By Norma V. Nyhoff
On July 31, Nicholas House, a Grant Park-based shelter serving homeless families, took their annual Dream Builders fundraiser event virtual. The Dream Builders Virtual Celebration Event, presented by Genuine Parts Company, brought together supporters with a goal of raising $350,000 for Nicholas House’s programs. The livestream event included performances from Kelly Price and Ken Ford, appearances from Monica Pearson, Ricky Smiley, Arian Simone, and Michelle Taylor Willis, and testimonials from families served by Nicholas House.
In addition to serving approximately 300 homeless parents and children throughout Metro Atlanta every night with programs that include an emergency shelter as well as apartment-based housing, Nicholas House has also responded to the COVID-19 crisis with assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, and food for economically-impacted families. So far, more than 250 family members have received support to prevent eviction and utilities cutoffs.
While the Dream Builders event raises money annually to provide services for homeless families, this year funds are needed more than ever. “Not only have we had to cancel multiple fundraisers to protect the health of our community, losing vital program funds, we are also facing increased costs to stabilize and protect the health of our staff and the families in our programs,” says Executive Director Dennis Bowman. “All of this is happening during a pandemic that has led so many families into crisis, including families who never imagined they might be at risk of losing their homes. The need for our services is greater now than ever, but we can only rise to meet the need with the help of our community. That is why this year’s Dream Builders event is so important.”
To learn more about the Nicholas House Dream Builders Virtual Celebration Event, watch a recording of the event, or make a donation, please visit www.nicholashouse.org/dreambuilders2020.
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