Action Ministries and Project Interconnections celebrate grand reopening of Welcome House
3/17/2013
Action Ministries, one of Georgia’s leading nonprofits, and Project Interconnections, Inc., an organization providing affordable housing to adults facing the challenges of mental illness and homelessness, have announced their new management of Welcome House that will support efforts to address the homelessness situation in the city of Atlanta.
Located on Memorial Drive in Atlanta, Welcome House is a 209-unit housing development for very low-income single adults with histories of substance abuse and mental health disabilities. The safety net of services provided to residents can mean a life of independence rather than homelessness, incarceration, or constant institutional care.
Under the terms of the management agreement announced by the two parties, Project Interconnections, Inc. will be the property manager and Action Ministries’ Housing division will be the onsite service provider.
“Groups all across Atlanta are focusing on the city's homelessness problem and today’s news is important because – by Project Interconnections and Action Ministries managing Welcome House – we are able to expand capacity and make a real dent in this serious problem,” said John R. Moeller, Jr., president and CEO of Action Ministries.
“Welcome House is open to the city’s most vulnerable residents across a broad spectrum,” said Darlene Schultz, president and CEO of Project Interconnections, Inc. “The safety net of services provided to these men and women can mean a life of independence rather than homelessness, incarceration, or constant institutional care. This makes Welcome House a unique housing development in the city of Atlanta.”
Action Ministries Housing’s onsite case managers will work to connect clients to individual counseling, in-house 12-step support, and other relapse prevention support groups, and will make referrals to appropriate treatment facilities for inpatient and outpatient care.
By providing these services, the supportive services staff will work to prevent a return to homelessness by helping residents to maintain sobriety, better their physical health and hygiene, increase vocational skills and boost employment rates, and help those who are ready to move beyond SRO housing.
Other speakers at the event included Cliff Altekruse, chairman of the board of Project Interconnections, Inc.; Michael Motes, a resident at Welcome House; Meaghan Shannon-Vlkovic, vice president and market leader – Southeast, of Enterprise Community Partners; and, Susan Lampley, innovation project officer for Mayor Reed’s Innovation Delivery Team which coordinates the city of Atlanta’s homelessness initiative.