Celebrating 100 Care Days!
Atlanta, GA – September 21, 2021 – HomeAid Atlanta celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and on September 10, the building industry nonprofit celebrated an additional milestone: 100 HomeAid Care Days. Since 2008, HomeAid Care Days, powered by building industry volunteers, have provided nearly $840,000 in free facility maintenance, upgrades, and repairs for organizations that provide housing and services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
The 100th HomeAid Care Day took place at Jerusalem House, which provides permanent supportive housing for low-income and homeless individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Nearly 40 volunteers from SouthState Bank, Brand Vaughan Lumber, and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association completed major landscaping work and general grounds clean-up at Jerusalem House’s Family Program site. Longtime HomeAid supporter Brand Vaughan Lumber’s volunteers included some long-distance guests for the occasion: one volunteer drove in from Columbus, GA and one woman traveled from New York to volunteer with her father.
“This Care Day milestone is only possible because of the many caring and hardworking people who have volunteered with us over the years. This was our second Care Day at Jerusalem House and we are honored to partner with such an amazing organization to help give struggling families a little encouragement and beauty in their lives,” said Karen McLane, HomeAid Atlanta Director of Community Engagement.
The September 10 Care Day provided a savings of over $8,100 for Jerusalem House. Because HomeAid Care Days are free-of-charge, metro Atlanta service provider organizations save money on building maintenance and repairs. Instead of spending on facility issues, they can use their funds to care for the families and individuals they serve, like Natalie and her son, Kevin, residents at Jerusalem House’s Family Program.
Kevin is an 11th grade aspiring engineer. His mother, Natalie, has struggled to raise three sons alone. She knows education is the key to unlock endless possibilities for their success. Kevin found out about an interactive summer enrichment program at Georgia Tech. Unfortunately, the cost of the program was beyond what Natalie could afford. When she thought all hope was lost, she decided to speak with her counselor at Jerusalem House. Natalie was overjoyed when she was told that the cost would be covered. Janice Harris-Corry, Jerusalem House Senior Vice President - Housing, said, "We were pleased to be able to assist this family and make it possible for Kevin to participate in a program of this caliber. The opportunity for him to be exposed to new ideas and new ways of learning is priceless."
HomeAid Care Days not only make a major impact for service providers, but also on volunteers. SouthState Bank volunteer Elaine Cook said, “Everyone deserves the chance to get back on their feet. With HomeAid’s volunteer work, we are helping to provide that second chance.”