The Ark’s Journey: Helping 172 Families January-July 2013

The Ark: United Ministry Outreach Center provides direct financial assistance for basic needs such as rent, utilities, prescription medicine and referrals to the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank for our neighbors—individuals and families—who verify a sudden specific loss of income or necessary expense. The Ark promotes self-sufficiency.

The Ark Helped 172 Neighbors

•       47 Utilities Disconnections prevented

•       19 Evictions prevented

•       10 Tooth Extractions funded

•       10 Gasoline Cards provided to cancer patients to get to their treatments

•       1 Wheelchair provided to homeless man leaving Athens Regional Medical Center

•       1 Car Impound prevented for a low income family

•       7 Bus Tickets for out of town placement through Advantage Behavioral Health

•       35 Bus Passes provided to homeless Athens Technical College students

•       2 Bikes provided through Bike Athens to homeless persons to get to school

•       2 Fans given to elderly families

The Ark Received $17,500 in Grant Support

•       Walton EMC, $5000 to the NOAH Program – Elderly Assistance Program to include all counties served by Walton EMC

•       Jackson EMC, $5000  to the Shortened Work Hour Program

•       The Newland Family Foundation, $2500 for the Eviction Prevention Program, $5000 to the Jubilee Fund’s Short-Term Loan Program

The Ark Partnered with Other Area Programs

•       Financial Literacy Program Partners: Action Ministries, Athens Area Homeless Shelter

•       Charity Tracker: 20 agencies and congregations in in the Athens Area Compassion Cooperative

•       Homeless and Poverty Coalition

 For more information about The Ark, its programs, assistance provided and ways to become involved as a volunteer or supporter, go to our website, www.athensark.org.