I am the Director of Central Night Shelter, a shelter for homeless men in downtown Atlanta. Central Night Shelter opened on January 14, 1981. It was housed in the fourth floor gymnasium of Central Presbyterian Church but run by an ecumenical group of
volunteers concerned about the growing problem of homelessness in Atlanta. Originally serving men, women, and children, Central Night Shelter has evolved into a winter night shelter for approximately 90-100 men, located jointly in the gymnasium of Central Presbyterian Church (capacity of 65-70) and the Church Hall of The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (capacity of 25-30). The shelter is governed by an ecumenical group of volunteers.
In my other life, I teach elementary school PE. I have two grown children who both grew up working at the Shelter and who are both extraordinary. My husband is one of the founders of the Shelter and the person who introduced me to the Shelter. He served as Director until the year 2000 while I served as the Volunteer Coordinator.