Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Johns.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My career began as a minister with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) denomination. After seminary finishing seminary in 1999, I came to Atlanta initially to serve in a ministry training program called Master’s Commission. Before long, I became involved in an after school program located in an apartment community in south Atlanta called Richmond Oaks. This 180-unit complex was home to individuals from 5 continents and 24 different countries, many being refugees fleeing wars and economic oppression. Within a few months, I moved into the community with my family and 9 Master’s Commission students to begin doing community development and advocacy. For the next 3 years, we assisted hundreds of immigrants and refugees in improving living conditions, gaining legal residence and providing for their families. In 2003, the apartment complex was sold and residents were forced to find other housing. At that time, my family and I were invited to become part of another Atlanta non-profit called City of Refuge. I started my tenure at City of Refuge in a pastoral role but before long became more involved in community outreach and development. Shorty after we arrived, City of Refuge was given a 200,000-square foot warehouse on Atlanta’s westside. For the next 13 years, I had the joy of working with the CEO, Bruce Deel and an incredible team of men and women as we built out the warehouse space with a goal of providing a “one stop shop” of services for those in crisis. The centerpiece of our development became housing and supportive services for women and children, including specialty programs for victims of sex trafficking and pregnant teens. In addition, a focus on vocational training led to the development of several skills programs, including automotive and culinary. In the summer of 2016, I had the honor of being recruited as the Executive Director of Crossroads, a position that I remain in today. Crossroads provides support services for those experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, including assistance with documentation, access to a mailing address, a daily meal, transportation assistance, case management and employment services.
Has it been a smooth road?
It certainly has not always been a smooth road. There are often more momentary failures than successes in walking with individuals out of the injustice of homelessness. However, every effort is worthwhile as it brings individuals a step closer to reestablishing a stable and secure life. One of the most persistent ongoing challenges is the insufficiency of access to adequate resources to meet the need. There is always a need for more housing, more jobs, more programs and – especially – more funding.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Crossroads Community Ministries story. Tell us more about the business.
From a program standpoint, Crossroads is most know for our daily meal, served in Clyde’s Kitchen and for our documentation services – which we provide on-site 5 days per week, as well as satellite sites around Atlanta. Clyde’s Kitchen serves an average of more than 200 individuals each day and more than 3500 individuals per year access our documentation services. A vital piece of our documentation service is allowing clients to use our address and receive their mail at our facility. Just the past year, we were able to expand our programming by adding and employment service – Crossroads Connect. In 2017, we assisted more than 150 individuals in obtaining a job.
What we are most proud of as an organization is the reputation we have among those experiencing homelessness of having one of the most caring and accessible staffs of any homeless service provider in Atlanta.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The major trend in programming and funding is toward a housing first model of responding to homelessness. Under this model, those experiencing homelessness are immediately placed into long-term or permanent supportive housing. The idea is that stable individual housing (rather than mass shelter or transitional housing) is the foundational element to all other improvement opportunities. Once stabilized in their own housing, individuals should have greater capacity to improve their health, access transportation, navigate social services and identify employment or training opportunities.
Pricing:
- A donation of $25 provides an individual with a birth certificate
- A donation of $125 provides employment assistance for one individual
- A donation of $500 provides a daily meal for 250 individuals
Contact Info:
- Address: 420 Courtland St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308 - Website: crossroadsatlanta.org
- Phone: 404.873.7650
- Email: info@crossroadsatlanta.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/CrossroadsAtlanta
Image Credit:
Rev. Tony Johns, Clyde Corbin and volunteers from the Atlanta Falcons, Dominic Heard, Paul Ballew, Ty Rutledge
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
