Services

CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

A critical component of the North Georgia Works! program is intensive case management services. The case management services assist trainees in obtaining driver’s licenses, attend substance abuse classes, pay past due fines, establish email accounts, bank accounts, address past due child support, and reconcile with families and children. Case managers facilitate job placement and assist clients in securing permanent housing. Most importantly, the North Georgia Works! case managers serve as advocates and mentors for the participants, providing them with the one-on-one coaching, guidance and the support they need to be successful during the time in the program and beyond.

TRANSITIONAL WORK

The hallmark of North Georgia Works! programmatic offerings is full-time, transitional employment. After a trial period, men are assigned to the “Blue Crew.” Dressed in North Georgia Works! uniforms, the men clean and care for the streets and sidewalks in and around downtown Gainesville.

After 30 days, as a member of the "Blue Crew", participants are eligible for a contract job opportunity with one of North Georgia Works! corporate partners. Job opportunities range from maintenance work, food service work, warehouse work, and skilled trades, etc. depending upon the resident’s skill set and interests. Many of the jobs are temporary to hire positions with the companies that are interested in giving our residents another chance to be productive citizens.

HOUSING

North Georgia Works! is a residential program that provides housing while men are in the program. Transitional housing and three meals per day are provided for all participants. The North Georgia Works! facility is a supportive environment where men find the comprehensive tools they need to work toward self-sufficiency.

SUPPORT SERVICES

The North Georgia Works! organization is working with a rich network of collaborative partners, which enables our staff to connect participants to a myriad of support services. Critical areas of need include:

• ADDICTION RECOVERY AND HEALTH CARE

  North Georgia Works! participants are required to be drug and alcohol-free, without exception, upon entry and for the duration of the program. Participants are randomly drug and alcohol tested at least twice per week. The organization offers relapse prevention workshops, as well as Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) support groups on site. The organization works with AVITA Community Partners and other substance abuse and mental health programs to provide interventions for the North Georgia Works! enrollees who are struggling with dependency and mental health challenges. Primary health care services are offered to North Georgia Works! participants by Good News Clinic.

• EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

  The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) will be administered to all North Georgia Works! trainees during their first month of admission into the program, followed by onsite classes and tutoring.

• VOCATIONAL TRAINING

  Workforce development training is offered to all North Georgia Works! trainees by developing collaborations with organizations like WorkSource Georgia Mountains, Goodwill Industries and others.

• LEGAL ASSISTANCE

  Upon entry into the program, many North Georgia Works! enrollees have outstanding legal issues or disputes that must be addressed. As such, the organization partners with the Georgia Legal Services Program and the City of Gainesville Public Defenders Office to ensure that North Georgia Works! trainees have access to attorneys and client advocates who can provide assistance to those men in need of legal services.

• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING

  Through partnerships with local banks, North Georgia Works! trainees have access to financial management classes, ensuring they have the skills needed to responsibly handle their fiscal resources once they have graduated from the program. Additional life skill training, including conflict resolution, anger management, and parenting techniques, are offered to participants by licensed counselors and North Georgia Works! staff members.

• SPIRITUAL FORMATION

  “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) We believe that recovery from homelessness and recidivism is an inside job. We plan to utilize a curriculum entitled: Celebrate Recovery Inside; A Christ-Centered Recovery Program Based on the Beatitudes. Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that can help men to overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Also, we are utilizing "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.