There are still some decent people in this town who still get sentimental during the holiday season and want to give back. Aside from good karma, it’s the great feeling of purpose you get when you volunteer your time. Here are just a FEW amazing charities in town that you can volunteer your time or donate some of the much needed money they need! We wish we could highlight them all, but this is a starting point on bringing focus to those in our community who work to give back!
Jerusalem House
What they do: Jerusalem House is the oldest and largest provider of permanent housing for Atlanta’s low income and homeless individuals and families affected by AIDS/HIV. More than 100 children live in Jerusalem House programs, and Jerusalem House provides them with the tools they need to succeed – like stable housing, tutoring, and school supplies.
Just a few of their accomplishments: On World AIDS Day,December 1, 1994, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services honored Jerusalem House for outstanding service to people with AIDS. Jerusalem House was the only Atlanta homeless service provider chosen for inclusion in a photographic exhibit called “The Way Home: Ending Homelessness in America.” The project was chaired by Tipper Gore and coordinated by the National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2000). In 2007, Jerusalem House was a finalist for the Metro Atlanta Corporate Volunteer Council (MACVC) IMPACT Awards. The agency’s Family Program won the award in 2001.
CONTACT for volunteering, donating or using their services:
To apply for housing, contact the Living Room at (404) 939-8520. 17 Executive Park Drive/Department W/Suite 290/Atlanta, GA30329. www.jerusalemhouse.org
P.A.L.S. (Pets Are Loving Support)
What they do: While Jerusalem House provides for the children, P.A.L.S. provides pet-care including free food, basic veterinary care, and support to the companion pets of senior citizens and critically ill and disabled Atlantans. P.A.L.S. helps the elderly, those with critical illness and/or disabilities keep their existing pets, despite medical or financial changes brought on by illness. Animals eligible to receive services must be adult animals and live in the home at least one year prior to enrollment. The free pet food that they provide is Pedigree (dry and canned) for dogs, and Whiskas (dry and canned) for cats. Also the Atlanta Humane Society offers P.A.L.S. clients a 25% discount on veterinary services.
CONTACT for volunteering, donating or using their services: Just so you know, P.A.L.S. are constantly in need of office volunteers to help with reception, making phone calls, data entry, mailings, and just about everything else under the sun. The warehouse is open weekdays 9am to 5pm. http://www.palsatlanta.org/
2115 Liddell Drive NE/Atlanta,GA30324. 404-876-PALS
Joining Hearts
About Joining Hearts: Joining Hearts, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3), all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing support to people living with HIV/AIDS here in Atlanta. 2012 marks their 25th year committed to this cause, and while events have grown and evolved over the years, one thing has always remained the same, that 100% of every dollar raised through ticket sales and tips is donated to our beneficiaries: AID Atlanta and Jerusalem House.
Did you know? Over a 24-year history, Joining Hearts has donated more than $1,339,500 to Aid Atlanta and Jerusalem House. They are Atlanta oldest HIV/AIDS fundraiser and guarantee that 100% of event tips and ticket sales are donated directly to help maintain a home for people living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta
CONTACT for volunteering or donating:
Joining Hearts is constantly looking for volunteers for their over the top and larger than life parties. To get more info check out their website. www.joininghearts.org.
Positive Impact/ M.I.S.T.E.R
About Positive Impact: Chief Executive Officer Paul Plate says, “Originally Positive Impact started out as a Mental Health Center to provide mental health service, and over the years we realize that would include different things. So right now we provide mental health services for homeless folks, we have a substance abuse treatment program, and we have a prevention program that includes both, sexual education classes for prevention and testing programs. We’re the only agency of its kind to move clients to both of these programs with this level of service or impact.”
Achievements and awards in the community:
The agency also has received recognition by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta as a finalist for the 1997 Managing for Excellence Award, and the United Wayof Metropolitan Atlanta presented the agency with the 2000 J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award for volunteer services. The agency’s Chief Executive Officer received the 2000 John Kappers AIDS Community Service Award, one of Atlanta’s most prestigious awards for HIV-related services, and was awarded a Fellowship to the Center for Social Innovation Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford University in 2002.
CONTACT for volunteering, donating or using their services:
They JUST moved to Midtown, and have a great new office that is now open for testing and other services! 60Eleventh Street NE|Atlanta,GA30309
www.positiveimpact-atl.org. 404.589.9040
AID Atlanta
What they do: A non-profit organization providing education and support services for people living with HIV and AIDS. AID Atlanta, Inc. has been saving and transforming lives since its inception in 1982. The agency was founded as a “grass-roots” response to the devastating and fatal impact HIV/AIDS was having on the Atlanta community. The mission of AID Atlanta is to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life of its members and the community by breaking barriers and building community. To this end, AID Atlanta has proven itself the leader in the fight against the AIDS epidemic in Atlanta.
Did you know? AID Atlanta provides primary medical care and HIV treatment regimens to those who are HIV-positive allowing patients to remain healthy longer. Success is demonstrated with 93% of patients having viral loads below levels of detection, significantly better than the national average. The array of services includes: primary medical care, medications and antiretroviral therapy, ancillary services, and access to clinical trials.
CONTACT for volunteering, donating or using their services:
http://www.aidswalkatlanta.com/Page.aspx?pid=295 605 Peachtree Street NE/Atlanta, GA 30309-2955/(404) 870-7700
Youth Pride
Who are they: YouthPride is the only organization in metropolitan Atlanta serving all LGBTQQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning) youth! When I say “youth”, I’m talking teenagers (13-17) and young adults (18-24) regardless of their gender identity, expression or HIV status.
What they do: YouthPride developed the Evolve! program in order to address the growing problem of suicide among LGBTQQ teenagers and young adults. The program provides therapeutic services to youth in crisis while also working to increase community awareness of mental health issues, depression and suicide for “at risk” youth and young adults in Metro Atlanta.
EVOLVE! expanded its services in 2008 by offering YouthPride members free individual, couples and group counseling in a non-judgmental and confidential environment. Counseling is provided on site by licensed practitioners or a counseling intern. They also provide counseling or referrals to YP members’ families and offer workshops to the public. Evolve! also provides help and referrals for youth struggling with homelessness.
CONTACT for volunteering, donating or using their services:
Stop by the center Tuesday though Thursday between 5:00 and 6:30pm for your free test HIV test, and while you are there see how you can get involved. This safe space is selective on volunteers, so ask about volunteer criteria. Also, look at their website for more information if you are interested in attending one of their many weekly sessions and events.
http://youthpride.org/1017 Edgewood Ave.Atlanta, GA 30307/404.521.9711
Also check with your local Bars and Nightclubs collecting for these great charities such as Jerusalem House, Toys for Tots, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Chris Kids and Malachi House. Please lets help give to those less fortunate during these tight economic times. Thank You, JB ~ The Have A Nice Day Company.