Atlanta Mission Homeless Services: What They Offer and How to Get Help

Atlanta Mission is one of the most established organizations serving people experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, Georgia. If you or someone you care about needs help, or you’re looking for a meaningful way to serve, understanding how Atlanta Mission homeless services work can make a big difference.

This guide walks through the main services, who they’re for, where they’re located, and how Atlantans can get involved.

What Is Atlanta Mission?

Atlanta Mission is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter, transitional programs, and support services for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in the Atlanta area.

They operate several different facilities across the city, each focused on specific needs, such as:

• Men’s shelter and recovery programs
• Women’s and children’s shelter
• Assessment and intake center
• Longer-term transformation and recovery programs

You do not have to belong to any particular religion to receive services.

Key Atlanta Mission Campuses and Who They Serve

Atlanta Mission organizes its homeless services across several main locations. Details like hours and intake times can change, so it’s always wise to call ahead before going in person.

1. Atlanta Mission – The Shepherd’s Inn (Men’s Services)

Focus: Men experiencing homelessness, emergency shelter, and programs.

• Typical services:
  • Emergency overnight shelter for men
  • Meals, showers, basic hygiene
  • Case management and referrals
  • Access to longer-term programs (when available)

This location is often a main entry point for adult men in need of immediate help with shelter and basic needs.

➡️ Tip: Beds can fill up quickly, especially in cold or severe weather. Men seeking shelter are usually encouraged to arrive early and check intake times by phone.

2. Atlanta Mission – My Sister’s House (Women & Children)

Focus: Women and children experiencing homelessness.

• Typical services:
  • Emergency shelter for single women and mothers with children
  • Daily meals and clothing
  • Case management and support services
  • Child-friendly spaces and family rooms
  • Access to counseling and life-skills programs

This is usually the main site for women and children seeking Atlanta Mission services.

➡️ Important: If you’re a parent, policies about custody, age of children, and intake may apply. Calling ahead allows staff to explain what to bring and what to expect.

3. Atlanta Mission – The Potter’s House (Men’s Recovery & Transformation)

Focus: Long-term recovery program for men, often with a focus on addiction recovery and life transformation.

• Typical services:
  • Residential, longer-term program
  • Structured daily schedule, classes, and work programs
  • Spiritual support (optional participation may vary)
  • Case management and planning for next steps

This program is generally for men ready to commit to more intensive, longer-term support beyond basic shelter.

4. Atlanta Mission – The Atlanta Day Services and Assessment Center

Atlanta Mission also maintains an assessment/intake and day services component, often serving as a first contact point for those needing help:

• Possible services:
  • Initial assessment to determine needs
  • Referrals to the appropriate Mission campus
  • Limited day services (showers, rest, basic needs), depending on current setup
  • Support with documents, job searches, and connecting to other Atlanta resources

If you’re unsure where to start, this type of assessment service is often the best first step.

At-a-Glance: Types of Atlanta Mission Homeless Services

Specific offerings can vary by location and over time, so it’s best to call the campus you plan to visit.

Who Can Use Atlanta Mission Services?

Atlanta Mission typically serves:

• Single men experiencing homelessness
• Single women experiencing homelessness
• Mothers with children (and sometimes other family configurations, depending on policies)
• People looking for recovery or transformation programs after homelessness, addiction, or related challenges

Things that often affect eligibility or intake:

• Gender and family status (men, women, women with children)
• Availability of beds on that particular day
• Willingness to participate in shelter rules and program structure

Atlanta Mission does not handle emergency medical crises. If someone is in immediate danger or having a life-threatening emergency, call 911 first.

How to Access Atlanta Mission Homeless Services

1. Call or Visit for Intake Information

The most direct way is to call the specific campus you think fits your situation (men, women, families) and ask:

• Do you have beds available tonight?
• What time should I arrive for intake?
• What ID or documents do I need to bring, if any?
• Are there any requirements I should know about (curfew, sobriety expectations, etc.)?

If you don’t know which campus is right, you can explain your situation by phone and ask to be directed to the correct intake process.

