In the News
Atlanta Hawks Officially Debut Their Peach 2022-23 Nike NBA City Edition Uniform
Our CEO Raphael Holloway continues to build bridges in our community, encourage his staff, innovate, and inspire each day he walks into Gateway Center. His passion for making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring is seen through his work in and outside of Gateway Center. We’re honored to have him as our CEO.
Congratulations Raphael for being recognized by Atlanta Magazine along with so many amazing and dynamic leaders for the 2023 Atlanta Magazine 500 Most Powerful Leaders.
Forum discusses state of homelessness in metro Atlanta area
A forum focusing on the state of homeless people in metro Atlanta took place Thursday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Midtown Atlanta.
Gateway Center CEO, Raphael Holloway, Discusses Homelessness and Covid-19 on WSBTV
Atlanta, we have a housing problem. It’s time more of us cared
Up to 40% of Atlanta’s homeless population is at risk of contracting COVID-19. The Gateway Center has quickly responded to the pandemic with personal hygiene and social distancing protocols as well as symptom screening for all who come to and reside in its facilities. In addition, GWC has partnered with the Department of Public Health and Partners for Home to open and staff a 170-bed hotel in downtown Atlanta that is serving as an isolation center for infected individuals who do not require hospitalization but do require isolation.
“The pandemic has created a unique opportunity for the community to come together in new ways.” -Raphael Holloway
A Call to Service – Atlanta Magazine
When the world began to split at the seams, Alicia Philipp, the longtime director of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, was in a vineyard in Sao Pedro do Sul, Portugal, visiting family …
Gateway Center Co-Founder Discusses Efforts To Help Unsheltered Population Amid Pandemic
Since the start of COVID-19, the number of people seeking shelter has tripled due to the closure of churches and the need to stop taking new clients at homeless shelters to restrict communal spread of COVID. Listen to Jack Hardin discuss solutions such as emergency housing at hotels, COVID-19 testing among the homeless population and the SOAR initiative.
Gateway Center: Safeguarding the Most Vulnerable
Up to 40% of Atlanta’s homeless population is at risk of contracting COVID-19. The Gateway Center has quickly responded to the pandemic with personal hygiene and social distancing protocols as well as symptom screening for all who come to and reside in its facilities. In addition, GWC has partnered with the Department of Public Health and Partners for Home to open and staff a 170-bed hotel in downtown Atlanta that is serving as an isolation center for infected individuals who do not require hospitalization but do require isolation.
“The pandemic has created a unique opportunity for the community to come together in new ways.” -Raphael Holloway
Homeless shelters ramp up testing to stave off spread of virus
Increased testing in Atlanta’s homeless shelters has helped to identify cases of COVID-19 within the homeless population. Approximately 2000 tests have been administered in homeless shelters as of April 20th, and organizations are working with hospitals to continue to identify and help those experiencing homelessness during this pandemic.
“Our shelters were vigilant early on to get people to social distance in a very effective way.” -Partners for Home executive director Cathryn Marchman
As coronavirus spreads, Atlanta finds hotel to house sick homeless
The Gateway Center is one of the leading partners to protect those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. Since the outbreak, the GWC has taken preventative measures such as social distancing and instituting handwashing and cleaning protocols. Those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are sent to Grady Hospital, and after they are discharged are welcomed back to the GWC.
“No one is being discharged to the street.” -Raphael Holloway
Gateway Center featured on Public Affairs on Peach
Amanda Van Dalen, Director of Residential Services and Coordinated Entry, speaks on Public Affairs on Peach about the work being done at the Gateway Center. She discusses our five keys of success which are housing placement and stability, financial literacy, job training and placement, health and stability, and family and community.
Homeless to Graduate: now he’s helping change lives with a local nonprofit
Alejandro Dillard graduates from the Gateway Center. Alejandro started as a client at the GWC, using our programs as well as going back to technical school at age 41. He gained access to job training, medical care, and other services. Each client is given individualized care and aid to ensure that they succeed during and after their involvement at the Gateway Center.
“Don’t give up on yourself because you made the biggest step when you walked through the front door.”
-Alejandro Dillard
Atlanta refused to give up on homelessness. It’s working.
The HomeFirst funds raised by the City of Atlanta and Jack Hardin in the private sector has actively helped people to end their homelessness. Because of the initiative amongst organizations like the Gateway Center to end homeless in Atlanta, people that would otherwise be homeless have access to a social worker, three meals a day, regular rides to the grocery stores and park, nightly games and other activities with staff and tenants, a pool room, and more. Amongst the cities that struggle with increases in homelessness, Atlanta has been the most determined and persistent and has distinguished itself from other cities in reducing homelessness. Since 2015, homelessness in Atlanta has been reduced by 25%.
Atlanta makes progress in reducing homelessness, but safety concerns worsen downtown
Hoteliers in Downtown Atlanta have noticed an increase in the homeless population occupying the streets, specifically those experiencing a mental illness or substance abuse. This has led to further discussion with those pioneering the end of homelessness in Atlanta. The $50 million raised by HomeFirst and Jack Hardin will be used to develop solutions for Atlanta’s homeless population, such as building permanent supportive housing. This is an important shift in the City of Atlanta’s goal to end homelessness from providing emergency or crisis shelters to long-term, permanent housing. Despite a seemingly higher number of homelessness on the streets, there has been a decrease in the amount of unsheltered people.
