News and Announcements
News of Note
MARTA Donates Clothing Items to Threshold Ministry
A representative from Marta contacted Threshold Ministry several weeks ago to see if Threshold would like to receive a donation of winter hats scarves and gloves from Marta. We were expecting a couple of boxes delivered by a van. Six Marta employees arrived in a Marta bus, however, with three huge Santa sized red bags and four large plastic bins of not only hats and gloves but also toys socks and other items that were donated by Marta employees. These clothing items will go a long way in spreading holiday cheer this year as well as keeping many people warm during the cold winter nights.
DeKalb Integrated Community Care Initiative
The DeKalb Integrated Community Care Initiative (ICCI), sponsored by the U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, specifically provides funding to assist households facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICCI Program aims to provide financial assistance for rent, rental arrears, utilities, and other housing related expenses to prevent evictions and promote housing stability. This program also includes provisions for homelessness assistance.
(Program expires on June 30, 2025)
Ten-year Anniversary
This ministry, established by then Associate Minister Ken Hughes, has had 4 directors, and has grown from seeing 208 guests its first year to more than 1000 visits a year in 2023. This year marks the 10th year of Threshold’s Ministry. To mark this milestone, Leslie Raymer and volunteers threw a celebration cookout for guests of Threshold, members of DPC, and community supporters. We look forward to the twentieth-year anniversary celebration in the future.
Fall Fund-raising Dinner
Plans are underway by the Steering Committee for a fall fundraising dinner. Several themes for use with this dinner are being considered and the money raised from this dinner will focus on 1) homelessness prevention and 2) assistance in securing stable housing. No decision has been been yet on the date of this dinner or its location. Stay tuned for more details.
ARP Grant from DeKalb County
Threshold Ministry was awarded a grant from DeKalb County as part of funds available from the American Recovery Program (ARP). Threshold Ministry is using these funds to assist households which include someone with a disability. A subcommittee of the Threshold Ministry Steering Committee reviews each application, and to date has awarded almost all of $100,000 awarded to assist with rent, utilities, and making access to facilities possible for people with disabilities.
June Lunch
New Affordable Housing Initiative in DeKalb County
DeKalb County is looking to invest $21 million in a new initiative aimed at affordable housing.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the measure during its meeting on Aug. 13.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a housing affordability crisis in our county,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “This multimillion-dollar investment will prevent and protect families from evictions from their rental homes and apartments.”
The plan, known as the DeKalb County Community Care Initiative, allocates $13 million to 11 nonprofit organizations. These funds will be used to provide rental and utility assistance, employment and training opportunities, mental health services, educational support, food, childcare, and legal services.
It is a collaborative effort between DeKalb County Community Development’s Coordinated Entry system and several experienced nonprofit organizations. It is also linked to the HUD-approved HOME-ARP program, administered by DeKalb County Community Development, which brings an additional $7.8 million in funding to the table.