Seeing and Fulfilling a Need

The plight of the homeless has always been a concern of Amanda Flipper African Methodist Episcopal Church, having roots within the inner city. In 1993, the Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless reported 22,245 people requesting shelter (approximately 60% of the total number calling for assistance), of which 46% were women with children. (Women with children account for the largest of the six categories of homeless individuals and families, children accounting for approximately 25% [approx. 5,500] of the total number of homeless individuals.). A more recent report, released in February, 1999 by the National Coalition for the Homeless states that homeless families with children has increased significantly over the past decade, comprising approximately 40% of the people who become homeless. The demand for homeless childcare is currently met by three other centers with a combined capacity of approximately 100 spaces. The existing centers are operating at maximum capacity daily. Unity Child Care Center (UCC) will help to alleviate some of the overburden of these centers by offering the same services at an alternative location. This will provide an opportunity for the mothers of these children to attain employment.

UCC is the brainchild of the Pastor and Members of the Amanda Flipper African Methodist Episcopal Church. Our proposed project will help in the alleviation of the shortage of day care services for homeless children. This will provide an opportunity for the mothers of these children to attain employment.

Having evolved from an existing relationship with the target group through our work with the Holy Trinity Shelter, we are aware of some important issues and needs. This awareness has been greatly increased and facilitated by our current Pastor, Nicolene Durham, who has extensive experience working with homeless women and their children. She has been the Director of the Holy Trinity Shelter for Homeless Women and Children since 1989, and was previously Pastoral Counselor with the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA Night Shelter for Homeless Women and Children.

The center will also incorporate the successful model of Our House Day Care for homeless children, by training mothers to work in the center, thus assisting with staffing while providing training in needed work skills for some parents. There will also be monthly parenting and child development workshops, as well as seminars on job search and employment skills, budgeting and nutrition. Mothers will also be represented on the Center's Board of Directors to assist in planning and overseeing the Center's activities.