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socialATLANTA.com: OH What a Night Gala: An Evening of Love & Laughter

Hosted by Our House at The Atlanta History Center, the event brought together close to 300 esteemed guests and raised nearly $500,000 for transitioning families from homelessness.

Our House, an Atlanta area nonprofit leading the fight against family homelessness, hosted its annual OH What a Night Gala: An Evening of Love & Laughter at The Atlanta History Center. The event brought together close to 300 esteemed guests for an unforgettable evening of camaraderie and philanthropy.

Aaron Danzig, long time Our House supporter and former Board Chair was honored with the prestigious Jovita Moore Spirit of Community Award. Jennifer Ide served as Chair of the Gala Committee.

The ambiance featured florals and shades of red, inspired by Valentine’s weekend. Thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsor Morris, Manning & Martin LLP, official media sponsor WSB-TV, and all the Gala sponsors the OH What a Night Gala proved the most successful yet, raising more than $500,000 in support of Our House programs to transition families from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Our House Welcomes Five New Board Members

Our House welcomed five new members to our Board of Directors. Leaders in their fields, these new board members bring extensive finance, healthcare, marketing, and communications experience to Our House. “We are excited to welcome this newest talented class of Board Members to help advance our mission.” says Our House CEO Tyese Lawyer.

Scott Johnson,
Lawyer at Aaron’s LLC
Brent Smith, President and CEO of Piedmont Office Realty Trust
Kesha Landrum,
Director, Business Solutions at Optum

Alan Quarterman, Managing Partner of Quartermoore: Five Paces Ventures
Sarah du Plessis,
Audit Managing Director at Ernst & Young

AJC Article: Our House Helps Families Experiencing Homelessness

December 1, 2021

Since 1988 Our House has offered refuge and revitalization to the most vulnerable members of our community – families with young children experiencing homelessness.

“Our House’s mission is to end the cycle of homelessness for families, and our vision is a self-sufficient family for every child,” said Tyese Lawyer, president and CEO of Our House.

The organization has four core programs that it offers to families struggling with homelessness: free, nationally accredited early childhood education; comprehensive case management; up to six months of emergency shelter; and a credential-earning job-training program.

“As the pandemic has gone on, our mission has become more urgent, and we have embraced the opportunity presented by increased federal relief funding to help more families,” said Lawyer.

Since early 2020, Our House has worked with government and other community partners to distribute close to $400,000 in emergency assistance to families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Our House’s holistic, two-generational and trauma-informed approach aims to help the generation experiencing homelessness today and works to break the cycle for children most likely to experience homelessness in the future.

“When we succeed, it is life-changing for each member of the family, both parents and children, and also means wonderful things for the community at-large,” said Lawyer. “We firmly believe that the entire community benefits when everyone is given the best chance possible to contribute and thrive.”

Our House

Services: Our House helps families with young children experiencing homelessness become self-sufficient and overcome homelessness through early childhood education, comprehensive case management, emergency shelter and job training.

How to help: Our House invites the community to come to the OH What a Night Gala on Feb. 12, 2022, which will honor Our House Advisory Council member Jovita Moore of WSB-TV.

Where to donate: Donate by visiting ourhousega.org or contacting Chief Development Officer Diane Douglass at ddouglass@ourhousega.org.

How to get help: To request aid, please visit ourhousega.org, for contact forms and information or call 404-522-6056.

Real Talk: Being Family Advocates at Our House

Daphney Davis and Christine Chandler

Part of the Family Services team, Family Advocates provide case management to all families enrolled in Our House programs. To help others understand the important role Family Advocates play, we talked with Daphney Davis (left) and Christine Chandler (right) about their experience working at Our House’s shelter in Atlanta.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Header photo by Raven Whavers.

What led you to Our House?

Daphney: I’ve always worked with children and families, it’s just the titles were different. Previously, I worked as an investigator for DFCS [Division of Family & Children Services] for four years, and then I worked with CHRIS 180 as a Care Coordinator for two years, before coming to Our House.

