United Way of Central Georgia’s United to End Homelessness initiative has begun its work to bring together providers of homelessness support services to begin developing a county-wide strategic plan to end homelessness
Macon, GA – According to the statement, the first session included invited community members from the Brookdale Resource Center, Eisenhower Business Improvement District, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University, and several others. The second session included service providers and organizations such as Daybreak, River Edge Behavioral Health Center, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity, Macon Mental Health Matters, the Mentor’s Project of Bibb County, and many more. Representatives from each shared why the homelessness issue is so important to them and what they want to see done by coming together.
“The only way we are going to end homelessness in Macon-Bibb is by working together, by sharing information, knowledge, expertise, and resources,” said Reverend Dr. Jake Hall, who was recently hired as Executive Director of United to End Homelessness. “What began with the Brookdale Resource Center providing a warm and safe place to stay has become a county-wide movement to truly address the issue of homelessness and improve the lives of families and individuals.”
Dr. Hall will lead the planning effort and sessions, and during the next three months, he will conduct a community-wide, data-driven assessment to identify the types of homelessness most prevalent in Macon-Bibb. The discovery and engagement process will involve national experts on homelessness and multiple gatherings of government officials, citizens, and primary providers.
“We need to know and understand the types of homelessness people face here so we can find the best resources to meet their needs and find them permanent housing,” says Dr. Hall. “We, as a community, are coming together to make sure we understand the work in front of us, combine resources and effort, and put people at the forefront of all that we do.”