LeCesne has been a model client and has volunteered to help AOP with moving, cleaning and many other tasks. We recently assisted him and another AOP client with moving into a very nice home in Decatur GA. LeCesne and his roommate both have pets (a dog and a cat) and you can pass by and see them all sitting comfortably on their front porch enjoying their new home.

In June of 2009 Joseph was finally approved for his disability. Because of the hard work of his attorney he was able to collect back pay all the way back to his original application date. This is highly unusual and illustrates the validity of his claim. Soon after Joseph received his award letter AOP moved him to his own one bedroom apartment in SW Atlanta. Joseph’s case manager discussed the possibility of him purchasing his own home but Joseph said he was not ready to do that because he was not sure he could maintain the property.

After about ten months AOP came across a two bedroom house in Decatur GA that they believed would be perfect for Joseph. The property needed a lot of work because it had been vandalized like many other vacant homes in the area but it had much potential. After taking a realtor and Joseph to see the property, in April of 2010 the home was purchased and the renovation began. The home was given a new roof, new windows and doors. The kitchen and bathroom were upgraded with fresh fixtures. The whole house was completely painted and new carpet was installed. Joseph moved into his new home on May 15, 2010 and he could not be happier. The property and the renovation are completely paid for and Joseph’s only expenses are the utilities, property taxes and lawn maintenance. His overall expenses are less than his small one bedroom apartment and now he has an extra room for his art studio which he is very proud of. Joseph is able and willing to share his story about his journey from homelessness to homeownership at any time.

William Gazaway first became homeless when he was released from prison in 2007. During the two years that followed, he went back to jail for 90 days for not reporting to his probation officer. While in jail, William’s benefits were cut off, leaving him without an income source once he had served his time.

William also suffered from emphysema, blood clots, and nerve damage. Without benefits or a primary care doctor, William resorted to using Grady Memorial Hospital’s emergency room for treatment for his chronic health conditions. In 2009, a social worker at Grady referred William to the Atlanta Outreach Project, where he entered transitional housing. The agency took immediate action to find out how to reactivate his social security benefits, and obtained the necessary paperwork to verify that he had been released from jail and no longer had any outstanding warrants.

Within a few months, William was receiving both his SSI and retirement benefits. He also was connected with primary care and began seeing a doctor regularly. Especially now when a recent checkup revealed a tumor in William’s lungs, he can now quickly be referred to an oncologist and get the treatment he needs.

Join us for the performance of “Life Without Walls” – An original play written and performed by the creative ensemble of the previously homeless clients of Atlanta Outreach Project.