Success Stories

People who are experiencing homelessness are also experiencing challenges that are a direct result from trauma and other serious life circumstances, including the loss of a job and a home, a chronic medical condition, a mental health problem, a substance use disorder, a criminal background, and more. These challenges have become barriers for men, women, and children as they strive to move forward with their lives.

Loaves and Fishes Ministry facilitates 3 programs and services to help clients become housing ready and transition to permanent housing including, the Streets-to-Home Initiative, the Interim Housing Program, and Housing Assessment through Loaves and Fishes Ministry.

Streets-to-Home Initiative

The Streets-to-Home Initiative provides the opportunity for men and women who are homeless and who have become housing ready to move into permanent, supportive housing. Offered in conjunction with St. Paul Apartments, Clisby Towers, The Dempsey Apartments, and Brookdale Warming Center.   We have provided up to 52 clients with subsidized housing as part of the program, participants continue to meet weekly with case managers and attend peer support community group meetings.

Interim Housing Program

The Interim Housing Program is offered in conjunction with The Brookdale Warming Center Shelter.  This program is offered to clients who are particularly motivated to transition from homelessness to housing. Through this program, clients are offered security and stability in their daily lives, part-time volunteer work so they may gain new marketable skills, weekly case management support, referrals to specialized services, peer support, and access to employment-related assistance. The Brookdale Warming Center residents in this program work on building their self-esteem and confidence so they may become ready to transition into permanent housing.

Housing Assessment

Loaves and Fishes Ministry plays an important role in Bibb County’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) which serves as a front door to connect people experiencing homelessness to housing in an accessible, equitable, and transparent manner. Loaves and Fishes Ministry case managers serve as Skilled Assessors for the CES. In this capacity, they assist clients in completing the Standardized Housing Assessment, which focuses on individuals’ eligibility for housing. This is the critical first step toward transitioning to permanent housing. Loaves and Fishes Ministry serves as the primary point of access for many homeless men, women, and children who need resources.

These four ladies of the LFM staff were a key part of a successful audit conducted by the USDA of the LFM food pantry. “They knocked it out of the park,” stated Sarah clay of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. We are very proud of them.

A true success story, Mr. Gregory Lightfoot applied for his birth certificate and ID. Once he received both documents, with the  encouragement from Janet Wright, coordinator of client services,  Mr. Lightfoot proceeded to seek employment and found a job. He is very proud of what he has accomplished, and so are we. He is truly a hero, and a great example for other clients to become heroes.