To learn more about volunteering or donating to help North Fulton’s families in poverty or facing homelessness, contact these organizations:
The Drake House – Crisis housing for homeless mothers with children
www.thedrakehouse.org
770-587-4712
The Drake Closet – Boutiques specializing in fashionable, affordable women’s clothing benefitting The Drake House
Historic Roswell – 825 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell, GA 678-682-3551
Downtown Alpharetta – 26 Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA 678-319-1410
North Fulton Community Charities – Food pantry/support for families
nfcchelp.org
Renewed economic vitality in North Fulton these days is cause for celebration. Businesses sprout on main streets and tenants fill office space. Alpharetta’s “Avalon” development of 86-acres off Old Milton Parkway, with its retail, restaurants and upscale residences, promises “the art of living well.”
Yet on the fringe of our cities exists another segment of society. It’s comprised of service workers with low incomes and others still unemployed. These individuals and families struggle to make ends meet, and sometimes end up homeless.
I’ve witnessed the reality of suburban poverty while volunteering at The Drake House in Roswell, a non-profit charity organization where North Fulton homeless mothers and their minor children can find temporary housing. Drake social workers provide programs teaching nutrition, budgeting and empowerment skills to ensure self-reliance. Children and teens find tutors and mentors, and retain transportation to their North Fulton schools.
Support for Drake comes from many area religious, civic and business organizations, as well as individuals who donate treasure and time. Volunteers range from teens and moms to retired folks and strong guys with trucks. Fundraisers include The Drake Walk in May, as well as galas and fashion shows with garments donated to the two Drake Closet boutiques, where costumers are welcome.
The largest Drake fundraiser is today in the 600 Block of Atlanta Street in Historic Roswell Square. Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ features 100 flavors of ice cream, music from DJ Neezy, and a ton of fun. Tickets can be purchased ahead at the event.
“Drake House has given me some peace and a lot of help,” one Drake mom recently told me. It’s a common refrain. Since opening its doors in 2006, The Drake House has served over 300 families with over 560 children.
“Homelessness in our community has an invisible face,” explained Christy Merrit, director of programs at Drake. I was shocked at Merrit’s statistics:
• Since 2011, there’s been a 159 percent increase in homelessness in the suburbs (according to the Brookings Institute).
• Georgia’s child poverty rate is 27.2 percent, with Alpharetta at 5.1 percent; Johns Creek at 5.6 percent; Milton at 6.8 percent; Roswell at 12 percent; and Sandy Springs at 13.2 percent.
• In North Fulton Schools, at least 10 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch (including six elementary schools where 50 percent of kids qualify, three middle schools where 50 percent qualify, and four high schools where 30 percent qualify).
What causes these statistics may be debated, but getting help to the needy should not. Until we tackle the deep problems of wage stagnation and affordable housing, we should probably mute the celebration of our economic recovery.
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