October 15, 2015

Georgia Works! Changes Habits to Improve Lives The goal of Georgia Works! is to graduate self-sufficient men Not a hand out A program that offers men an opportunity to work, get paid, and change their habits and their mind-set from dependency to self- sufficiency

Homelessness in an Issue in Atlanta Tonight in Atlanta, there will be approximately 6,000 people who have nowhere to call home. About 4500 of these people are “episodically homeless” - essentially poor people who have had an episode in their lives About 1500 people are chronically homeless. - 30% of these folks are severely mentally ill - 70% or about 1000, have bad habits and huge obstacles

Georgia Works! Starts With A Commitment Clients are men who commit to; – remain drug free (drug tested 2x week) – work 30 to 35 hours a week – agree not to take hand outs of any kind – agree to save 20% of income – agree to pay for room and board

The Change Requires A Work Ethic and Discipline Work 30+ Hours at least minimum Wage Earn approximately $222 a week Pay $100 a week for room and board Forced Savings of $50 per week Cash in pocket of $72 per week Participants renounce all public assistance

When a Man Comes In Off the Street: - No Money - Historical Drug/Alcohol Problems - Arrested Dozens and Dozens of Time - No Identification - Past Due Child Support - Past Due Fines and Wage Garnishments - No Bank account and bad credit - Poor Formal Education - Lingering Health Issues - Etc..etc..etc..etc..etc... 6

That Commitment Is The Start To A Change Six to Twelve month multiphase program of life skills and work training to overcome barriers to self sufficiency. Services include: –Transitional jobs –Transitional housing –Case management –Relapse prevention –Adult education and computer skills –Life Skills training –Financial management –Career development

…And Is Already Fulfilling Its Potential 100 Men currently in program 85 Graduates - Men with jobs, apartments and are clean and paying taxes! Average starting wage $10.50/hour 30 men have had driving privileges restored 55% of men in the program (of the 100 men) are working in jobs that can lead to full-time employment 95% of men are in contact with their children and are current on child-support 80% Program Retention rate Thousands of Passed Drug and Alcohol Test (20 failed)

Georgia Works! Effectiveness Is Efficient Currently 55 men working for private businesses for 40 hours a week at $10 an hour Represents $22,000 a week in revenues to Georgia Works Represents $ 1.1 MM in annual revenues Pays for Over HALF the annual budget of Georgia Works It costs Georgia Works $9,000 to take a man from chronic homelessness to self sufficiency It costs the State of Georgia $18,000 to incarcerate a man for a year

Georgia Works! Requires Work to Work Where Work Works, (the motto of Georgia Works!) describes the effort we believe will change the culture of dependency and, poverty among the homeless in Atlanta. To make a greater impact on our community we need the capacity to serve more homeless men. To do so requires additional community contracts with more in-town communities, as well as more corporate partners to provide job opportunities

Benefits of Working With Georgia Works! When Employers Contract with Georgia Works! they get Men that are: 1. Eager and On Time 2. Drug and Alcohol Free 3. Trained to do the job 4. Transportation provided by Georgia Works! 5. Fully insured Labor by Georgia Works! for Workers Compensation and General Liability 6. Flexible hours and staffing levels to fit Employers Needs

Companies Working with Georgia Works!