The primary issues of poverty in Atlanta include the basics; food, shelter, clothing, and transportation.  Unite! is currently focusing our efforts intensely towards the issues of homelessness throughout Atlanta.

Churches (particularly in Gwinnett County) have an incredible opportunity to serve the needs of homeless individuals and families.  Unite! Churches have been working in partnership with the Gwinnett Coalition for Health & Human Services to put together a strategy to serving the immediate and long term needs of the homeless in our county.  There are very real and practical ways that your church family can join with many other churches, to serve.

New!  Sleep Well Tonight - Blankets for the Homeless
Sleep Well Tonight is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to provide sleeping bags, blankets, quilts, and pillows to the homeless to help them to "Sleep Well Tonight."   We provide an easy way for churches, families, small groups, and individuals to serve the homeless by meeting tangible needs.  To find out how you can coordinate a blanket drive, donate sleeping bags, or make a financial contribution, contact John at 404-375-6714 or john@sleepwelltonight.org.

New!  The Lazarus Project
Trinity Life Church in Lawrenceville is a leader in Gwinnett County when it comes to serving the homeless of our community.  The Lazarus Project is a vision for churches to work together to clothe, feed, provide housing, and care for the homeless in the Lawrenceville area.  Currently, Trinity LIfe Church is serving 2 meals per week to the homeless, with a vision to eventuallly serve 3 meals per day, 7 days per week.  For more information, contact Pastor Dave Brunson at 678-376-1668 or pastordavetlc@trinitylifechurch.net.
                                                           

Update  Salvation Army Shelter Plan
The Salvation Army is moving forward with a proposal and plan to partner with Unite! The United Way, and existing apartment complexes to provide transitional housing for homeless persons in Gwinnett County.  Phase 1 of "Home Sweet Home Gwinnett" (in pdf format) will include 6 apartment units, a case manager, and a social worker to provide shelter and assistance.  Phase 1 apartments will most likely be located in Norcross.  Phase 1 budget will be $197,638.   
 
Unite! Churches, thus far, have pledged to give $106,000.  We’d like to challenge more churches to contribute towards this project. 
 
$85        =   1 day’s expenses for 1 homeless family in the program

$580      =   1 week’s expenses for 1 homeless family in the program

$2,500   =   1 month’s expenses for 1 homeless family in the program

$30,000  =  1 year’s expenses for 1-2 homeless families in the program
 
 Please consider how your church can join other churches to show Gwinnett County that churches care about “the least of these.”  For more information about the “Home Sweet Home Gwinnett" shelter plan or to make a financial contribution, click here.