by partnersfh | Jan 11, 2021 | Housing Surge
An effort to find homes for those without was not deterred by the obstacles brought by a pandemic. As 11Alive previously reported, the City of Atlanta, working with the non-profit agency Partners for Home and members of the private sector, set out on an ambitious...55 Trinity Avenue SW
Suite 4350
Atlanta, GA 30303
Executive Director
cmarchman@partnersforhome.org
Cathryn has dedicated her career to working with individuals experiencing homelessness and marginalized communities for over 20 years. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has provided direct clinical care to disenfranchised individuals in jails, criminal justice, residential, medical and outreach settings. In 2006, Cathryn expanded her capacity, serving as Program Director for City of Refuge, a shelter for homeless women and children. Following completion of her law degree, she served as the Legal, Policy and Compliance Officer and the Behavioral Health Coordinator for Mercy Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center with a Healthcare for the Homeless designation. While there, she was instrumental in the development of a fully-integrated behavioral healthcare program across ten PCMH clinic sites.
Ms. Marchman has a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University School of Law, a MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2012.
When she’s not strategizing on making homelessness rare and brief in Atlanta, Cathryn is searching for the best barbeque and trying to keep up with her seven year-old son.
HMIS Data Specialist Manager
rtaylor@partnersforhome.org
Rhonda comes to us with experience in Information Technology and Health Information Management Technology. After participating in two mission trips in South American, Rhonda developed the desire to blend her IT skills with supporting people in the community. She has approximately 5 years’ experience as a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Administrator for both urban and rural Continuum of Cares (CoCs) in Ohio and Portland, Oregon. She thoroughly loves this work.
When she is not glued to a computer, Rhonda practices all forms of yoga, travels domestic and internationally, enjoys exercising, spoiling her cat, trying new restaurants, and watching movies.
Continuum of Care Manager
bgarner@partnersforhome.org
As a licensed social worker, Brittany has had an ongoing an interest in social justice and community work. This passion brought her to work in homelessness, HIV, and youth programs here in Atlanta. Brittany worked at Georgia Equality, specifically the Youth HIV Policy Advisors program, and directed their World AIDS Day event in 2016. After receiving her MSW, Brittany worked her way up at Lost-N-Found Youth, a service provider that specifically caters to the needs of homeless LGBTQ youth. As their Deputy Director for Programs, Brittany was instrumental in building capacity around the grassroots organization and oversaw the implementation of all programs.
Brittany has a passion for community work and has sat on several community boards to address the various intersections of oppression that affect those she serves. She has published articles and presented at several conferences about the specific needs of LGBTQ youth within systems and service provider agencies.
Brittany has a Master’s of Social Work with a concentration in Community Partnership from Georgia State University.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her partner and their two dogs, finding new restaurants with her friends, and traveling every chance she gets.
Performance and Program Manager
mharrell@partnersforhome.org
Melanie has worked with programs serving the homeless for the past seven years in Denver, Charleston, and Atlanta. Melanie joined the Partners for HOME team in 2017, after working for the Lowcountry Homeless Coalition, the local Continuum of Care, as the Coordinated Entry System Manager. In Denver, Melanie was employed with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and worked at the Stout Street Clinic and in permanent supportive housing. These experiences instilled a passion for work associated with ending homelessness and advocating for people experiencing homelessness.
Melanie has a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Denver and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver.
In her free time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Melanie and her family are enjoying exploring the city of Atlanta and finding new adventures.
The Atlanta Continuum-of-Care is a collective network of providers aligning coordinated efforts and resources to maximize impact.
Another Chance of Atlanta
Services: transitional housing, permanent supportive housing for Veterans, peer-driven services.
Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency, Inc.
Atlanta Development Authority dba Invest Atlanta
CAPN (Community Advanced Practice Nurses)
CaringWorks, Inc.
Donation needs: bedding and towels (new), household items, kitchen items, dishware, cleaning supplies, paper products.
Central Outreach and Advocacy Center
Coalition for Homeless People With A Mental Illness/Addiction
Crossroads Community Ministries, Inc.
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Epic Conclusion, Inc.
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Services: food pantry, rental assistance, Sunday morning prayer breakfast, women’s transitional housing
Gateway Center
Donation needs: books/magazines, hygiene supplies, linens, money.
Georgia Law Center for the Homeless
Contact info?
Services offered: eviction defense, family law, SSI/SSDI disability, Rapid-Rehousing chronically homeless families.
Georgia Rehabilitation Outreach, Inc.
HOPE Atlanta/Travelers Aid
Donations needed: money (to aid stranded travelers)
Intown Collaborative Ministries
Services: food, outreach, permanent supportive housing, rapid-rehousing
Donations needed: food, volunteers, clothes.
Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless
Project Community Connections, Inc.
Donations needed: emergency household kits, hygiene kits
Project Interconnections, Inc.
Quest Community Development Organization
Rebecca’s Tent (Formerly Known as Shearith Israel Shelter)
Services: women’s night shelter, room and board, case management, resettlement assistance.
REDEEM Community Outreach Inc.
Services: Re-entry, transition, housing, referrals, employment/job training, outreach, notary
Donation needs: food, clothes
Rosaleana’s Community Development Center, Inc.
SafeHouse Outreach
Services: youth mentoring, parenting education, career development, work readiness skills
Donation needs: hygiene kits, food, paper products, mailing supplies
Serendipity Recovery
St. Jude’s Recovery Center, Inc.
