Atlanta Community Services: How to Find Help, Support, and Resources in the City

Atlanta offers a wide range of community services for residents, workers, students, and visitors. Whether you need help with housing, food, transportation, employment, or simply want to get more involved in your neighborhood, there are many agencies and nonprofits across the city that can help.

This guide walks through the major types of community services in Atlanta, where they’re typically located, and how to reach them, with a focus on clear next steps for people who live in or are spending time in the city.

Key Community Services in Atlanta at a Glance

Below is a quick overview of core community service areas and where Atlantans often start.

Each section below explains these in more detail, with Atlanta-specific context and practical ways to connect.

Where to Start When You’re Not Sure What You Need

If you know you need help but aren’t sure what type of service applies, it’s common to start with a general information and referral line.

United Way 2-1-1 (Metro Atlanta)

United Way 2-1-1 is a widely used starting point for people across Atlanta looking for community services such as:

• Emergency shelter or housing support
• Food pantries and meal programs
• Utility bill or rent assistance referrals
• Healthcare and mental health resources
• Help for older adults, children, and people with disabilities

You can typically reach 2-1-1 by:

• Dialing 2-1-1 from most phones in the metro Atlanta area
• Using their searchable resource directories (if you have internet access)

Tell the operator your zip code, situation, and type of help you’re looking for. They usually provide a list of nearby organizations, hours, and basic eligibility information.

Housing, Homelessness, and Emergency Shelter in Atlanta

Housing is one of the most requested community services in Atlanta. There are multiple layers: emergency shelter, transitional housing, and longer-term assistance.

Emergency and Short-Term Housing Support

For people who are experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Human Services
  This office coordinates many of the city’s efforts around homeless services and vulnerable populations. Staff can often direct residents to current shelter options, outreach teams, and partner agencies.

• Gateway Center
  Located near downtown, the Gateway Center is a key hub for homeless services, including assessment, referrals to shelters, and connections to case management.
  Address (main campus commonly used):
  275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  People often go here for intake, day services, and housing navigation support.

• Partners for HOME (Coordinated Entry)
  Partners for HOME works with the City of Atlanta to manage coordinated entry for homelessness services. Instead of calling every shelter individually, coordinated entry helps assess your situation and match you to appropriate housing resources when available.

If you’re sleeping outside, in a car, or in a place not meant for habitation, outreach teams working with these agencies may connect you to emergency shelter, diversion programs, or rapid rehousing options, depending on eligibility and funding.

Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention

For renters in Atlanta who are behind on rent or facing eviction, options often include:

• County-level programs (Fulton and DeKalb) that may offer limited emergency assistance or connect you with partner agencies.
• Faith-based and nonprofit organizations that help with part of a month’s rent or security deposits when funding allows.
• Legal assistance (covered later in this guide) if you have received an eviction notice or court summons.

Because rental assistance programs open and close based on available funds, most residents start by:

1. Calling 2-1-1 to see what’s active right now.
2. Contacting their county human services department.
3. Reaching out to local nonprofits listed in eviction documents or by neighborhood referrals.

Food Assistance and Community Meal Programs

Food access is a central part of Atlanta’s community services network. Support ranges from large regional organizations to small neighborhood pantries.

Food Pantries and Grocery Support

Atlanta Community Food Bank works with hundreds of partner agencies across metro Atlanta. These partners include:

• Churches and faith-based pantries
• Community centers
• Mobile food distributions

You generally do not go directly to the Food Bank for groceries. Instead, you:

1. Call 2-1-1 or check local listings to find a partner pantry near your Atlanta neighborhood (for example, Westside, South Atlanta, or East Atlanta areas).
2. Confirm hours, ID requirements, and what you need to bring (some ask for proof of address; others don’t).

Many Atlanta pantries allow families to receive groceries once or twice a month, depending on resources.

Free and Low-Cost Community Meals

Across the city, especially near downtown and Midtown, several organizations offer free prepared meals:

• Day shelters and outreach centers near downtown
• Church-based meal ministries (often on set days like Saturdays or Sundays)
• Community kitchens that serve lunch or dinner to anyone who comes during open hours

These meal programs can be helpful if you don’t have cooking facilities, are between housing situations, or need immediate help while waiting for benefits to be processed.

Utility Bills, Water, and Basic Needs

Atlanta residents who are struggling to keep up with electric, gas, or water bills can sometimes access short-term assistance.

Utility Assistance

Common routes for utility help include:

• Georgia Power customer assistance programs, which may offer payment plans or referrals to community assistance partners.
• Nonprofit agencies that provide seasonal heating or cooling aid, usually during peak summer or winter months.
• County-based programs for low-income energy assistance, commonly known under LIHEAP (administered at the state/county level).

For city water and sewer bills, City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management may offer:

• Payment arrangements
• Some hardship options for qualifying customers

Many Atlantans begin by calling the utility company directly to ask about hardship programs, then contact 2-1-1 to locate nonprofits that assist with applications.

