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Letter From BCM President

Dear Friends,


It’s a privilege to communicate with you as President and CEO of BCM Georgia. Our mission is critical to me. In my former role as the executive director of a place-based ministry, I had the honor of witnessing the role that “home” plays in so many people’s lives.


Too often, when we think of homelessness, we think of it first and foremost as a material condition: as a lack of shelter, amenities, or status. But a home is so much more than a structure or convenience—it’s a place where we care for ourselves and others, where we connect with neighbors and our community; it also has a major influence on our ability to access opportunity, both economic and otherwise.


Over the last few months, I’ve been so inspired to witness the passion and capability of our team. In the last several years we’ve managed to expand our service radius and narrow our focus to provide more meaningful support to a wider range of people; we updated our branding to reflect shifts in programming and operations, all while dealing with the aftershocks of a global pandemic as well as a host of other changes.


And there’s more on the way. In the coming months, I’m excited to share some big news that will allow us to serve even more individuals and families in Atlanta and across Georgia. But first, I want to take this opportunity to connect with each of you. None of what we do would be possible without you, and until I have a chance to tell you so in person, I want you to know how very grateful I am to be a part of your community.


Sincerely,

Greg Cole

President & CEO, BCM Georgia

Tee It Up Golf Tournament

Every year in September we host the Tee It Up Golf Tournament to raise money for Georgia individuals and families who are facing hardships. Proceeds from the event allow us to qualify and serve more people with our life-changing programs.


The event is held at Peachtree Golf Club, an exclusive, world-class course ranked as a U.S. Top 25 Golf Course. This promises to be an unforgettable event with opportunities to connect, compete, and unite in our effort to prevent homelessness and promote opportunity in Atlanta and across Georgia.


We’re still actively seeking sponsors for this year’s tournament. Click below to learn more.

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A New Chapter in Renter Protections

Georgia House Bill 404 went into effect earlier this month, marking an important milestone for renter protections across the state.


The bill, known as the “Safe at Home” Act, requires landlords to maintain housing that is “fit for human habitation.” In addition to supporting tenant complaints and code enforcement, the law puts a cap on the amount landlords can demand as security deposit and requires a grace period before landlords can file for evictions.


Elizabeth Appley, a Georgia housing lobbyist, told Atlanta News First that most states adopted these standards over 50 years ago. “Every eviction in Georgia costs over $11,000 in the cost of emergency shelter, emergency room visits, medical hospitalization,” she said. “The problem is, people have no place to go and that’s why they end up tolerating this. Because we have a drastic shortage of housing at every income level in Georgia.”


Work Still to Do

This bill is an important step toward safe and stable housing. BCM staff members actually helped advocate for it by speaking to lawmakers during the last session. However, it’s important to note that it still leaves a lot of room for progress. The bill currently does not define what “fit for human habitation” actually means, and the grace period it extends to tenants is only three days.


Furthermore, it does not address the primary driver of homelessness in our community, which is the lack of affordable housing for low- and middle-income families. Until we’re able to ensure that individuals and families have access to safe AND affordable housing opportunities, we will continue to rely on safety nets to protect our vulnerable neighbors.

BCM Team & Representative Karen Lupton

Heather Franklin, Rev. Jamie Butcher | Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian, Rev. Rebekah LeMon | Senior Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church

An Integrated Approach to Preventing Homelessness

BCM was founded in 1987 by six Buckhead churches who helped their vulnerable neighbors access shelter, food, and clothing. 


BCM Georgia now serves more than 117 zip codes in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. In addition to expanding our service radius, in the past several years we have also refined our programming to focus on the initiatives that yield the highest impact for our neighbors and the communities we serve.


Emergency Housing Assistance 

Emergency Housing Assistance provides emergency payments for housing-related bills so families can remain safe in their homes while they navigate challenging circumstances.


Foundation 3 ™

Foundation 3 ™ helps unhoused working families access safe housing, stable employment, and financial education while accounting for other barriers like childcare and transportation access. 


Budget for Life ™

Budget for Life ™ is a 12-month financial education program that provides neighbors with case management and one-on-one coaching to help them achieve financial strength.


A Holistic Approach

According to LendingTree, 53% of Americans do not have a designated emergency fund, which means more than half of us are vulnerable to unforeseen challenges that could potentially leave us without a home. 


BCM Georgia prevents homelessness by supporting families in crisis while also addressing its root causes, so that families can lead stable and connected lives that allow them to thrive. 


According to Eloise Bracey, Chief Program Officer at BCM Georgia, “The agency’s success can be attributed to its engagement with the community, understanding of its needs, and partnerships with other community agencies to serve those in need. I am enthusiastic about continuing to find innovative ways to meet Georgians' housing and economic empowerment needs.”


Click below to learn more about how we’re empowering families and preventing homelessness in our communities.

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The mission of BCM Georgia is to keep people from becoming homeless and work to elevate their possibilities for economic empowerment. Learn more at bcmgeorgia.org.

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