The Okefenokee Alliance for the Homeless (OATH) is a non-profit orgnization that was created to fill the service gap that exists for those homeless in Ware, Pierce and Brantley Counties.
The OATH navigator works with the homeless or those precariously housed to focus on increasing their housing stability and self-sufficiency. OATH served more than 700 people in the past year.
OATH is currently holding a fundraiser — “Hearts for the Homeless” — through February.
“We just launched the campaign,” said Executive Director Allie Dixon. “We’re raising funds to expand our facility and space for emergency shelter. We have all of our information on our Facebook page.”
OATH services include assessment, development, of an individualized housing stability plan, acting as a liasion to secure and maintain housing, promotion of employment and training opportunities, a connection to community resources, and advocating on behalf of the client.
“Our goal is to improve the quality of life for every person who steps through our doors,” Dixon said. “We’ve served men, women, young families with children, senior citizens, and everything in between. There’s no one single cause that leads to homelessness, however almost every case is rooted in mental health, addiction, or trauma.
“We’ve had so many success strories over the past three years. We’ve helped families keep their homes, find new homes, and assisted people getting off the streets. Our job isn’t easy by any means, but it’s so rewarding to see our clients succeed.
“We work one on one with clients to link them to resources and provide a hand-up instead of a hand-out ... things like job search assistance, finding more affordable housing options, budgeting, and financial counseling. It’s also important to reduce the stigma and judgment that surrounds the homeless community.”
OATH also operates a day center on Brunel Street in Waycross which provides respite for unsheltered clients and offers a warm, inviting space for clients coming in for appointments. Lunch is served daily and storage space for personal belongings is available as well as a place to receive mail.
The office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“At one time we’d have one or two clients come in a day and that quickly grew,” Dixon said. “We saw a need and we found this house, which is owned by Destination Church and we were able to move in January 2022. It’s been such a blessing to us ... it’s a perfect place for us. We’ve quickly outgrown this place, so we’are looking for something a little larger.”
Dixon said the daily lunches have become a community effort.
“We have a meal train calendar we send out to the community,” she said. “Churches, families and organizations sign up to bring a meal every day. Some people like to serve, so they’ll come in and serve the food themselves, while some like to just order pizza and have it dropped off. Whatever works for you, works for us.”
There also is a laundry area in the house for washing and drying clothes.
“There are a lot of people who still don’t know we exist,” Dixon stated. “We’ve been in operation for three years now. We need to get the word out that we are here to help.
“We’d love to go to your church and talk to your congregation about what we do because our big thing is that we try to be the hands and feet of Jesus, so we would love to spread the word.”
OATH was founded in 2019 out of the Ware Children’s Initiative when school social workers began to express concern for the growing number of students in the school system who were considered homeless. The founding Board of Directors was comprised of leaders from mental health, business, education, and also included others who’ve been previously homeless.
During the 2019-2020 school year, more than 300 students in the Ware County School System were considered homeless, most of them were “couch surfing” or moving from house to house and staying with friends or other relatives.
The organization says the most effective way to help prevent homelessness in this area is to support organizations like OATH that work with families when they’re facing homelessness.
A few former clients said the program is a place of love, and the staff is very nice and helpful. They say they’re grateful for everything they’ve received.
Volunteer Diana Daniels says everyone is loved around the house, and when an individual comes in they have someone to talk to.
“It’s a friendly atmosphere,” Daniels said. “That is something a lot of them do not have ... the friendliness, they are actually liked, loved, and wanted. Knowing that I can contribute to that and show them that this is a place of love is the whole thing in a nutshell.”
OATH operates solely from community giving and small grants, the services that are provided are financially driven, such as purchasing IDs, birth certificates, transportation to shelters, hotel stays, housing deposits, etc., therefore the greatest need at the time is financial support.
“No amount is too big or too small,” Dixon said about donations. “Information about ways to give can be found on our website at www.oathnsega.org.
“If you donate to our campaign ($100 or more) your name will go on a plaque that will stay in our day center forever. It gives you a sponsorship opportunity and a way to give back.”
The available levels of sponsorship are $100, $1,000 and $10,000. The program accepts checks to Okefenokee Alliance for the Homeless to P.O. Box 2088 Waycross, 31501; Venmo: @OATHinSEGA; online: www.oathnsega.org; or see an OATH board member to donate.
Special Photo
OATH Navigator, Niki Spivey, prepares a plate at OATH, which serves lunch daily to clients.
