When the sun rises on Central Avenue near the Fulton County Courthouse and many are coming to work, there is another rush of people circulating, rolling suitcases and toting bags, blankets and other belongings. They are part of Fulton’s homeless population. Nearby churches and shelters offer them breakfast. They get their meals and often keep moving, while some linger around downtown buildings.
There’s another story at the Fulton County Jail. An internal report conducted last week indicated 162 inmates were classified as homeless during the booking process. They told jail staff they lived in shelters. Some did not know their addresses. That snapshot reflects what detention officers, deputies, jail medical staff and other civilian workers see every day, all year long.
Five years ago, during a discussion with Fulton County Sheriff’s Office volunteer chaplains, an idea arose to reach out to this population in distress. The chaplains wanted to establish a project to provide these citizens with basic needs — critical items such as deodorant, razors, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other toiletries, and socks to help keep their feet clean and dry.
This volunteer-powered endeavor became known as the Homeless Initiative. Chaplains, staff and neighbors donate the toiletries, which are distributed as kits, hot meals, services and entertainment for the crowds that gather.
This year, the initiative will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the form of a block party on Central Avenue, in front of the Fulton County Courthouse. Event organizers have secured city permits to have Central closed to traffic from Mitchell Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The first Homeless Initiatives took place in parks around downtown. Those efforts taught us how to improve the project, which increased the number of persons who come to receive help. There also appears to be a high concentration of persons in need outside the doors of the courthouse, sheriff’s office, City Hall, Capitol, Underground Atlanta and the other attractions that draw tourists.
Homelessness is not a crime. We cannot criminalize citizens who do not have a permanent address.
Included in the Homeless Initiative will be interaction with health professionals. In years past, participants could take an HIV test. To allay fears, I took the HIV test first. There have been blood-pressure screenings and nurses to speak with participants. Deputies who are emergency medical technicians will be present to respond to any crises. The Sheriff’s Office Chaplaincy Program will offer spiritual counseling. Deputies and detention officers will lend their ears to listen to concerns.
The Homeless Initiative continues to grow. In 2014, approximately 1,000 people were fed and given supplies. While this effort is one day of outreach, the goal of the Homeless Initiative is to serve as a day of hope to encourage our neighbors and show them we care.
If anyone wants to help, please call us at 404-612-9185 or email us at info@fultonsheriff.net.
Ted Jackson is the Fulton County Sheriff.
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