On Saturday, June 19, Project H.E.L.P. Atlanta partnered with Safehouse Outreach, Walmart, Mercy Care and Hope Thru Soap to serve more than 250 Atlantans experiencing homelessness.
At Safehouse Outreach’s downtown Atlanta location, 25 of these attendees received Johnson & Johnson vaccinations through a partnership with Walmart, and Mercy Care performed 35 wellness checks and delivered on-site medical recommendations for those experiencing homelessness. Project H.E.L.P. also distributed 400 wellness kits filled with socks, toothbrushes, deodorant and other hygiene items.
“This day of service was all about lifting up our neighbors and celebrating Juneteenth,” said Daniel Farr, Project H.E.L.P. Atlanta Founder. “Too many in Atlanta face homelessness and are often overlooked, which is why Project H.E.L.P. is mobilizing young professionals to serve, bring resources and equip those among us to combat home insecurity.”
“We’re just excited to give back a bit of dignity to everyone,” Megan VandeBogert, Hope Through Soap Executive Director said, on the importance of providing showers to boost the self-esteem of those living with homelessness.
Project H.E.L.P. took their service a step further by providing 100 event guests with roundtrip Marta public transportation cards to ensure they had direct access to attend medical appointments and more.
Project H.E.L.P.’s leaders credit the 48 volunteers for making this Juneteenth day of service possible, along with MoMo’s Food Truck and Lady and The Beast BBQ, who served as the official food truck vendors and provided free meals for all those in attendance.
While the organization’s goal was to serve those experiencing homelessness, Farr shares that giving back to his community was also a benefit for him as he uncovered his calling to serve.
“Just to put a smile on someone’s face, to provide them with a sense of normalcy in the midst of their current situation and to show them that there are people rooting for them to win in life is most fulfilling for me,” he said.
Now that the organization’s inaugural Juneteenth Day of Service is over, the Project H.E.L.P. Atlanta team is back to their regularly scheduled service plans, said Farr.
“We are moving full-speed ahead with our goal of transitioning those experiencing homelessness from the streets to self sufficiency,” he said. “We are continuing to listen to our neighbors to best learn how we can be an ally and what they really need. We will continue to provide meals and place an increased focus on providing year round hygiene opportunities, including showers and haircuts.”
Farr also noted the recent job placement of Herbert Walden, who was experiencing homelessness. Because of Project H.E.L.P. Atlanta, Graham Packaging and Safehouse Outreach, Wallace will begin working this month.
