Rediscovering Hope

“I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world. It’s brought me closer to God.”

Thank you for helping Shane experience the goodness of God and as he is rediscovering hope at Atlanta Mission!

Shane never imagined he would one day find himself sleeping on the streets.

He had grown up in a stable family north of Atlanta in Pickens County, was involved in church, and had a steady job for a marble company. But when he became disabled, his life turned upside down.

“That was hard, as a man, accepting that you can’t work anymore. Or you can’t do as good as you used to do,” Shane says.

Without a home and without hope

He was so despondent, he attempted suicide. One thing led to another, and he found himself in Atlanta with no place to call home.

He remembers one night he spent trying to sleep on the steps of a church on Ponce de Leon Avenue, with everything he owned in one backpack and one duffel bag.

“I slept with my arms through my backpack and my head on my duffel bag because I was scared to death it would get stolen,” he says. “Even as big a guy as I am, I was still scared that somebody would come in there and try to take my stuff.”

When Shane learned through a friend that there might be room at The Shepherd’s Inn at Atlanta Mission, he jumped at the chance. He says his experience has been eye-opening.

“Now I understand”

“Before I came down here, if I saw a homeless person, I’d cross the street. But now, I understand,” Shane says. “I always thought people that didn’t want to work were shifty and just wanted people to give them things. But a lot of them, it’s just people that had one piece of bad luck and they’ve ended up here.”

Shane has served in several roles during his time at The Shepherd’s Inn. He’s currently serving as the receptionist at the front desk and welcomes new clients. Shane’s looking forward to reuniting with his sons, getting a place of his own and finding a job he can physically manage.

“Every day, I can’t wait to get back home so I can see my boys and be with them,” he says.

He’s also looking for opportunities to get connected with a church to give back through volunteering.

“It’s brought me closer to God.”

While he is eager to get out on his own, Shane is thankful for his time at Atlanta Mission.

I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world,” he says. “It’s brought me closer to God. And there’s a lot of good guys here. I’ve made friends that I think I’ll keep forever.”

Thank you! Your generosity helps make inspiring stories like Shane’s possible and helps those on their journey of rediscovering hope at Atlanta Mission.

An exciting, new opportunity for you!

The blessing of monthly partnership

You’re invited to join a very special group of donors who have all chosen to do a bold thing. They’ve all said they will become a monthly supporter of Atlanta Mission. We call them Heroes of Hope.

You can do this bold thing too!

Our generous friends at Anisa International, believe so strongly in our mission to provide food and care for hurting families, they have offered a special Matching Challenge to inspire you.

When you commit to give monthly, Anisa will double any gift you give– dollar for dollar– for the entire year, up to the $25,000 limit.

As a Hero of Hope, your monthly gift will provide men, women, and children facing homelessness with a warm welcome, a meal, and loving care. For those in our care, like Shane, your gift can help them on their journey of rediscovering hope at Atlanta Mission.

And because of the Matching Challenge, you’ll have TWICE the impact.

Take a look at all your generosity will provide:

Because of the Matching Challenge, the impact of your gifts will DOUBLE.

Will you celebrate with us?

Dear Friend,

As we look back on the past year, we see that even in the midst of the pandemic, God continued to transform people’s lives. Thank you for giving generously and allowing us to serve those in critical need in a very difficult time!

We are excited to see how God will continue to transform lives at Atlanta Mission in the year ahead.

After a year of focusing primarily on safety and emergency services, we are returning to normal operations so we can leverage successes like these:

• We have resumed our job training program, Atlanta Mission Next Steps, which helps our clients learn critical vocational skills and obtain employment.
• At The Potter’s House, our long-term recovery facility, we saw lives transformed as men actively worked on their addiction. This year, we will be launching an addiction-recovery program at our women’s campus.
• Our new 100-bed shelter, Restoration House, is scheduled to open this summer, allowing us to expand our capacity and services for women and children.

You’ve been part of miracles!

In 2021, we’ll celebrate our 83rd year of providing services in our great city– services made possible because of your generosity!

As you look to 2021, may you be encouraged and celebrate what God has for you, for our team, and for each individual that He will bring to our door this year!

Blessings,

Jim Reese, President & CEO