2. What to Expect at Intake

While the exact steps vary by location, many people report something like:

1. Check-in and basic questions about your situation and safety
2. Possible search for safety (weapons, contraband not allowed in shelter)
3. Paperwork or brief interview to gather necessary information
4. Orientation to rules, mealtimes, and sleeping arrangements

Programs that go beyond emergency shelter may require an additional assessment or program interview to ensure it’s a good fit.

3. What to Bring (If You Can)

If it’s safe and possible to do so, it often helps to bring:

• Some form of ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other identification)
• Any important medications in original containers
• Essential clothing and toiletries (if you have them)
• Important documents such as Social Security card or birth certificate (for later housing/job steps)

If you don’t have ID or documents, Atlanta Mission staff may still be able to work with you and can often help you start the process of replacing them.

Types of Support Beyond a Bed

Atlanta Mission aims not only to provide emergency shelter but also to help people stabilize and rebuild. Depending on the campus and program, services may include:

Case Management and Planning

Staff often help guests:

• Set short- and medium-term goals
• Apply for identification, benefits, or medical coverage
• Get referrals to housing programs, mental health providers, or addiction treatment

Job and Life Skills Support

Many Atlantans using Mission services want to get back to work or increase income. Support may include:

• Help with résumés and basic job search
• Referrals to workforce programs in metro Atlanta
• Life skills classes, such as budgeting, communication, or time management

Recovery and Spiritual Support

As a faith-based organization, Atlanta Mission offers:

• Optional Bible studies, chapel services, or spiritual counseling
• Recovery-focused programs at certain campuses for those addressing addiction

Participation in spiritual activities may be encouraged in some programs; if you have concerns, you can ask staff directly about how required or optional these elements are.

If Atlanta Mission Is Full: Other Atlanta Homeless Resources

Shelter demand in Atlanta can be high. If Atlanta Mission does not have space available, staff often provide referrals to other community resources, such as:

• Other nonprofit shelters in Atlanta
• Fulton or DeKalb County homeless outreach teams
• Coordinated entry systems tied to the local Continuum of Care
• Day centers and resource hubs in the city

You can also contact United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 service by dialing 211 from most phones in the metro area to get up-to-date information about other shelters and services.

How to Volunteer with Atlanta Mission

Many Atlanta residents and visitors want to help. Atlanta Mission offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, which may include:

• Serving meals at a shelter
• Helping with clothing closets or donation sorting
• Assisting with children’s activities (at women and children’s facilities)
• Providing professional skills (such as tutoring, job readiness workshops, or administrative help)

Steps to Volunteer

1. Visit Atlanta Mission’s official website or call their main office to ask about volunteer orientation.
2. Complete any required screening or training.
3. Pick a campus and schedule that fits your availability.

Some roles have age requirements, background checks, or training sessions, especially if you’ll be working directly with children or in more sensitive settings.

Donating to Support Atlanta Mission

If you’re not able to volunteer in person but still want to support homeless services in Atlanta, donating can be another way to help.

Common donation options include:

• Financial contributions to support shelter operations and programs
• In-kind donations such as:
  • New socks and underwear
  • Toiletries and hygiene kits
  • Gently used, weather-appropriate clothing
  • Baby supplies (for women’s and children’s facilities)

Before dropping off items, it’s best to check with the campus or main office to see what they currently accept and where to deliver it.

Practical Tips for Atlantans Seeking Help or Hoping to Help

👍 If you need help right now:

• Start with calling the appropriate Atlanta Mission campus for men, women, or women with children.
• If you can, arrive early in the day for better chances at a bed.
• If Mission is full, ask directly for referrals to other shelters and call 2-1-1 for more options.

🤝 If you want to support:

• Look for volunteer orientation opportunities that match your skills and schedule.
• Consider consistent monthly giving or targeted donations of high-need items (like socks, toiletries, or children’s supplies).
• Be patient and follow staff guidance; shelter environments can be busy, and staff often juggle urgent needs.

Atlanta Mission remains one of the central homeless service providers in Atlanta, GA, offering both emergency shelter and longer-term support. Whether you’re looking for a safe place to sleep tonight, a path to rebuild, or a way to serve your neighbors, understanding how Atlanta Mission works can help you take your next step with more clarity and confidence.