#HOPEANDACTION
We are proud to announce Action Ministries will be merging with Hope Atlanta
#HOPEANDACTION
HOPE Atlanta and Action Ministries Announce Intent to Merge
Two of Metro Atlanta’s most well-established nonprofits dedicated to fighting homelessness and food insecurity announced today that they intend to merge to create a comprehensive solution to address growing homelessness and hunger issues.
“At a time like this, we need bold action,” said HOPE Atlanta CEO Jeffrey Smythe. “Both of our agencies are uniquely positioned to serve the marginalized. When we combine our resources and networks, we’ll be able to expand our services and not just mobilize our staff, but entire communities, to create lasting change.”
Both HOPE Atlanta and Action Ministries have seen the need for services grow drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March. HOPE Atlanta, which provides 1-1 support and resources to people experiencing homelessness across 28 counties, has seen a 300% increase in calls for help over the past seven months.
Action Ministries, which provides hunger relief and housing programs for underserved families, reports an 800% increase in the need for food assistance. Before COVID-19, an estimated 13% of Georgia families were already food insecure.
“Homelessness and hunger often go hand in hand. With affordable housing in short supply, families have to make impossible sacrifices to cover rent,” said Action Ministries Chairman Adam Ogburn. “Now that the situation has grown more desperate for so many lower-income families, it’s the right time to formally join hands and maximize our impact.”
“With more than 177 years of collective experience helping vulnerable people, our combined organization is positioned to help Georgians through the worst crises in recent memory,” said HOPE Atlanta Board Chair David Zanaty. “We are excited about the strategic blend of our teams and services that will improve efficiencies and delivery of our mission.”
The combined organization expects to have an operating budget of about $16.5M annually, cover 31 Georgia counties, and reach more than 11,000 households per year. Additional details will be released in 2021. The merger is expected to close in January.
HOPE Atlanta (formerly Travelers Aid), founded in 1900, is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing and fighting homelessness. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive approach to address homelessness and provide solutions that promote lifelong stability.
Action Ministries, founded in 1963, mobilizes communities to address the challenges of poverty by focusing on hunger relief and housing for children and families across Georgia.
Why are Action Ministries and HOPE Atlanta merging?
We believe we will be better together! Our missions and visions are very similar and merging into one unified organization enables us to achieve our goals more effectively. Reducing overhead and duplication saves money that translates to even more effective services to more families and individuals in need. The unified organization will be more resilient and have greater capacity to meet the burgeoning demand for hunger and homelessness services across metro Atlanta and Georgia.
What is the timeline?
Each Board of Directors will approve a resolution of intention to merge on or before November 9, 2020. The target date for the actual merger is January 1, 2021 but the timeline is flexible so that we can accomplish the staffing, operations and logistical integrations needed for a seamless launch. We intend to be legally merged organization in January 2021.
What will the name of the organization be?
In the near term, we will take advantage of the strengths found in both names– Action Ministries known for robust hunger relief programs and active volunteers putting their heart for mission into action, HOPE Atlanta known for a diverse array of housing solutions and street outreach. In the coming months, the unified organization will mount a branding strategy effort, including gathering feedback from stakeholders, to make an informed decision about an official name.
With Action Ministries’ roots in Methodist churches and “faith in action”, will this change?
For decades, Action Ministries has served as a vehicle for people of faith to put that faith into action in the community, and this is one of the greatest assets it brings to the merger. The unified organization will not only maintain Action’s ties to the United Methodist Church and its congregations, but also seek to build new and enhanced relationships in diverse faith communities across Georgia. Neither HOPE Atlanta nor Action Ministries has ever required acts of faith or religious activities as a condition of employment or service. This will not change.
What will happen with my donation?
Your donation is going straight to the housing or hunger program for which it was intended. In the face of COVID-19 and skyrocketing demand for services, your donations are needed more than ever. Both Action Ministries and HOPE Atlanta’s websites have “donate now” options and donations may be earmarked for specific programs or initiatives as usual. As we integrate, the donation process will be streamlined, ensuring that your contributions have maximum impact and help those in greatest need.
Can I still volunteer? Can my group or congregation volunteer as a group?
Absolutely, yes! Our volunteer activities have had to pivot in response to COVID-19 to ensure that our staff, volunteers and clients remain safe and healthy, but we’ve created many meaningful individual and group volunteer opportunities.
Where will the services be provided and headquarters be located?
The organization will continue to provide services in all 32 counties that are currently being served. Both organizations’ headquarters in downtown (34 Peachtree St) and Brookhaven (1700 Century Circle) will continue to serve the merged organization, as we further refine our office space and case management intake needs. In early 2021, we will also merge and streamline our field offices as appropriate to provide the best possible programs in the communities we serve.
How will programs or services change? Who will be served?
The programs and services of both organizations responding to hunger and homelessness will continue with greater efficacy and impact. Both organizations have rich histories of serving families and individuals experiencing or at-risk of hunger and homelessness. Our programs are highly complementary, and we expect to continue these traditions with even greater impact and success.
Will this displace a large number of staff members?
The new merged organization offers meaningful roles to virtually all (95%) the employees of both organizations. Only a small number of positions will be eliminated, and we intend to offer generous severance and benefits to those valued personnel whose positions are impacted.
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