Vision

The Mission of AIM [top]

The Mission of Atlanta Inner-city Ministry is to involve Metro Atlanta in ministry to bring wholeness and productivity to impoverished individuals in South Fulton county by providing the unemployed and underemployed adults life skills; by providing children and youth enrichment activities, and providing the homeless food, clothing, and other basic human needs.

The Vision of AIM [top]

To establish a network of individuals, churches, corporations, trusts, and foundations with the goal of providing ministry to the hurting in Metro Atlanta.

To promote the involvement of Metro Atlanta focusing on the significant problems of poverty and its negative effects on children, youth and adults in South Fulton

To provide safe and wholesome activities for children and youth

To provide wholistic emotional, educational, and spiritual opportunities for unemployed or underemployed adults through ESL, GED, job training and work internships, with coaching toward effective employment.

To become the primary distributor of food and clothing to residents of Lakewood Heights and reaching out to South Fulton county as well.

The Strategy of AIM [top]

In 2003 AIM was organized to become a faith-based initiative with 501c3 compliance with intent to better meet the long term needs of the community we serve. In 2004 we will seek financial support through foundations, trusts, businesses, corporations, and governmental organizations to better provide the community needs in Southeast Atlanta. We seek to minister to the whole child. When we reach the children we unleash wonderful potential in the community. When we reach children we prevent needless trauma in their lives. When we reach children we reach the nation. Our strategy is to make a long-term commitment to the children and youth in South Fulton, directing them around the potholes of childhood and hostile culture within adolescence, and instilling concern for and involvement in their community.

Our Values [top]

We are called to the inner-city.

We are committed to a wholistic approach to ministry.

We will work in partnership with others.

We will respond to the needs of the community we are based in.

We seek to empower others to play a role in the transformation taking place.

We are pioneers and seek innovative solutions to the problems of the community.

We seek to follow Christ’s example to break down the walls of racism, sexism, and classism with human dignity and personal respect.

We strive to be students of and sensitive to cross cultural development.

Our Purpose [top]

We desire each child to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Our Objective is to address the following aspects of growth:

Heart (Emotions and Will) Providing a supportive environment in which youth will develop as morally wise and emotionally strong leaders.

Soul (Spiritual) Providing a spiritually nurturing environment in which youth will develop into disciples of Jesus Christ.

Strength (Physical) Providing opportunities for healthy physical growth and development of future leaders

Mind (Intellectual, Educational, Occupational) Providing an intellectually stimulating environment in which youth will achieve appropriate academic and occupational potential

Neighbor (Social, Community) Developing young leaders who are concerned for and involved in serving their community.

The Problems In The Inner-city [top]

Problem 1 – At Risk Youth

Research done at an urban primary care clinic in New Haven, CT including 88% African- American young ladies from 12 to 20 revealed the following traumatic events:

85.5% experienced community violence 55.5% witnessed shootings 36% used weapons 30% experienced sexual abuse outside the home 20% had spent time in jail

67.7 heard about friend or family homicide 38.9% witnessed stabbings 32% witnessed physical abuse at home 24% had been arrested 10% had been raped

The research revealed the high probability of full or partial post-traumatic stress disorder with accompanying problems of depression, substance abuse, failure in or suspension from school, and a pattern of arrests. The research article stated, “Urban, inner-city youths are exposed to “chronic and endemic” violence.” Probable outcomes are substance abuse, adolescent sexuality, involvement with youth gangs which increases the possibility of violence, and dropping out of school because of parenthood or repetitive suspensions.

Problem 2 – Poverty in Southeast Atlanta

On July 1, 2002 the US Census Bureau stated that the population of Georgia was 8,560,310 with numbers based upon March 1999 information stating that 1,087,118 in Georgia lived in poverty. The largest concentration of poverty is focused in South Fulton County with 128,363 living in poverty. The Atlanta Housing Authority states there are 31 low-income public housing developments inside Atlanta’s 285 perimeter.

“In October 2002 while returning in the evening from an outing on the AIM bus, with 35 kids, there was a sound like firecrackers to my suburban ear. The immediate response of the every kid was to drop to the floor of the bus. I was the only person left standing. That evening was my introduction to the normalcy of young children living at risk in the inner-city of Atlanta.” by Bo Davenport, Director of AIM.

Atlanta Inner-city Ministry
Plan of Action [top]

Since 1989 Atlanta Inner-city Ministry has established ourselves in the urban community of Atlanta. Our future Plan of Action is to more specifically address the urban problems within Atlanta’s community with the following ministries:

1. S.A.Y. Yes: Center of Youth Development

2. Life Skills Center

3. Food and Clothing Distribution Center

4. Pre-school Center

Atlanta Inner-city Ministry began as a ministry to children and youth. Therefore the first Action Point for future ministry will remain consistent to our beginnings, by focusing on “at risk” youth with the beginning of an After School Center. Our goal is to begin operation of an after school center during the school calendar of Fulton County School System starting in 2004-2005.

The Mission of the Center for Youth Development is to provide a safe atmosphere of acceptance for young people which supports the learning process, allows recreational activities, builds on individual strengths, encourages leadership in the community, and instills hope for the future. The Center for Youth Development will present urban parents safe and cost effective childcare with mentoring opportunities for school aged children. AIM has targeted the beginning of S.A.Y. (Save America’s Youth) Yes: Center of Youth Development with the 2004-2005 school year from 3:00 to 6:00. The goal is to begin January 2005 with a Monday/ Tuesday/ Wednesday program with 25 young people with expansion to a 5 day program by the end of the school year.

