Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence Witnesses Outpouring of Support from Individuals, Churches, Civic Groups, Companies and Other Nonprofits During Coronavirus Pandemic
Duluth, Ga., June 4, 2020 – When Rainbow Village made the difficult decision to close its Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and Afterschool Youth Programs in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic in March, the nonprofit organization knew the impact would be felt keenly by its residents. With the purpose of providing the tools, programs and transitional housing needed to lead homeless families back to a place of self-sustainability, Rainbow Village understands that many of its residents rely on the ECDC and Afterschool Program for a safe and engaging place for their kids to go while the parent works, attends college or seeks employment. Following the lead of Gwinnett County Public Schools as it does during inclement weather and other emergency situations, Rainbow Village did not take lightly the effect the closure might have on the families it serves and launched the COVID-19 Family Relief Fund as a precautionary measure. Over the weeks that followed, the North Metro Atlanta community came out to show its overwhelming support for Rainbow Village families, donating food, supplies and an incredible $118,514 for the COVID-19 Family Relief Fund.
“We are completely blown away by the way the community came together in support of the families Rainbow Village serves,” said Melanie Conner, CEO for Rainbow Village. “Girl Scout Troops, churches, neighborhoods, companies and civic groups collected and delivered food and supplies for our families. I’m so proud of the way our staff stepped up and rolled with the changes during the last few months, as well as the way our Board of Directors showed their true investment in this campus and the people who call Rainbow Village home. Our residents watched out for one another as friends and neighbors, really putting the ‘village’ in Rainbow Village. And during it all, we moved in three new families. It’s been nothing short of incredible.”
Conner also pointed to the donation of computers and Wi-Fi adapters from X-Cel and CentricsIT, which connect to campus-wide Wi-Fi made possible from a grant from the Waffle House Foundation. Those gifts allowed Rainbow Village students to take part in online schooling and adults to work remotely. Fully Furnished Ministries donated furniture for the three new incoming families. And, although the original goal for the Rainbow Village COVID-19 Family Relief Fund was set at $10,000, a number of families came forward with generous matching gifts that inspired others to give. The funds raised will help provide summer programming for Rainbow Village kids, assist with increased summer utility costs in the provision of a safe and comfortable home for families, repair or replace aging appliances, and so much more.
For more information about Rainbow Village and its programs, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.
About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.