At CHRIS 180, I was going to clients’ homes and the travel became a lot. So I decided to apply to Our House, thinking I still wanted to work in the same arena but without the travel. I admit, I had no idea what working at a homeless shelter would be like, and had real doubts. But I interviewed and got a tour, and I was like, “Oh my God, I love it here. This is where I want to be.” I decided that moment that I was going to do everything I could to get this job. And luckily I’m here! I’ve been here now for a little over two years.

Christine: I was originally a pre-K teacher in Alabama and then I just felt a calling to nonprofits. So I decided, “I’m going to move to Atlanta where it’s bigger.” I found this job on Work for Good, started as an intern in December 2019, and then became the Program Assistant. Then this spring they offered me the Family Advocate position. I’ve been in this role for about two months.

What are common misconceptions other people have about your work?

Daphney: When many people hear that I work at a homeless shelter, it’s clear their only conception of people experiencing homelessness are people they see at a distance on the side of the road. But homelessness doesn’t look one way, and the people we serve have many different experiences.

Christine: When people hear I work at a homeless shelter, I think they assume that people who are experiencing homelessness are lazy, that they haven’t gone out and tried to help themselves and improve their lives. What I’ve seen from working here is that is just not the case.

Many people go through a lot of things that compound, one on top of the other, and then they can’t get out of their situation. They are trying their best, but so much has hurt them and so much is stacked against them.

People are truly unaware of what other people can go through.

The community I’m from is fairly privileged. So I had always heard growing up, like, “Why are those people homeless? They just need to go out and get a job.” Super ignorant statements like that. People are truly unaware of what other people can go through. I wish that would change.

Daphney: I would agree. It’s a community-wide problem. And it’s not race-related, either. Because anyone that I have ever told about my work tends to blame the people experiencing homelessness. Asking things like, “What did they do to be homeless?” What they don’t know is mental health plays such a intimate role in homelessness. It even took me time to realize that myself, even while working in this field.

Beyond mental health, are there other factors that contribute consistently?

Daphney: Lack of social networks. Generational poverty and trauma. Having worked at DFCS, when a lot of children turn 18, they are ready to be done with the system because they may have had a bad experience and because they’re 18 – you know, “I’m 18 years old, I’m fully grown, I’m ready to go.” So even though DFCS offers housing assistance, school, and other support until they’re about 24, they don’t take advantage of that.

So you have these young people that go out into the world without the structure or guidance they need. They have no idea on how to get or maintain a job or an apartment, and no one to guide them. And if they have children, that’s an added barrier. It’s very, very tough.

Could you walk us through your work day? What time do you get up, when do you start getting emails?

*Laughter*

Christine: We get emails around the clock! It doesn’t matter what day it is. It doesn’t matter what time it is.

I get here and I start answering all those emails I’ve gotten throughout the night. Either I’ll go to a client’s room and talk with them in-person or send them resources through email based on their questions. That lasts until at least 11:00 am, just finding resources and answering emails and talking to different people.

Daphney: Then we typically have a Zoom meeting. We partner with a lot of other organizations, and our partners frequently want to connect and share summaries of what they’re doing. So we take part to see how we can implement what they’re doing into our system to help our clients.

Other things we do include emails to make sure the shelter is serving the most people it can, seeing which families have applied and where the need is. Once we’ve identified new families, we explain to them the process to get in and review their documents. We help place their children in childcare, and give them supplies. We get a lot of emails from partners as well, with housing and resources, that we then send out to clients.

Finally, we follow up constantly to see how our clients are doing. We’re scheduling weekly meetings with shelter clients, or calling parents in enrolled in ECE. You’ll also see us in the lobby talking to families as they’re picking up their kids or coming home for the day.

It’s really important for us to keep up with our families’ progress and keep our files maintained. We have three databases that we have to enter data notes and track information. So we work hard to keep those current, as well as our paper files.

Christine: We also have a lot of clients stopping by because the clients at the shelter are constantly in need. They’re just at the beginning of their journey of not being homeless. So they’re stopping in… I mean, 10 times a day, or so, for different requests.

With homelessness, there comes a lot of shame and families not wanting to be transparent. The only way we can really help them is if they feel comfortable sharing with us all of their needs.