Gateway Center and the Table on Delk
The Gateway Center was featured on the Good Works Show to promote inspiring news and information. Raphael Holloway, the CEO of the GWC, explains how the GWC is partnering with other organizations and promoting unity in order to better serve those in need of aid in the metro Atlanta area. The GWC is not a shelter, but a homeless service center that provides those experiencing homelessness with a means to escape their homelessness long-term rather than provide temporary solutions.
City of Atlanta set to launch $50 million HomeFirst program to curb homelessness
The City of Atlanta raised $25 million through HomeFirst funds that will be administered by Invest Atlanta. Jack Hardin, the co-chair of the Regional Commission on Homelessness, raised the other $25 million in the private sector. The money raised through HomeFirst will be used for renovations, construction of affordable housing, and other facilities while the money raised through the private sector will be used for services.
With the ideas and efforts from Atlanta attorney and co-chair of the Regional Commission on Homelessness, Jack Hardin, the HomeFirst initiative has raised $50 million to aid homelessness in Atlanta. Half of the money was raised through the City’s HomeFirst funds, which will be administered by Invest Atlanta. The other half of the funds were raised by Hardin from the private sector. The city’s half will be used for hard costs like renovation and construction of affordable housing and other facilities, while the private half of the fund will be used for emergency shelters, permanent supporting shelters, rapid rehousing, and more.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, John Lewis launch ‘ATL Counts’ ahead of 2020 Census
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms launched ATL Counts Census 2020 to ensure that every person in the city of Atlanta is included in the census. Congressman John Lewis will join Mayor Bottoms to serve as Co-Chair of ATL Counts to ensure that the most hard-to-reach populations are accounted for. The accuracy of the census is crucial to determine how much the federal government will contribute to the city’s efforts to provide the population of Atlanta with the proper resources and services.
“This is more than just a count. The Census is about the representation of each resident and ensuring our communities are reflective of the Atlanta we see every day.”
-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
Closer Look: The Mission of Atlanta’s Gateway Center
Jack Hardin speaks with Rose Scott on Closer Look about the history and goals of the Gateway Center.
Man released from jail on Father’s Day turns life around
Don’t Count Me Out, a program run by Monique James, helped Jimmy Lockett to get out of prison and start a new life. The program helped bail Lockett out of jail on Father’s Day, and after 5 months of being out of prison he has transformed his life and now has the desire to help others the same way that he was helped.
“I wanna help other brothers and sisters that may have to be out here on the street.”
-Jimmy Lockett
Pre-Thanksgiving BBQ for homeless
Fox Bros., Jim-N-Nicks Bar-Be-Que, and Alair Homes Decatur worked together to provide a barbeque feast to The Gateway Center the day before Thanksgiving for those experiencing homelessness. Men, women, and children were all invited to enjoy the feast together. Anthony Hamilton of Alair Homes Decatur started this tradition in 2014 when he and his family decided to give back during the holiday season, a time when people are usually concerned about getting.
Homeless population continues to shrink in Atlanta’s latest count
Annual count in 2018 shows a 14% decrease in homelessness since 2017. Homelessness among veterans and families rose slightly as well as the amount of people living on the streets rather than in shelters. However, these numbers allow those working to end homelessness to identify where the focus needs to be and how to combat this issues. Since 2015, Atlanta has seen a 30% decrease in homelessness
The Gateway Center on The Good Works Show
Listen to Raphael’s interview on The Good Works Show.
Finding Hope: Homeless at Hartsfield get help finding shelter as overnight airport entry restricted
Many people experiencing homelessness take shelter at the the Airport during the night. However, the Airport began closing its doors to people without a boarding ticket between 11:00 pm and 4:30 am. This change in Airport policy has formed a strong partnership between the Airport, HOPE Atlanta, and the Gateway Center to connect those experiencing homelessness to proper services and resources. An outreach team from HOPE Atlanta started canvassing the Airport for those experiencing homelessness in hopes that they could connect them with the Gateway Center and thus the right resources.
Homeless advocates brace for freezing temps without Peachtree-Pine
The Gateway Center coordinates with the rest of the city to shelter those affected by the closing of Peachtree-Pine. Raphael Holloway, CEO of the GWC, has coordinated with the city to raise money to fund the upcoming needs that the city will face this winter without Peachtree-Pine.
Peachtree-Pine shelter closes; homeless residents get permanent apartments
Atlanta Attorney Jack Hardin, Co-Chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission for the Homeless and Chairman of the Gateway Homeless Center joined with Project Community Connection, Partners for Home and the Atlanta Housing Authority, helped relocate Peachtree-Pine’s homeless population. Through interviews and assessments, they were able to determine the appropriate housing and interventions for each individual and family.
Local shelters opening their door to help homeless get off the cold streets
The Gateway Center provided warm shelter for hundreds of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness during the cold months despite the GWC being a transitional shelter for men. Those being sheltered expressed gratitude for the warm shelter provided by the GWC. Despite being technically closed during late hours of the night, the GWC will not turn anyone away who is seeking warm shelter.