Rainbow Village

Breaking the cycle of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence

Homeless Families

Rainbow Village Witnesses Outpouring from Community during First Ever Virtual Benefit Gala

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Largest Fundraiser of the Year to Support the Programs of Nonprofit Dedicated to Ending Homelessness – One Family at a Time – Proves an Unexpected Success

Duluth, Ga., November 17, 2020 – Each year for the last 22 years, Rainbow Village has played host to its much-anticipated We Are Family Benefit Gala – marking the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser. Easily earning the title of the event of the season, guests arrive at The Atlanta Athletic Club dressed in gowns and tuxedos to not only learn about the important work Rainbow Village is doing to help homeless families in need, but also to learn what they can do to help. At the end of last year’s Benefit Gala, the Duluth-based nonprofit had touched the hearts of its 300+ guests and raised an unprecedented $337,893 to support operation and maintenance of Rainbow Village’s campus that houses a community center, family services center and apartments to house 30 families, as well as the life-changing programming it offers that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond their time at the “Village.” In the face of COVID-19, Rainbow Village made the difficult decision to take this beloved event virtual. It livestreamed on Saturday, November 7, and by the end of the evening, the nonprofit had raised $220,000 – well above its goal.

“Because we weren’t hosting the Gala at our favorite ballroom at the Atlanta Athletic Club, we didn’t charge admission – which usually helps cover the cost of the venue but also goes towards our fundraising goal,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “For that reason, our goal was a bit more conservative than in years past. Not to mention the fact that our livestream was running up against some contentious college football games and we weren’t certain how much our donor base had been affected by the pandemic from a health and financial standpoint. There were a lot of uncertainties going into the event, but uncertainty is what our residents have faced for much of their lives – they’ve lived and breathed it – but kept the faith. That faith… that HOPE… is what brought them to our door. So, we chose to keep the faith, too, and host the best virtual Gala event we could possibly design. It was different, for sure. We didn’t get to see the faces of those who gave so selflessly and watched our livestream from beginning to end. We could definitely feel the love by the time all was said and done, and we are so incredibly grateful for the amazing show of support.”

In addition to direct donations, the bulk of the funds raised were from sponsorships, purchases from the wine wall and mobile bidding that allowed guests to participate in the silent and live auctions. During the livestream event, virtual attendees were treated to banter from Conner and auctioneer Dean Crownover, a heartfelt testimonial from a former Rainbow Village resident and a “behind-the-scenes” virtual tour of the Rainbow Village campus. For anyone unable to attend the Gala who still wants to show their support for the nonprofit and the families it serves, Rainbow Village has launched its year-end campaign to meet all operational costs for 2020. Included among these costs are the maintenance of its facilities and the unforeseen expenses of Digital Learning support for the children of Rainbow Village, such as the purchase of new technology and the hiring of full-time instructional coaches.

Sponsors of this year’s event, dubbed the 2020 Rainbow Village We Are Always Family Benefit Gala, included: Northside Hospital-Gwinnett, Metro Waterproofing Inc., Wilson-Lewis CPAs, Porter Steel, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, Rock Paper Scissors Branding & Marketing, Quantum National Bank, Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Peachtree Corners Business Association, SRD Photography, CIBO & VINO, Jeremy Whigham Design, The Lorentzen Family, The Bass Family, The Fletcher Family, The Morgan Family, The Kress Family and Leslie Harrison.

Donations to Rainbow Village can be made securely online at www.RainbowVillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991, Rainbow Village is a transformative 501(c)3 nonprofit program located in Duluth, GA that serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness. Our model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond our village. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Rainbow Village CEO Melanie Conner Named to Gwinnett Chamber Board

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Woman at the Helm of Georgia Nonprofit with a Mission to End Homelessness through Educational, Support-Driven, Compassionate Programming Becomes Chairman’s Appointee for One-Year Term

Duluth, Ga., October 15, 2020 – With the belief that an active, involved and supportive leadership is an indispensable asset for the continued success of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the organization with a mission to champion local businesses has named Rainbow Village CEO Melanie Conner to its 2021 Board of Directors.  At the helm of Duluth-based nonprofit – Rainbow Village – since January 2018, Conner has led the ongoing evolution of a transformative program that serves families experiencing homelessness. The Rainbow Village model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency. The vision and leadership she displays daily at Rainbow Village will no doubt prove an asset to the Chamber’s core group of influential members who are responsible for directing and upholding the mission and goals of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett.

“I am beyond humbled and honored to be named to the Gwinnett Chamber’s Board of Directors as a Chairman’s Appointee,” said Conner. “I look forward to serving alongside other visionary leaders who are wholly committed to the health and well-being of Gwinnett County’s thriving business community. From my purview at Rainbow Village, I see daily how the nonprofit community, business community, faith community, civic community and the citizens we serve are all interconnected. I look forward to having a hand in strengthening those connections, welcoming new businesses to Gwinnett and learning a great deal from my fellow board members during my term at the Chamber.”

Conner’s commitment as a member of the Board will help enhance the ability of the Chamber to continue its high-quality services and programs that assist in promoting and sustaining a pro-business environment in Gwinnett.  Established in 1947 as a rural chamber of commerce serving farmers and banks, the Gwinnett Chamber grew and changed alongside Gwinnett County. Today, as the leading advocate and innovative resource for businesses to connect and thrive, it serves more than 2,200 members throughout metro Atlanta by delivering programs that strengthen and connect businesses locally, regionally and globally. Dedicated to creating jobs and wealth while growing businesses, the Chamber’s calling to strengthen the community and quality of life aligns beautifully with Conner’s talents. Since assuming the role of CEO at Rainbow Village, she has made great strides in improving the nonprofit’s technology and tracking capabilities and establishing the Success Coach program to help instill initiative, self-development and accountability to foster meaningful growth in the lives of all who encounter Rainbow Village. Along with her leadership team, she has successfully navigated the Coronavirus Pandemic to ensure the well-being of the nonprofit and the families it serves.

“The incoming leadership of the Gwinnett Chamber’s board of directors strongly represents our great county,” said Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Nick Masino. “I look forward to working with Melanie Conner and the board as we continue to serve our members and the community.”

To learn more about Rainbow Village and its programs or to make a donation to support the nonprofit’s efforts, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991, Rainbow Village is a transformative 501(c)3 nonprofit program located in Duluth, GA that serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness. Our model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond our village. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

About the Gwinnett Chamber:  The Gwinnett Chamber serves as the voice for businesses, facilitating quality job growth opportunities while enhancing the community’s vitality and quality of life. The Chamber offers the metro Atlanta business community a wealth of growth opportunity by collaborating with regional partners to drive economic and community development initiatives throughout Georgia. Through its fundamental objectives to help create quality jobs and wealth, strengthen the community, and grow business, the Chamber serves more than 2,200 member companies in metro Atlanta while delivering innovative programs to connect businesses locally, regionally and globally. To learn more, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org.

Community Comes Together for the Families of Rainbow Village

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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.