Daphney: And we’re a good resource! For example, if someone needs supplies, needs diapers or milk, we stop what we’re doing to get them what they need. We are always on, always running. I personally try to get here about 8:30 and I typically don’t leave till about 5:30, maybe 6:00. Evenings are really important, like after 4:00 pm, because that’s when all of our families are here and I can talk to them.

If they’re having dinner, I may come down and eat with them and play with the children. Because building rapport is key. We want our families to know that we are truly their advocates, that we’re completely in their corner. With homelessness, there comes a lot of shame and families not wanting to be transparent. The only way we can really help them is if they feel comfortable sharing with us all of their needs, because we get a lot of families that initially are like, “Oh, everything is fine. I just need this small thing.”

Then a crisis we never knew was brewing happens! And then they need us immediately. So building rapport helps us stay ahead, and is one of the biggest things I do daily.

Christine: That’s so true about the rapport. That’s one of my favorite things about this job, when my clients can come into my office and just sit and talk with me. They know that I really want to help and that I know they’re trying their best. That’s something special about the job that I love.

What advice would you have for someone new to the Family Advocate role?

Daphney: One of my pieces of coaching to Christine is to set boundaries. Hold clients accountable, and get clear on what you’re going to do for them and what they need to do for themselves. In the past – and I still struggle with this – I would always do everything for my clients. I’m going to call this person, I’m going to do this for you, I’ll handle that.

Then I realized, “Oh my God, my clients don’t know how to do things if I’m not there.” So now I give them instructions on how to do things. I’ll say, “Go do it, follow back up with me. If you need my help, I will help you, but I’m not going to do it for you.” Because I realize I won’t be part of their lives forever. So I want to do what I can now to help them to feel confident in themselves, to give them the support they need to make their own smart choices and decisions.

The other thing is to have patience and find this patience the best way you can. Understand that everybody has a different experience in their life, no two people are the same. Don’t take it personal when families don’t jump on board with your plan. Instead, ask them for their plan, help them figure out what they want and need, and then offer suggestions and tips to help them achieve it.

What are you most proud of in your work at Our House?

Christine: I’ve only been a Family Advocate for two months, so I’m going to let Daphney talk the most. But what I’ve seen from being even at the front desk, is clients coming back in and you can just tell they have more confidence in themselves.

When I walk into the lobby and see someone I’ve helped there, whose children are happy and their family is thriving – that’s the pride I take in this.

Daphney: I agree. For me that’s where I get the joy from. When I walk into the lobby and see someone I’ve helped there, whose children are happy and their family is thriving – that’s the pride I take in this. Because it is hard work.

It is hard because we were dealing with so many different personalities, lifestyles, and challenges, and it can be mentally draining. I can leave here and get in my car and I don’t want to hear anything from anyone. But when I see even one of my clients happier, and making strides towards a better future, I feel grateful and proud to do this work.

Thank you both for sharing your story!

Cocktails & Confetti Dreams

February 9, 2019

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305

 

Click here to purchase tickets

 

Join Our House for an enchanting evening of gourmet food, fun and fantasy on Saturday February 9, 2019 at the Atlanta History Center. Guests will enjoy cocktails for a cause, amazing fare, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions to benefit families with children experiencing homelessness.

Our House is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Garvish will serve as the 2019 Cocktails & Confetti Dreams Gala Chair. Ms. Garvish is the founding and managing member of Garvish Immigration Law Group, LLC. Click here for more details

From Homelessness to Honor Roll: Ebony, Seth & Sage

Ebony is 34 years old with a comforting and competent voice, the kind you’d feel better getting bad news from. Like many single parents, she works multiple jobs to provide for her two children, Seth and Sage. She is the manager of an H&R Block office, tutors children and picks up shifts tending bar and waiting tables when she can. And twelve years ago, Ebony was homeless.

