A Letter from the Kennedy Family

Dear Atlanta Children’s Shelter,

I would like to take a moment of your time to thank you for your hard work and efforts that are displayed on a daily basis towards my son and I.  I can attest that since my son has been in attendance at the Atlanta Children’s Shelter he has transformed into a different child.  When my son, Samuel, was younger, I attempted to work a 10 hour-a-day full-time job and home school my son. While I worked he remained unmonitored by his absentee father. The television watched Samuel.  It is so important to me that Samuels receives a good education; but during that time, I was unable to financially provide that for him.

This time last year, I had no idea where Samuel and I would even live.  I thought it was impossible to get my son into anyone’s school. At times I was overtaken by fear and anger primarily due to the fact that I’ve worked so hard and I couldn’t provide the basic’s for my son. 

The first month that Samuel began to attend ACS, he would run to school.  He loves school.  He loves to read.  He loves his teachers.  He loves his friends.  He loves the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.  February will be a year for my son at ACS, and the experience has been life changing. We had never gone to a professional basketball game or football game.  The field trips that he goes on are wonderful.  I can recall when Ms. Lavonia told me that they we’re going to see “Walking with the Dinosaurs,” I wanted to take the day off from work so that I could go also. 

It’s not just the giving, it’s the lessons that I’ve learned.  I’ve learned so much from the Wednesday and Friday parent meetings.  I can recall when a visitor from the Wellness Center in East Point came and she said something that I carry with me every day:  “Put positive words into the universe and positive will return to you.”  I realized its all mind over matter.  Think positive, speak positive, be positive is my motto. 

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t just take.  Once you’ve gone through a situation as life changing as homelessness, it is your duty to rise up and be a living example, to be self-sufficient so that your testimony may uplift those that are at the place where you were.  I thank all of you for what you’ve done. 

When my family, who live in Atlanta, was nowhere to be found, PADV and ACS were there to support us during that tumultuous time.  I consider you all family.  I look forward to being more than a success story, but also a contributor, a partner, and volunteer.  I thank you all.  As the Good Samaritan stated to the fallen Israelite, What was done unto you, do ye likewise.

Thank You
Hannah and Samuel

Former Homeless Women in Atlanta Speak Out

Dear Dr. Brown:

I wanted to write you a letter to show my appreciation for the work the Shelter did for me and my family. I want you to know that what the shelter does truly changes peoples' lives in a meaningful way.

Let me tell you about my life. Eighteen months ago my three children and I fled a violent situation in South Carolina. We came to Atlanta to change our lives and get back on the right track. A dear friend put us up for a while. Then we moved to a hotel until the money ran out. A woman I'll never know saw the pain in my eyes. We talked. My children were hungry. She gave me United Way's 211 emergency phone number. United Way recommended me to a night shelter. I cried through my interview there. Two months later my children and I moved in.

My first few weeks in the night shelter were a difficult adjustment. I was on the MARTA bus one day taking Diamond, my 2-year old baby girl to work with me because we had no childcare at all. The bus driver saw I was distraught and asked me what was wrong. I didn't want to lose my job. I was worried for my baby. The bus driver dropped me off at the Atlanta Children's Shelter and told me to go inside because they would take care of me.

I thought I came the wrong way because everything looked so good. I was so happy when my child got in I didn't know what to do. Diamond is now in the family of children there and learning more every day. I've gotten a new job and I've been working steadily now and saving up to get our own apartment. I'm looking into school districts now!

When my family leaves the Atlanta Children's Shelter another will take our place. And another after them. There are too many families out there right now who need the support of the Shelter. I appreciate everything you have done for us. There is nowhere else like the Shelter and my family would not be where it is without you.

Sincerely,
Ms. Leona Chavis

Ms. Hood Receives Inaugural Empowerment Award

Junior League of Atlanta Award Recognizes Achievement of Self-Sufficiency
Ms. Joanne Hodges Hood is a former client of The Atlanta Children's Shelter. The Junior League of Atlanta recently announced Ms. Hood as the inaugural recipient of the first annual Empowerment Award. While every nomination received was inspiring, Ms. Hood's story is exceptionally touching.

The Empowerment Award, established through a grant by the Buckhead Coalition, honors women who have overcome adversity and achieved self-sufficiency, including formerly homeless women in Atlanta. The award also honors the community agency that assisted them through the process.

In support of the award program, several Atlanta businesses have donated goods, services and financial support to Ms. Hood and the Atlanta Children's Shelter including Alston & Bird; Taylor Advisory Group, LLC; Absolute Lending & Mortgage, LLC; Patton & Fletcher, LLC; the Nearly New Shop; Who's Who Hair Salon, Honey Baked Ham, Dress for Success and the Atlanta History Center.

"We're so proud of Ms. Hood and the successes she has achieved since joining our program," said Dr. Jacqueline Brown of the Atlanta Children's Shelter. "And we appreciate the generous support of agencies like the Junior League of Atlanta and the Buckhead Coalition as well as our many corporate and individual sponsors without whom Ms. Hood and others might not be able to achieve their dream of self-sufficiency."

About Joanne Hodges Hood
Joanne Hodges Hood is a single mother of five who left her husband and moved her family into a shelter that helps homeless women in Atlanta . With limited job skills and a lack of education, Ms. Hood was struggling to keep her family together. She decided to return to ultrasound school, completed her courses and is now employed full-time as a Nurse Tech II at Crawford Long Hospital.

Ms. Hood improved her parenting skills through weekly parent support groups at the Atlanta Children's Shelter. Her dream of her own home was made possible recently when she and her children moved from a transitional shelter to a four-bedroom house. The Atlanta Children's Shelter provided assistance with referrals to affordable housing, furniture, rent and utilities deposits and home starter kits in order to make this dream a reality. The Atlanta Children's Shelter also continues to provide quality childcare for her children while she is at work.

Ms. Hood has overcome extreme circumstances to achieve self-sufficiency, and realizes the importance of giving back to the community that supported her in her time of need. Her position as a Nurse Tech II at Crawford Long Hospital enables her to provide special attention to new mothers and she now performs the educational piece for first time mothers and single mothers from low- income areas. She just completed a walk-a-thon to benefit premature babies.

Ms. Hood serves as a volunteer for Nicholas House, her former shelter that helps homeless women in Atlanta; volunteers in the community through her church; and she recently opened her own home to a homeless mother. We hope you are as proud of her successes as we are. Thank you for being a part of it.