Shelter kitchen opens in Atlanta

The beds are warm in the homeless shelter at Peachtree and Pine Streets, but dinner often is another matter.

The midtown Atlanta shelter -- among the state's largest -- has lacked a kitchen or even a microwave oven to cook meals. Instead, it depends on local churches to prepare, store and transport enough food to feed the nearly 1,000 people it serves daily.

The shelter on Friday dedicated "Feast," a kitchen and dining room that will enable shelter volunteers to prepare food on site and serve it in a family style environment.

The kitchen also will serve as a training ground for homeless volunteers looking for a new vocation.

Food will come from local food banks. Anita Beaty, executive director of the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, which runs the shelter, said a rooftop garden eventually will provide
fresh herbs for hearty meals.

Click here for more GPB News coverage about the homeless.

(AP)

Budget cuts take toll on Ga. crisis centers

Phones are ringing off the hook at Georgia's violence crisis centers as the tough economy translates into more reports of abuse in cash-strapped homes.

But even as domestic violence and rape crisis centers struggle to serve a rising number of victims, they have been hit with crippling state budget cuts that have forced them to slash programs and staff.

As part of Gov. Sonny Perdue's mandate for 6 percent budget cuts for most state agencies, the Department of Human Resources wiped out budget increases that would have gone to centers that help victims of rape and domestic violence.

It has sparked a concern for victims advocates who worry that violence crisis centers with already tight budgets are shouldering a disproportionate share of the budget burden.

"More victims are calling because we are getting the word out that these services are available," said attorney Shelley Senterfitt, a lobbyist for the centers. "But now what if someone calls and no one answers the phone? It sets up a false expectations for victims."

Commissioner B.J. Walker declined several requests for an interview, but spokeswoman Taka Wiley said the department had little choice.

"A lot of agencies are just tightening their belts and this is just something that we have to do," she said.

The cuts come at a time when the services are most needed, said violence crisis center leaders.

"Since the economy has been down, our shelters are almost always full now, and we have noticed a remarkable rise in the amount of calls coming in," said Beck Dunn, executive director of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Dunn said the domestic violence center cuts, which amount to $815,000, is forcing centers to lay off staff, cancel benefit plans and cut prevention programs.

"The unfortunate part is that I have seen several shelters remove full time staff to part time because they can't give them benefits anymore," Dunn said. "Centers have to worry about providing food and clothing."

The Liberty House in Albany once sent three staff members each week to 17 counties in southwest Georgia to help women get protection orders. But now it can only afford to travel when a victim calls.

"We are losing access to people," said executive director Silke Deeley. "And victims are losing access to services and educational information."

She has scaled back on fresh produce, turned to powder milk and eliminated outreach programs. In January, Deeley said she will likely have to fire at least two staffers. Already, she said, the 21-bed center has a waiting list of four families.

"If they can't come in the shelter, what other options do they have?" Deeley said.

Shawn Paul, president of the Georgia Network to End Sexual Violence, said sexual assault centers were expecting $635,000 from the state this year. Instead they have had trouble finding the staff to operate 24-hour help hot lines and can no longer travel to victims, Paul said.

"I am very concerned about whether we can even keep all 25 rape crisis centers open," he said. "It is criminal how we expect our nonprofits to survive and provide like this."

There are 46 domestic violence shelters in Georgia which cover all 159 counties. The state does not have comprehensive coverage for rape crisis -- 25 centers for 129 counties.

State Sen. Nan Orrock said she and other female legislators will push for more funding for the centers when the legislative session convenes in January.

"There will be women who die or suffer critical injuries because the state of Georgia is failing to invest in programs proven to help," said Orrock, an Atlanta Democrat.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the economic crisis.

Second Red Cross Shelter Opened for Victims of Hurricane Gustav

A second Red Cross shelter was opened at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lilburn on Tuesday for victims of Hurricane Gustav, after a shelter in Lawrenceville had reached capacity. A spokesman for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said, about 800 people who evacuated from Gustav are staying in shelters across the state of Georgia.

Georgia gets $4M for food and shelter

Georgia is getting more than 4-million dollars from the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The money supplements funding shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. The money is handed out to tens of counties. Funds can also go toward monthly grants for people with non-disaster, temporary emergency needs.