The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Northside Hospital, Avalon team up to help homeless
Campaign to benefit residents of North Fulton’s Drake House.
In an effort to make the holidays special for deserving families, the Avalon in Alpharetta and Northside Hospital have teamed up to bring some holiday cheer with the help of the community to benefit The Drake House. The organization provides short-term crisis housing, education, and empowerment programs to homeless single mothers and their children in north metro Atlanta.
“Northside Hospital and Avalon decided to benefit The Drake House this holiday season as it is the only agency of its kind in North Fulton. We wanted to contribute towards a cause that would assist local families by providing extra comfort during the holiday season while spreading holiday cheer throughout our community,” said Allyse Gillen, specialty assets and entertainment manager.
The Drake House serves the North Atlanta metro area, which has the highest growth of suburban poverty in the nation with single mothers being the fastest growing homeless population. “A key component of our program is that it allows male children over 12 to remain with their families,” said Holly M. York, director of development The Drake House. Traditionally, women’s emergency shelters require teenage male sons to reside in a men’s shelter, separating them from their mother and siblings.
Partnering with Avalon and Northside will allow the organization to make the holidays special for the families it serves. The 2016 Giveback Campaign began on Nov. 21 and aims to collect gifts for The Drake House. Organizers hope gifts such as toys, books, games, craft supplies, clothing and household items will make great gifts for the families at The Drake House. The campaign will run until Dec. 31. Community members can also donate to the organization and its many programs.
“The Avalon giveback allows The Drake House to become more widely known in north metro Atlanta. The number of guests and the great reach into the community helps more people understand that there are ways to give back to the community through donations of goods, cash contributions and volunteerism,” added York. “The funds raised are directly impacting the families by continuing programing for financial literacy/ budgeting classes, career coaching and enrichment for our children. This season we have already helped move in two families since Thanksgiving and another five will be added in by year end.”
To continue making a difference after the holiday, people can also donate to the food pantry or clothing for its thrift store, The Drake Closet, which accepts gently worn women’s accessories and clothing.
“We felt that it was important to come together as a community and support those around us in need,” said Gillen. “We are thankful to be a part of the gift giveback program and provide our guests a chance to join us in giving back this holiday season.”
The Drake House serves about 50 families and 100 children each year.