Volunteer Opportunities [top]

SAY Yes will need mentors at a ratio of 1 mentor per 5 children. The mentor will need to connect with the young people EACH day (meaning a daily commitment is required). SAY Yes will need volunteers each day per week (unless the volunteer is willing to volunteer more often) in the following areas:

Bus driver
Snack Volunteer
Recreation Leader
Bible Club Leader
Reading Tutor
Homework Tutor
Practical Living Leader
Computer Lab Leader
Crafts Leader

Financial Cost Involved with S.A.Y. Yes: Center for Youth Development [top]

Atlanta Inner-city Ministry will provide the facility at no cost to S.A.Y. Yes. The facility allows 4 classrooms, a kitchen/ snack area, a large meeting room, with space marked for outdoor activities. The actual cost includes a full-time salary for the Director; and 3 part-time salaries for staff who will help provide the needed mentoring for 15 students. Thusfar AIM has raised $10,000.00 of the $38,000.00 necessary to begin S.A.Y. Yes.

Life Skills Center [top]

The Mission of the Life Skills Center is to provide adults lifelong learning, to build on individual strengths and team work, equip adults for entry into the enterprise of work, to teach a successful plan of action, and instill hope for the future. The Life Skills Center is a comprehensive program for adults to equipping individuals for personal independence, family and community leadership opportunities, fundamental life skills, and, a life plan including a financial plan of action toward productive employment. Life Skills is designed for unemployed and underemployed adults desiring to succeed in life. Life Skills will offer 2 classes each year which last for 12 weeks. Life Skills includes the following each week: educational enrichment (GED, basic computer training, etc); Life Plan Development; Group Counseling; Individual Counseling; Recovery / Support Groups; and Spiritual Development. Additionally, Life Skills will direct participants through a 10 week Job Internship with food allowance and an after-care program for participants with assistance in job placement.

Life Skills Overview [top]

Life Skills Center begins July 11, 2005 and ends September 30, 2005. Life Skills Job Internship begins October 10, 2005 and ends December 23,2005.

Food and Clothing Distribution Center [top]

The Mission of the Food and Clothing Distribution Center is to assist those who find themselves unable to provide their immediate basic needs of life with dignity and respect. When possible the Mission will include educating the individual about recovery or support groups that are available and attempting to instill hope in the midst of a transitional period of life, and encouraging reconnection to family or other community networks. The Food and Clothing Distribution Center will be an expansion of the existing program to provide for the immediate needs for the homeless, unemployed, and under-employed with food and clothing and other home and basic needs. A potential facility is available on Lakewood Avenue which is adjacent to the AIM facility on 1966 Lakewood Terrace which would serve this need.

Presently, AIM is open for food distribution and other basic life needs every Wednesday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Our only requirements for services are a valid ID and their own transportation to and from the facility (the AIM facility is on Marta’s bus route).

A goal is to increase the days of operation to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Tuesday and Thursday used for cleaning and re-stocking the facility.

A goal is to increase volunteerism to 3 to 4 volunteers each day of operation.

A goal is to acquire a truck to allow “pick ups” from churches, schools, corporations, and community businesses.

A goal is to acquire a better facility for operation because the space allowed in the present AIM facility is very limited.

A goal is to hire an individual to operate the Food and Clothing Distribution Center.

AIM does seek individuals, churches, corporations, and community organizations for support volunteerism as well as making financial contribution or providing “gifts in kind”, which will be used toward purchasing food, clothing, and paying operation expenses. The Food and Clothing Distribution Center will enable the community to be aware of hunger related issues as well as feeding people at risk of hunger. Our philosophy is to provide quality and caring service with a consistent and equitable distribution our given resources to each person walking through our door. It is our belief that service offered in the manner will increase the self-worth and dignity of the each person. Our motivation, as a faith-based organization, are the words of Jesus Christ who told His followers “Depart from me … for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink … I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Capital Campaign $175,000 [top]

The plan in 2005 is to acquire the adjoining property on Lakewood Avenue which is in front of the present facility on 1966 Lakewood Terrace SE.

The purchase is needed for several reasons:

1. The purchase would provide space to expand the Food and Clothing Distribution Center to full-time operation with the existing “store front” space in the building.

2. The purchase would provide large meeting room with small kitchen and bathroom to accommodate the operation of the Life Skills Center.

3. The purchase would provide two small “one room” apartments which would be used for transitional housing. Additionally, the apartments would allow shower facilities for the many visiting campaign groups and service teams who presently must make other arrangements.

4. The purchase would provide direct access to Lakewood Avenue because Lakewood Terrace is a one way street which makes direct access difficult

5. The purchase would provide several additional parking spaces directly across from the present facility.

6. The purchase would provide future direct access for facility expansion on the unused portion of land, which is just over 1 acre in size, on Lakewood Terrace.

The cost of the property is $125.000 with $50,000 needed for repairs and improvements on the property to be able to operate the Food and Clothing Distribution Center, Life Skills Center, and short-term housing for over-night service teams.