History

Welcome to the Georgia Foundation for Empowered Living (GAFEL) website! Regardless of what led you to our organization, we appreciate your interest and look forward to partnering with you to ensure that no family is left outside.

Homelessness in America is not limited to panhandlers or drug users. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education reported that more than 1.2 million public school students from pre-K through grade 12 experienced homelessness in the 2021-2022 school year.  In 2022, Georgia had an astonishing 10,000+ individuals categorized as homeless daily, including 864 family households, 764 veterans, 504 unaccompanied young adults (ages 18-24), and 1,374 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The most shocking statistic is that 30% of these homeless families are headed by a working adult, usually the mother. In light of this, what proactive measures can we implement to address this crisis, which is not only widespread across America but also particularly evident in our own state of Georgia?

In the spring of 2018, sisters Millicent and Ta-Nika began discussing their passion for making a meaningful impact on others. As educators, they initially considered starting a school or learning center, but over time, they became acutely aware of a large population of underserved students experiencing homelessness. This awareness led to the formation of the Georgia Foundation for Empowered Living, Inc., a non-profit organization established in January 2023. GAFEL is dedicated to administering vital resources and programs by building partnerships within communities to help families avert homelessness.

In pursuing its mission, GAFEL strives to strengthen families in the Atlanta Metropolitan area by empowering them to become self-sufficient and thrive through:

• Providing tangible commodities (e.g., food, personal and home care items, and clothing)

• Offering financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, and child care

• Providing after-school tutoring, adult literacy programs, and life skills training

• Offering job-readiness training and career coaching

At GAFEL, we believe that with the right support and resources, every family can overcome challenges and achieve lasting stability. Through our dedicated programs and community partnerships, we aim to empower individuals and families to break the cycle of homelessness and build a brighter future. We are committed to making a positive difference, one family at a time, and invite you to join us in this vital work. Together, we can ensure that no family in Georgia is left without a safe and stable place to call home.