Our Story
Who We Are
Who We Are Rising Above Homelessness INC is a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to combating homelessness through innovative, grassroots solutions. Founded on the belief that every individual deserves safety, stability, and economic dignity, we work tirelessly to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness in the Atlanta metropolitan area [local].
Our team provides direct street outreach, critical resources, and relentless public advocacy. We don't just talk about change—we take the raw realities of the streets directly to the Atlanta City Council to demand structural housing and resource solutions [civics].
Our Core Initiatives:
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Dignified Employment: Bridging the gap through "work today, paid today" community cleanup programs funded by local corporate sponsorships.
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Immediate Relief: Distributing mobile sanitation resources, hygiene survival packs, and emergency navigation services.
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Long-Term Infrastructure: Building toward a physical Atlanta Emergency Shelter and Resource Center featuring hot meals, showers, and peer-led mental wellness sessions.
Jocelyn Lewis
Founder & President, Rising Above Homelessness INC
(Federal 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status Actively Pending with the IRS)
Support Rising Above Homelessness
I am rising from my own journey through homelessness to speak, advocate, and lift others up. Your support helps amplify my voice on the streets and inside the courtroom to create real change for those who feel forgotten.
The Reality on Our Streets:
Right now in Atlanta, we have neighbors living on bare mattresses on the side of the highway, under underpasses, on the trains, at bus stops, and on our sidewalks. There are entire communities living in the woods right in front of our local grocery stores and corner stores. Among them are vulnerable women and young adults facing constant physical and sexual assault, alongside teenagers aging out of foster care who are left on the streets with no mentors, no guidance, and no support. It is dangerous, it is freezing, and it is unacceptable.
We are done just thinking—we are acting. We are bringing mobile sanitation units, free haircare, and immediate-pay community cleanup jobs directly to these areas. Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind.
🔗 Take Action with Us Today:
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Support Our Launch: https://gofund.me/d5b753ed
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Direct Community Action:
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CashApp: $riseabovehomes7
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Sign Our Official City Council Petition: https://www.change.org/JocelynsDivinePurposeInc
Make a Donation: Building a New Beginning
I am raising funds to build a new beginning, not just for myself but for everyone I met on the streets. This $100,000 goal will go directly towards:
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Acquiring & Renovating Property: Purchasing vacant and abandoned buildings across Atlanta to transform them into permanent hubs of hope, safety, and structural opportunity.
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Emergency Shelter & Resource Centers: Turning these properties into safe havens equipped with clean, emergency rooms, hot showers, and navigation services to move people safely into permanent housing.
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A Free Community Restaurant: Operating a dignity-first restaurant space within our buildings to serve hot, nutritious meals completely for free, providing rest and restoring hope for our neighbors.
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Identification & Vital Records: Helping unhoused individuals secure birth certificates and state IDs, which are critical for landing jobs, securing housing, and accessing healthcare.
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Sanitation & Hygiene Access: Financing mobile sanitation truck partnerships to provide immediate hygiene, safety, and basic human dignity on the streets.
This isn't just a campaign—it's a mission to arise, restore, and rebuild. With your help, Rising Above Homelessness INC will be a movement of healing, structural access, and real change.
Our Initiatives
Community Outreach
Our community outreach programs aim to provide essential support and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness, offering shelter services, basic needs assistance, and access to educational opportunities.
Employment Training
Through our employment training initiatives, we equip individuals with the necessary skills and training to secure meaningful employment, promoting financial independence and self-sufficiency.
Mental Health Support
Our mental health support projects focus on providing counseling, therapy, and mental wellness programs to help individuals overcome the challenges associated with homelessness.
Housing Advocacy
Advocating for safe and affordable housing options, our housing advocacy projects aim to address systemic issues and policies affecting those experiencing homelessness.
Family Assistance
Our family assistance programs offer support services tailored to the unique needs of families facing homelessness, ensuring access to resources that promote stability and well-being.
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