Decatur Cooperative Ministry
Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to PReVENT and alleviate homelessness. Located in downtown Decatur, Georgia, DCM provides housing assistance to the surrounding DeKalb County area by providing emergency shelter for women with children, long-term transitional housing for families with children and bill payment to prevent eviction, foreclosure, or utility cut-off.
DCM was founded in 1969 by a small group of Christian churches and is now supported by over 35 congregations from 14 faith practices as well as by the United Way, educational institutions, government agencies, businesses, civic organizations and community groups.
Programs
Family Transitional Housing
The Family Transitional Housing program provides housing and support services to move families from homelessness to self-reliance in 6 to 24 months. The program, often called “Family House,” uses single-family houses and apartments throughout DeKalb County. Both single and two-parent families may apply, and hard-to-place families, including those headed by single fathers or with teenage boys, are welcome.
While participating in the program, families receive: housing, utilities, case management, non-clinical counseling, financial management classes, a savings plan and computer training. Referrals to other services are also made for free child care, legal assistance and health care.
FTH residents contribute 25% of their adjusted income to an account with DCM. At the end of their participation in the program, all but 5% is returned to the family as savings. This money can then be used for rent, security and utility deposits, and moving expenses.
In 2008, DCM provided a temporary home for 13 families through its Family Transitional Housing program, thus helping 16 parents and 35 children during a critical period in their lives.
Hagar’s House
Hagar’s House is an emergency night shelter with support services for women with children. The shelter offers at least 30 nights of short-term housing and has room for up to 30 guests.
While participating in the program, families receive thorough assessment and crisis intervention, two meals per day, laundry facilities, MARTA fares, computer training opportunities, employment counseling, a support group and referrals to other services, such as free child care, legal assistance and health care. Hagar's House is unique because it can accommodate very large families and families with teenage boys — two groups that typically struggle to find emergency shelter.
In 2008, Hagar's House provided 64 families made up of 64 mothers and 159 children with temporary, emergency shelter.
Project Take Charge
Project Take Charge is a homelessness prevention program that provides emergency assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities, and food. The program serves DeKalb County residents who are in immediate danger of eviction, foreclosure, or disconnection of utility service. Project Take Charge also provides food through a food pantry and operates a food cooperative to offer permanent food security to selected low-income households.
PTC is unique because it strives not only to address the immediate crisis but also to provide the knowledge and skills needed to help participants achieve long-term financial stability. All participants receiving financial assistance attend a three-part financial management class, designed to provide emotional support and better money management skills. The class discusses budgeting, coping with financial stress, reducing expenses and debt and setting realistic financial goals.
In 2008, Project Take Charge served a total of 1,774 individuals last year by preventing homelessness or utility disconnections for 240 households and by providing food for an additional 384 households.