The Way
“May he give you the desire of your heart,
and make all your plans succeed"
Psalm 20:4
CEO Message
Welcome to 2020!

December marked the successful completion of our three-year strategic plan, in which BCM achieved all our primary goals:
·   Emergency Financial Assistance is up from 4 appointments to 8 per day
·   Foundation 3 is up from 8 households to 15
· Budget for Life expanded from 20 to 45 households and is now hosted at 3 locations

All of this was made possible through the combined and coordinated efforts of BCM’s dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and skilled staff. We have so much for which to be proud and grateful. So, bravo and thank you for a great 2019!

As we begin 2020, BCM is putting the finishing touches on a crystal-clear vision regarding the differences we want to make in the lives of those we serve and at what scale we envision our services for the community. Our strategic planning partners are about halfway through their work of helping our team chart the course for the future. This process is helping BCM in profound ways and we cannot wait to share the final plan with you this summer.

You will find in this edition of The Way that we have added new staff, the THRIFT ique is set for a grand reopening, Leadership Atlanta is conducting a feasibility study on the food pantry, and we are working toward a 100% giving volunteer base to match our 100% giving board and staff, plus much more.

We are thrilled for what lies ahead for BCM and the community and hope that, in conjunction with our expanding efforts, you will increase your involvement this year. It’s a leap year, after all — what are you going to do with those extra 24 hours?!

Thank you and God bless you in 2020.

With appreciation,

Keeva Kase
President & CEO
Buckhead Christian Ministry
Thank You for Thinking of Us!
#GivingTuesday is a worldwide collective philanthropic phenomenon aimed at harnessing the collaborative power of people working together to improve their communities. It comes immediately after an onslaught of consumerism — Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday—and asks us take advantage of a chance to pause, reflect, and act on the need to give back.
This year, BCM raised our goal for #GivingTuesday to $80,000—that's for one day of giving. We are delighted to share with you that your contributions on #GivingTuesday exceeded our goal and surpassed $83,000. THANK YOU for your support of our ministry and mission to provide life-changing services for individuals and families experiencing various stages of hunger and homelessness in the Atlanta area.
New Hires Highlight
If you have yet to meet BCM's newest hires, let us introduce you!
Abby Thurston is a graduate of Samford University, where she earned a Bachelor's in Education. She has joined BCM as the Development and Communications Associate. Since graduating, Abby has managed member services for a local tennis club. She has a passion for serving others. In her leisure time, she enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time with her dog, family, and friends, as well as leading a small group through North Point Community Church and Volunteering for the Crisis Text Line.
Hannah Jones is a recent graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned her Master's of Social Work. She has joined BCM as the Emergency Assistance Coordinator and brings to the table four years of experience working with families experiencing homelessness. She, too, enjoys hiking, in addition to playing with her dog, Penny.
Mary Beth Gore graduated from the University of Montevallo with a degree in Social Work. She has joined BCM as Volunteer and Church Support Manager. Before recently moving to the Atlanta area with her husband, she lived in Birmingham, AL, where she worked for three different non-profits, most of which involved providing services for those experiencing homelessness. Mary Beth says she is "passionate about serving those who are most vulnerable" and is "excited to partner with local churches and communities to help those in need."
Church Partner Spotlight: Be Rich
Be Rich is an annual generosity campaign through Buckhead Church that provides an avenue for members to give, serve, and spread love throughout Atlanta. Be Rich's partnership with BCM has provided nearly 200 volunteers to serve in various capacities within our organization, which has been a special blessing this holiday season. The group also collected $85,000 in donations, which will help fund a THRIFT ique box truck and driver salary for one year. Thank you, Buckhead Church and Be Rich volunteers!
New Vision, New Seeds to Sow
Along with the New Year comes a new vision for The Seeds of Change Society.

This society has partnered with BCM's ministry to empower women in financial crisis so that they are able to regain confidence, become self-sufficient, and lead their families to better health and well-being. We are looking to grow the Seeds of Change Society in 2020 and hope that you will help with that effort.

Want to make an impact? Membership in The Seeds of Change Society involves invitations to many aspects of service throughout the year, but there is no membership service requirement. Annual membership requires a minimum donation of $500, and sponsorships begin at $1,000. Along with recognition of their support across a number of platforms, sponsors and members receive tickets to events such as the annual Seeds member luncheon, and other private Seeds events; such as the New Member Coffee and Cocktail Soiree, as well as various volunteer opportunities; such as the Prom Dress Event, and the Budget for Life graduation. We would be honored to have you join the Seeds of Change Society and hope you will consider adding a membership to start the New Year strong!
 
If you would like to join or have questions regarding annual memberships, please click the link below. We would love to have you join us on our journey!
From Blueprints to Buisness
After months of planning, renovations, re-imagined staffing, appeals for more volunteers and the ability to accept larger donations, Buckhead THRIFTique is in the planning stages for its grand reopening. Save the date and join us on January 25th as we kick-off 2020 with Buckhead THRIFTique, more details to come! Michelle Krompegal, THRIFTique’s Director of Retail Operations, says this is a mile-marker for Buckhead THRIFTique’s expanding and evolving service to our community, and the customer experience. The renovated store boasts larger areas for clothing, shoes, and housewares, among other improvements to both the aesthetic and logistic aspects of its operations. To see for yourself, visit Buckhead THRIFTique at 800 Miami Circle, Suite 160 Atlanta, GA 30305.
Click below, for a list of items we accept or for more information.
Year of the Volunteer
2019 brought a great deal of activity for volunteers, including a handful of operational changes that our dedicated volunteers have met dutifully and willingly.

The announcement of Client Choice technology is an exciting new aspect of our ministry, and will help us to serve our clients' individual preferences and needs. It also requires training on our side! We would like to invite Hospitality, Intake, and Helpline volunteers to attend training sessions for the new system, hosted by our Emergency Assistance team. This training will review the new check-in process and client choice software, as well as how clients will choose their own food from our food pantry. Click here to sign up for training in January!

With great responsibility also comes great reason to celebrate...and that is EXACTLY what we did at our 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch in October! For this event, more than 100 volunteers gathered at the InterContinental Buckhead to join in fellowship and celebration of many jobs well done throughout the year. Volunteers, BCM staff, and even Freddie the Falcon came together for brunch, entertainment, and volunteer testimony. Once again, THANK YOU for another year of diligent service and commitment!
Click here to view photos from the event.
'Tis The Season of Goal Setting
BCM's initiative for $20.20
Given our achievement of 100% board and staff giving in 2019, we are setting a new goal of one step above that: 100% volunteer giving. Help us start the decade off right by donating $20.20 , helping us achieve 100% volunteer, board, and staff giving.
BCM Community Partners
Shop, donate or volunteer at Buckhead THRIFT ique  to directly support BCM's programs!
Shop AmazonSmile and earn donations for BCM! When you choose BCM at checkout, with every purchase, AmazonSmile donates .5% of the price of eligible purchases to our ministry.
When you buy or sell your house with A Happy House and Keller Williams Real Estate Agents, upon closing, you can choose BCM as the charity they'll support through the sale!
By enrolling in Kroger Community Rewards and selecting BCM, every trip to the grocery store using your Plus Card is a rewarding experience for BCM!

Book your next move with Two Men And A Truck.
They give back to BCM!
Two Men and a Truck donate their time, talents, and resources to BCM by providing moving services for our clients. Their services are invaluable to our clients, many of whom would otherwise be at a loss when it comes to moving transportation. As a way of showing our gratitude on behalf of our clients, we encourage you to book your next move with this company, which comes with a 96% customer referral rate.
Click here to become a BCM Community Partner