First Light Vision, Inc. Collaboration Request

[Erika Wilson]

First Light Vision, Inc.
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

The program intends to target two populations of persons facing housing instability: 1) individuals and families who are currently in housing but are at risk of becoming homeless and need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless or assistance to move to another unit (prevention), 2) individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street) and need temporary assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it (rapid re-housing).


Dear Executive Director,

Homelessness is an epidemic crisis here in the Atlanta community with a population of approximately 5,376,285 residents and one third are insolvent. Not surprisingly, homeless and at-risk individuals, and families is a major concern for our community. I am writing to express our support and interest in the Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-housing (HPRP) Program: providing assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless and provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless as defined by Federal law and HUD guidelines. We are located in Fulton County, GA district 5.
Unlike other programs, the concept of the HPRP project is extremely innovative and involves getting the community involved not just in attending workshops but in assisting them to make healthier choices in real life situations. The collaboration of organization such as the local bank, law firms, health clinics, schools, realtors and other resources provides a ‘hands-on’ approach that encourages the community to be responsible for their financials and the well being of their children. The evaluation component collects the information needed to demonstrate to the service providers, participants and others that all their hard work is paying off.
First Light Vision, Inc. would like to extend an invitation to collaborate with us in stabilizing the destitute person(s) in Georgia. We can benefit our community.
Sincerely,

Cynthia Ellison,
Executive Director


Mission
The mission of First Light Vision, Inc. is to enhance the quality of life in order to achieve self-sufficiency for a new beginning. The Resource Center for a New Beginning programs’ goal is to aide women, minorities, and homeless/at-risk individual re-establish independence and security in knowing they can provide for themselves a way out of no way.

Organization’s Historical Summary
First Light Vision, Inc. is an organization created and founded by Cynthia Ellison during an insightful volunteering experience. During the past 9 years Mrs. Ellison has volunteered, participated on panels and joined committees in response to community enrichment. Mrs. Ellison, several volunteers, and community leaders all agreed there is a profound sense of need to help the people in the greater Atlanta metro area.
The purpose of the organization is to provide an exclusive, unique opportunity for women, minorities, and homeless/at-risk individuals to better grasp education, employment, leadership, and housing.
The goal of the Resource Center is to provide First Light Vision clients with:
• Basic necessities such as clothes, food, and Marta tokens.
• Financial assistance limited to short-medium term rental assistance, deposits for rental units, utilities, moving costs, and hotel/motel vouchers necessary to meet emergency needs for potentially eligible individuals and families.
• Key information that will enhance their abilities to work/complete GED effectively in Georgia.
• The opportunity to seek counseling, child care, transitional housing, and furniture referrals.
• A connection to top private and public healthcare clinics, recruiting agencies, law firms, banks, vocational and education services.
• An in-depth understanding of the formal and informal decision-making channels through life/leadership workshops.

A Resource Center for a new beginning officially opened to the public on January 5, 2009. The targeted population is the greater Atlanta, Fulton, Clayton, and Dekalb residents. With support and participation from partnering agency like you, First Light Vision, Inc. will continue to help the people.