The Center for Children with Incarcerated Parents of Atlanta, Inc.
Trinity Community Ministries, Inc.
Services: case management, counseling, employment, life skills
Urban Residential Development Corporation
Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia
Services: transitional housing, individual permanent housing, family permanent housing, job training & placement
Open Doors recruits companies with professionally managed properties willing to rent to veterans, families, and individuals in need of housing. As a Property Partner, you’ll be working with professional housing case managers employed by the best non-profit agencies in Metro Atlanta and will be connected only to households who have financial assistance and ongoing support, enabling them to be stable tenants.
By becoming a member of the Open Doors collaborative, Property Partners receive referrals of tenants who’ve been matched with a range of subsidies and services which equip them to be successful residents in your properties. (i.e. funding through HUD, housing authorities, non-profits, and the State of Georgia.)
There are absolutely no fees associated with joining the Open Door program. Over 95% of our funding is provided by private contributions.
Benefits to your property can include:
• Increased Occupancy Rates: We quickly connect property managers to people in need of affordable housing. When a unit becomes vacant, we can find a match.
• Timely Rent Payment: Regular assessment check-ins with tenants make sure they are successfully meeting the terms and rules of their lease.
• Reduce Apartment Turnover: Housing case managers help tenants manage a household budget as well as provide financial management education to help them remain stable, paying tenants.
• Tenant Issue Resolution Support: Property managers are encouraged to contact housing case managers to resolve tenant issues impacting their lease.
• Support Fair Housing: Properties participating in Open Doors are affirmatively furthering fair housing by eliminating barriers and returning homeless families and individuals to housing.
• Reduce Evictions: Program participants receive housing services, appropriate to their situation, to make them stable tenants and prevent problems that can lead to eviction.
Learn more about the Open Doors program at opendoorsatl.org.
If you are interested in becoming a property management partner, please call or email Matt Hurd at info@opendoorsatl.org or (470) 222-3213
Deputy Director of Housing and Resource Coordination
aswilliams@partnersforhome.org
Early in her career, Ashley’s case management experience, while working in home care and mental health residential agencies, gave her great insight into the needs of clients and their families. Her work at the United Way Regional Commission on Homelessness furthered her passion for service. As the Senior Director of HOmelessness, she worked for six years on variety of issues including: a regional strategy to end homelessness through prevention; outreach; intake and assessment; housing; and support and employment services. In her current role, Ashley oversees the development of a Coordinated Entry System that adheres to HUD standards.
Ashley received her Master’s degree in Social Work at Georgia State University.
At home, Ashley is a mother of two boys and a maltipoo named Abby. She loves sports, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Deputy Director of Grants and Performance Management
azaremba@partnersforhome.org
Amy has worked with housing and homeless issues for almost 25 years, in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, and Atlanta. She joined Partners For HOME in 2016, after working with the State of Georgia as Senior Manager of the Office of Homeless and Special Needs Housing. That office serves as the HMIS lead agency for most of the CoCs’ in the state including the Collaborative Applicant for the Georgia Balance of State CoC, the state entitlement for ESG and HOPWA, as well as a recipient for the Section 811 PRA demonstration program, the State Housing Trust Fund, and the housing arm for statewide prison reentry efforts. At Partners For HOME, Amy oversees a $6.9 million portfolio of grants and is working to make Atlanta a data driven, high performing community, through monitoring and performance standard management.
Amy has a Juris Doctor from American University and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2005.
Being from Chicago, and a life-long Cubs fan, November 2, 2016 will always hold a special place in her heart!
CABHI Program Manager
dlmattison@partnersforhome.org
David-Lee has over 19 years of experience providing HIV prevention education, risk-reduction counseling, HIV testing services, and managing large scale projects. He joined Partners for HOME in 2017, bringing his experience as a passionate community leader and trainer of facilitators. David-Lee has an extensive background with the LGBT community, specifically targeting high-risk populations in nontraditional venues. In addition to conducting capacity building training for service providers, he has managed strategic alliances across the State of Georgia. David-Lee previously worked as a Project Officer for the Georgia Department of Public Health.
David-Lee received a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management for Norfolk State University.
When he is not working, he enjoys cooking, shopping, and spending time with his family.
Coordinated Entry Manager
astarr@partnersforhome.org
Since moving to Atlanta almost 12 years ago, Ashlee has committed to working in housing and homelessness in metropolitan Atlanta. Through her work with the Georgia Law Center for the Homeless, 3 Keys (formerly Project Interconnections, Inc.), and most recently the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Ashlee has become a passionate advocate for providing safe and affordable housing for everyone.
Ashlee lives in downtown Atlanta with her husband and three kids where they love to host backyard dinners and explore all the new additions to the Atlanta Beltline.
HMIS Data Specialist Manager
dtaylor@partnersforhome.org
Desta, who joined Partners for HOME in 2017, is passionate about improving the quality of life for others. During her college career, she had the opportunity to serve at-risk high school students and the LGBTQ community. While conducting research, backed by several grants, Desta realized the importance data can have on the overall goals of a cause. After graduation, she continued her passions by working as a mental health professional in Virginia. During her 5-year tenure at New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS), she came to understand the importance of mental health services and advocating for those who are underrepresented. Desta is new to Atlanta and is happy to make it her home. She is excited to make a difference.
Desta received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from East Tennessee University.
When she is not managing data for Partners for Home, she can be found cooking, writing, or spending time with her fiancé, step-daughter, and dog.