Become an Advocate for the Homeless
The Atlanta Children’s Shelter is a strong advocate for the homeless, and is constantly working to create systemic changes to end homelessness. A snapshot of our organization appears on the left.
The Atlanta Children’s Shelter’s Advocacy Committee’s mission is:
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to lend our voices to improve the health, education and welfare of families and children |
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to lend our voices to issues that impact the health, education and welfare of families and children |
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to educate our communities to become advocates to improve the health, education and welfare of families and children |
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to educate community leaders to advocate for the health, education and welfare of families and children |
This means working with various sectors of the community (e.g. city/county officials, members of Congress, direct service providers, and the business community) to develop workable strategies for responding to homelessness. It also means changing language and behaviors in small ways that may contribute to larger changes in the way people experiencing homelessness are seen and treated in our society.
There are many ways that you can help:
Visit our advocacy blog for the latest information
www.ACS-Advocacy.blogspot.com
Get involved with the Atlanta Children’s Shelter
Opportunities for donating, volunteering, and becoming a voice for the homeless are varied. To learn more, call us at 404.892.3713.
Support legislation and funding to:
- Provide affordable housing including Section 8, rent control, Habitat For Humanity, and support tenant/relationship policies.
- Protect abused and battered women and families.
- Encourage a fair and living wage.
- Support affordable health care services, such as SCHIP, for low income families.
- Support free or low cost early child-care for homeless and low income families.
- Support education needs for the poor to help ensure a smoother transition for homeless children to transition in to elementary schools.
- Encourage public support for transportation subsidies for low income families.
Get involved with the media
Let the media know you care about homelessness. Speak out, or write editorials when the opportunity arises.
Change your language
Many people think of those that are homeless as “beggars, worthless people who won’t work, drunks etc.” Most people that are homeless are just like the rest of us – they are just going through a particularly difficult time in their lives, and they deserve the dignity that every other human being is granted.
Some links that you might find helpful include:
The State of Homelessness in Georgia and Call to Action 2009
Directory of Homeless & Housing Advocacy Coalitions
Legislative Action Toolbox, How to Advocate!
Georgia.gov
Georgia Legislature
State Data
Counties
Cities & Towns
Georgia Report
Key Legislation
Thank you for helping those in need.
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