Ebony ended up at a homeless shelter almost twelve years ago the same way thousands of other Americans do. One hurdle in her life led to another until they were cumulatively insurmountable. She had a small child and was in bad relationship. She was the sole provider and then became pregnant with her second child. Her family was also stretched thin and unable to offer much assistance. In an effort to get out of that relationship, Ebony was left with no help caring for her eighteen month-old son, Seth. Without reliable, affordable childcare, she couldn’t continue going to work and wound up in My Sister’s House, a shelter for women and children. While there, the staff told her about Our House and informed her that she could get free childcare for her son so she could work and get back on her feet.

Ebony’s son Seth began attending Our House while Ebony worked. Once Ebony’s daughter, Sage, was born, both children attended Our House where Ebony felt they received an education second to none. “The standards were so high…they helped me set him up for educational success,” Ebony says. She also stresses Our House’s focus on “meeting each child where they are and not letting their outside circumstances be an excuse or an obstacle to their success.” With Our House providing reliable, quality childcare, Ebony was able to get on her feet and build up her income. “With my childcare being a nonfactor, knowing that I had a place to take my babies, I could look to getting out of the situation.” Hand in hand with her Family Advocate at Our House, she was also able to move into permanent housing.

The support Ebony received at Our House when she needed it most combined with the quality education her children received has had ripple effects that have lasted more than a decade. Ebony is now living in Ohio with her children, who are now 13 and 11. Both of those children, who could have easily fallen behind their housed peers, are thriving educationally and are both on honor roll at school. And Ebony has built relationships that have lasted more than a decade. She is still in touch with the kids’ former teachers as well as other parents from her time at Our House. And she is bursting with pride at Our House’s growth over the years. “To see it evolve to become, on a physical level, what they’ve always been fundamentally. They were offering the same level of service in that little room in that little house…now they’ve got this big, updated, technically advanced space.”

When Ebony reflects back to the time in her life when she was experiencing homelessness, she expresses how fortunate she was to have encountered Our House. “Hindsight being 20/20, my homeless experience was a good one, it was like blessings all the way throughout. And it really started with Our House.”

Our House is now celebrating three decades of making intergenerational change in the lives of metro Atlanta citizens. Ebony’s is one of the many lives and families Our House has touched and impacted for the better.

National Volunteer Week: Thoughts on Service

In honor of 2017 National Volunteer Week, we asked our Board Chair, Aaron Danzig, to reflect on why he chooses to serve. 

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth,” so said the late, great Muhammad Ali.  And Winston Churchill once wrote, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Board Chair Aaron Danzig speaks at the most recent CDA class graduation.

Board Chair Aaron Danzig speaks at the most recent CDA class graduation.

Both of these truisms reflect what is important in a life well-lived.  While there are many similar sayings, the point is universal:  Helping others should be done by everyone with the ability to do so.  The benefits of volunteering are three-fold.  A need is fulfilled for the recipient, whether a basic need or something that brings happiness the recipient may never have known.  The giver fulfills his or her human duty to assist and nurture, obtaining the warm glow of satisfaction from doing a good deed.

But perhaps even more important is the interaction between recipient and giver — people who may not otherwise ever have the opportunity to meet — which promotes a greater understanding of the trials and tribulations of others and an appreciation of viewpoints and perspectives different from one’s own.  Too often, we live in an echo chamber of our own choosing, ensconced in a cocoon with similar people.  Volunteering provides an avenue for helping others while also helping ourselves.

There is no “right” method of volunteerism.  Each of us is imbued with unique skills and abilities.  There are thousands of organizations from which to choose — social service, education, religious, senior citizens, refugees — the list is endless.  And the rewards are limitless.  While I hope I make at least a small difference in the lives of those I serve when volunteering, I believe my service has had an even larger impact on me.

For the past five years, I have been on the board of Our House, and have served as the board chair for the past three years.  Our House is a wonderful organization providing high-quality early childhood education to those experiencing homeless and a shelter for infants and their families.  It provides “Shelter to Live and Education to Thrive.”  Every time I step foot into Our House, I come away inspired by both the staff at Our House and the children and families they serve.  If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please visit the Get Involved page. If you are interested in board service, please contact hello@ourhousega.org, and let us know why you would like to serve at Our House.

-Aaron Danzig, Our House Board of Directors Chairman