Gateway Center expands outreach to mentally ill

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gateway Center officials said Tuesday they will work with the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities on efforts to aid mentally ill homeless residents in the city of Atlanta.

The center's executive director, Vince Smith, mentioned the initiative as part of the facilities goals for 2010. Officials said formerly homeless Atlantans will help in the effort to reach out to mentally ill people living on city streets.

Center officials discussed the effort at a launch of its revamped Web site, www.gatewayctr.org. The center, located in downtown Atlanta, opened in 2005. It provides emergency shelter, job training and other services for the homeless.