“When we began thinking about our community as a single system, we reset the relationships between and among providers, clients, landlords, and government. We became partners rather than competitors, and we focused on people rather than facilities and programs,”saidRabbiBeth Schwartz, Chair of Home for Good’s Board.“Our data isbetter,and our funding goes farther. We empowered ourselves to be more proactive as well as more effective. The change in culture took a little while, but Iclearly rememberthe moment in aContinuum of Care (CoC)annual meeting when an advocate stood up, looked around the room,and said, "We." "We" is the key to our success.” She added. 

The visit started with a meet and greet with Mayor Henderson and lunch. Then they traveled to Safe House Ministries, Salvation Army, and back tothe Home for Good office for discussions with the Housing Authority of Columbus and Phenix City Housing Authority.

“The City of Augusta’s Homeless TaskForce is looking for ways to streamline and strengthen our homeless response system,”said LyndaBarrs, Resource Development Coordinator for the Augusta Homeless Task Force. She added, “We areespecially interestedin learningmore about the Columbus Home for Good Program because itis agreat example of how strong community partnerships can make a difference to those with the greatest barriers to housing stability. We look forward to hearing more about programsand services offered by your community to some of its most vulnerable citizens.”

Home for Good hopes more cities will start conversations on how they can best offer services to those experiencing homelessness.