Inspiring Conversations with Tracy Woodard of Mad Housers Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Woodard.

Hi Tracy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started out as a street outreach volunteer in 1999, assisting with AHRC (now Georgia Harm Reduction) with their needle exchange program and then shelter construction for Mad Housers in the forested encampments. I am now a program manager for housing navigation at Intown Cares, a fruitful partnership between the city, medical services, and housing providers to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Covid forced us to pause in-person shelter builds, however several groups were able to build their own shelter panels using our free blueprints, which we would transport and assemble in the field.

As you know, we’re big fans of Mad Housers Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Mad Housers is an Atlanta-based non-profit corporation engaged in charitable work, research and education. Temporary shelter is a critical stepping stone for unhoused adults, stabilizing their position so they can be better connected to case management, medical services, and eventually permanent housing solutions.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love working with schools, so if you’re an educator or have some curious classmates, please feel free to bend our ear. You are never too young to serve the community.

Lumber donations are extremely welcome, you can reach out to us via email or donate here: https://www.madhousers.net/donate

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.madhousers.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madhousersatlanta/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mad.housers.atl/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/d2mQWlxIcG4

Image Credits
Photos by Tracy Woodard