Community Voices

Community stories guide our work.

ARCHI, in partnership with Global Dialogues, Partners for Home, Partnership for Southern Equity, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, collected stories of residents’ experiences in Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties. A common thread among the storytellers was a past or present experience of homelessness.

By listening to these experiences, ARCHI and its partners hoped to gain a deeper understanding of the context of homelessness in metro Atlanta and elevate the valued expertise of those with lived experience. Storytellers were asked to look back on their personal experiences and look ahead to their hopes and dreams. Storytellers were also asked to identify assets, challenges, and possible solutions to support them and those in their communities to live healthy, safe, stable, and happy lives.

ARCHI would like to thank Ujima Way, Gateway, Intown Cares, and COR for connecting us to storytellers and the storytellers for trusting us to elevate their voices.

Tamara

“A quit woman who stays to herself.
A person you can get along with.
A person who woud help anyone she can.”

Justin

"Father, friend, son, brother, genuine, grateful"

Lebron

“Today I am a happy man
Just for today I stay focused
Just for today I don’t used drugs
Just for today I help people
Today I know who Lebron is
Today I am blessed in many ways”

Dee

“A southerner with ties to Georgia going back 150 years.

A product of good public schools and a great education.

A calligrapher and artist.
A pianist and songwriter, as well as a vocalist.
A good mom”

James

“Good friend/easygoing, help someone/have a good understanding with a few”