HomeAid Helps Family Haven
Atlanta, GA – October 6, 2021 – Atlanta building industry nonprofit HomeAid Atlanta held a HomeAid Care Day on September 24 at Forsyth County Family Haven. HomeAid Care Days, powered by building industry volunteers, provide free facility maintenance, upgrades, and repairs for organizations that provide housing and services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Volunteers from Professional Women in Building Atlanta Chapter, Century Communities, Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia (MBAG), National Association of Home Builders Kennesaw State University Student Chapter (KSU NAHB) spent the day at the 21-bed living facility that offers a safe place for women and children who have suffered domestic violence.
Over the course of the day, nearly 40 volunteers came together to perform a makeover of the facility with paint and landscaping materials. Volunteers brightened up the grounds with new mulch, plants and flowers. The interior of the main building received a much-needed, fresh coat of paint in the kitchen, living room, dining room, office and play area for children.
Clients come to Family Haven fleeing an abusive home, often bringing only what they are able to load into their car. Like most nonprofits, Family Haven operates on a tight budget. Because HomeAid Care Days are free-of-charge, metro Atlanta service provider organizations save money on building maintenance and repairs. Thanks to donations and the work of volunteers, this HomeAid Care Day provided a savings of nearly $8,000 for Family Haven. Instead of spending on facility issues, they can use their funds to care for the families and individuals they serve, like this survivor whose life was transformed with help from Family Haven: As a result of domestic violence, Survivor "A" came to Family Haven after sustaining broken bones and severe head injuries from her fiancé. She was in denial about the abuse she suffered and faced many barriers regarding employment, housing, mental health as well as legal issues. While residing at Family Haven, she engaged herself with supportive services including counseling, overcoming the denial of her abuse. She secured employment with the Atlanta Public School System and obtained permanent housing to begin her new life free of abuse, "I realize now that I don't have to live in fear anymore,” she said.
This was HomeAid’s second Care Day at Forsyth County Family Haven. In April 2019, HomeAid volunteers completed indoor and outdoor maintenance and repairs in one of the longer-term transitional housing units. HomeAid supporters have also provided assistance for Family Haven through donating holiday gifts for families and contributing housewares items through HomeAid’s Stock the House Drive, and diapers and wipes through HomeAid’s Essentials Drive.
Since 2008 HomeAid Care Days have provided over $845,000 in free facility maintenance, upgrades, and repairs for metro Atlanta service providers. On September 10, HomeAid reached a milestone of 100 Care Days completed.