A safe haven for those in need...

In 1987, to address the rapid increase of homelessness amongst the population of women and their families, the YWCA of Greater Atlanta took charge and opened the first emergency shelter for women and children in the gym of the historic Phyllis Wheatley (PW) YWCA located at 599 Mitchell Street near the Atlanta University Center.

At the time, Central Presbyterian Church had the largest shelter for homeless men in the city; however, more women and children begin to seek refuge at the church – space was limited and the church had no experience mixing the two populations. Central’s pastor, Reverend Johanna Adams, and the YWCA Board Chair realized that in order to accommodate these families, a new site was needed. A lifetime advocate for “the least of these”, Reverend Adams expressed her concern to Deborah Richardson (the Program Director at PW). They agreed immediate action had to be taken. With no funding but a focused and determined spirit, and a desire to renew hope among homeless women, these two change agents stepped to the plate and opened the shelter in three days.

As a critical partner in the community, the YWCA’s reputation of delivering quality impactful services; and their track record of meeting community needs as well as the PW facility location with a large gym, was the only option and solution to this ever growing issue. The community rallied behind the YWCA with unwavering support - Reverend Adams reached out to churches in the area (Cascade United Methodist, Central Presbyterian and Antioch North), who enthusiastically opened their doors and arms. They bought everything from clothing to nightly meals and most importantly, a spirit of unity. Deborah Richardson remembers vividly the Pastor of Antioch Baptist, Cameron Alexander, personally donating money for this project. The Concerned Black Clergy and other community and civic groups such as The Links and Jack and Jill supported the cause and provided a chance for many individuals groups to come together to make a difference.

The plan was to accommodate 50 people but some nights they accommodated as many as 70-80. They slept on cots donated by the Commander at Ft. Gillium, and the bathrooms were renovated to showers. The shelter operated at Phyllis Wheatley four years without a budget.

The shelter had to be vacated at 6:30 a.m. every morning to prepare for PW day program. Police Commissioner George Napa and the police agreed to escort the women/children to day shelters and schools. He witnessed firsthand the ongoing transportation challenges of moving the women out every morning. Commissioner Napa also mentored the children by coming in the evening to shoot basketball.

While this program met the immediate need of getting women off the streets by providing a safe warm environment with a cot and hot meals; it could not adequately address the root cause of the problem and did not break the vicious cycle of homelessness - childcare, job training, employment issues, etc., had to be addressed in order to ensure that this perpetual cycle ended.

One evening Commissioner Napa invited Deborah and staff to ride with him – he took them to an old Atlanta firehouse in the Cascade/West End area and handed them a key to this 4,400 square foot building which became the new home for the YWCA homeless shelter, Cascade House.

Councilman C.T. Martin worked with the YWCA to secure a community development block grant (CDBG) to renovate the building; however, the former firehouse was erected in the early 1900’s and the renovations on the first floor, with the exception of the kitchen area, are ADA compliant - the second floor of the facility is not ADA compliant. The faith based community volunteered and provided furnishings, meals and moral support. Funding from foundations [like Waterfall] came later. Child psychologist, Nancy Boxill, was assigned to create a comprehensive housing program that would be more conducive to success.

The community support for this shelter was overwhelming and spoke to the YWCA’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.

Today, the YWCA Women in Transition (WIT) program continues to provide the services and life skills needed to empower families to self-sufficiency at Cascade House. This two year program - 18 months of housing and six months of aftercare - allows families with boys up to the age of 17…the YWCA believes families remaining together, even in challenges times, is the best scenario to overcoming homelessness. The residents are required to work, actively seek employment or be enrolled in some type of educational/training program.

Cascade House’s family-like environment continues to be a safe haven where families can become stable through case management, economic opportunities, sustainable employment, and children’s programming while regaining their freedom and dignity.