening process with each client. The screening program helps determine what needs each client has and what they are going through. For example, they must be actively taking their prescribed medications in order to be admitted. 

If they are fleeing a domestic violence situation, they are referred to other shelters that can adequately meet their needs. 

“Basically, I ask myself, can we provide them the services that they need,” says Daphney. “If I don’t feel like we are a long-term fit but they could benefit from staying with us for 30 days, I put them on the short-term track. If it is someone who needs something other than what we can provide, I give them resources for other shelters that can help them.”

‘I know that this is a message from God.’

She constantly sees God at work through her screenings. If she feels that God is leading her, she will ask the client if she can pray with them. Once, she was on the phone with a woman in an active domestic violence situation for 45 minutes. She knew that she was not going to be able to admit her into Restoration House, but she took time out to listen to what she was going through. Daphney told her that we couldn’t take her in, but that we could refer her to other shelters. 

“She got very quiet. And I said, ‘You know, let’s pray about this. Let’s pray.’ I prayed for her and the safety of her and her children. Afterward, she said, ‘That is what I needed today. Everything you prayed for touched on what I am feeling and going through. I know that this is a message from God.’” 

Alana is the Client Resource Specialist. Once clients are accepted via intake, they arrive at Restoration House. Daphney helps determine if they are a good fit for our longer-term program, or if they should be put on our short-term program, called the “Find Hope” track. If they are assigned to the “Find Hope” track, Alana is their main resource. 

They are allowed to stay for 30 days, and she helps get them stable and prepared to go back out into the world. 

“Everyone has a different path that they are on,” says Alana. “I am truly led by the Holy Spirit on how to best assist each client.” 

Dedicated to transforming lives

She helps many of them get an ID, or connects them with government resources. Sometimes she helps them find leads on jobs, or gets them housing assessments or mental health assessments – she tries to do as much as she can to help them get back on their feet in 30 days.

“When I come through the gates in the morning, I leave all the stuff I am dealing with in the car,” says Alana. “I really try to be intentional every day about asking God to order my steps, to go before me, and be able to handle the day’s challenges. He moves mightily. I have not had this experience in my 40-something years of employment as I have had here. God is really doing something different. I am, for the most part, Holy Spirit led.”

Recently, Alana had a client who was really dedicated to transforming her life. While with us, she got a job with an airline and was excited about her future. As her 30 days were coming to an end, she still did not have a place to live. Alana was able to advocate for her and get her an extension. The client came to Alana’s office to talk, and Alana felt the Holy Spirit say “Pray for her.” She asked, and the client said yes. 

“When we got done, she was bawling,” says Alana. “The client said, ‘I didn’t come here for that, but I needed it so bad.’” Both Daphney and Alana are aware of how critical their roles are in the lives of women facing homelessness. They offer a smile, encouragement, prayer, and a way forward in so many women’s lives. Ultimately, they share the love of Christ with each woman they interact with and provide hope to those who desperately need it.