Healthcare, Clinics, and Mental Health Services

Atlanta has a mix of public hospitals, community health centers, and private providers. Community services typically focus on people who are uninsured, underinsured, or facing financial barriers.

Public and Safety-Net Healthcare

• Grady Health System
  Grady is the major public hospital serving Atlanta and Fulton County residents.
  Main campus: 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

  Grady and its neighborhood clinics often provide:

  • Primary care
  • Specialty services
  • Emergency care
  • Behavioral health services

• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  Multiple FQHCs in Atlanta offer sliding-scale primary care and sometimes dental or behavioral health. These clinics base fees on income and are often located in neighborhoods such as West End, Old Fourth Ward, or along major transit corridors.

Mental Health and Crisis Support

Mental health services in Atlanta often run through:

• Community service boards in the metro area, which offer outpatient counseling, psychiatric services, and crisis stabilization.
• Hospital-based programs (like those at Grady) for more intensive needs.
• Nonprofit counseling centers providing low-cost or sliding-scale therapy.

For an immediate mental health or emotional crisis, Atlantans typically use:

• 988 – the nationwide mental health crisis line, which also serves Atlanta.
• Local hospital emergency departments if there is a clear risk of harm.

Services for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities

Atlanta’s older adults and people with disabilities can access supports through city, county, and regional agencies.

Senior Services

Key resources for senior Atlantans include:

• Fulton County Senior Services
  Serving older adults in Atlanta neighborhoods within Fulton County with:

  • Senior centers and activities
  • Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors
  • Case management and information/referral

  Central office location often referenced:
  Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

• DeKalb County Office of Senior Services
  For Atlanta residents who live on the DeKalb side of the city, this office offers similar services (senior centers, meal services, caregiver support).

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
  The regional aging agency covering Atlanta helps connect seniors and caregivers with:

  • Long-term care options counseling
  • In-home support programs, where available
  • Transportation and caregiver resources

When calling, have the senior’s address, age, and basic medical/functional needs ready so staff can match the right program.

Disability and Independent Living Services

Adults with disabilities in Atlanta commonly work with:

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) for employment-related support.
• Centers for Independent Living in the metro area for peer support, skills training, and advocacy.
• County-level services or advocacy groups for additional support with housing, benefits, or accessibility.

Youth, Families, and Education Support

Families in Atlanta can tap into school-based resources, after-school programs, and youth development services.

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and School-Based Services

If your child attends Atlanta Public Schools, many school social workers and counselors can:

• Connect families to food assistance, clothing closets, and school supplies.
• Help with referrals for counseling or special education evaluations.
• Provide information about after-school programs and summer learning opportunities.

APS headquarters:
130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

If you are unsure where to start, contacting your child’s school front office and asking for the social worker or counselor is a common first step.

Youth Programs and After-School Activities

Across Atlanta, youth services often include:

• City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation centers that offer sports, arts, and after-school programming.
• Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA branches, and other community centers providing structured programs, homework help, and mentoring.
• Nonprofit organizations focused on specific neighborhoods, such as Westside or South Atlanta youth initiatives.

Parents usually sign up by visiting the nearest recreation center or club location, asking about:

• Age eligibility
• Program fees or fee waivers
• Transportation options from school

Employment, Job Training, and Small Business Support

Atlanta has multiple entry points for people seeking jobs, training, or help starting a business.

WorkSource Atlanta and Workforce Programs

WorkSource Atlanta is a central workforce development agency serving city residents. Services generally include:

• Job search help and resume assistance
• Career counseling and skills assessment
• Training vouchers or programs for in-demand fields (subject to eligibility)
• Youth and young adult employment programs

Main office location often referenced:
818 Pollard Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30315

You typically start by:

1. Checking whether you reside within the City of Atlanta limits (not just metro Atlanta).
2. Calling or visiting to schedule an orientation or intake appointment.
3. Bringing identification and proof of address to confirm eligibility.

Additional Job and Training Resources

Other Atlanta-based options often used by job seekers:

• Goodwill of North Georgia career centers for job readiness classes and employer connections.
• Community colleges and technical colleges in the Atlanta area, many of which partner with workforce agencies.
• Small business support centers that assist with:
  • Business planning
  • Licensing basics in Atlanta and Fulton/DeKalb
  • Access to mentoring for new entrepreneurs

Transportation, MARTA, and Accessibility

Many community services in Atlanta are easier to use if you understand local public transit and mobility options.

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

MARTA runs:

• Rail lines connecting key points like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and peripheral stations.
• Bus routes throughout many neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Key features for community access:

• Reduced Fare Program for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Applicants typically provide documentation at a customer service center.
• MARTA Mobility (Paratransit) for people whose disabilities prevent them from riding fixed-route buses or trains. Eligibility requires an application and assessment.

Many community-based organizations help clients apply for discounted transit cards or coordinate transportation to appointments.

Legal Aid and Victim Assistance in Atlanta

Legal issues often arise alongside housing, family, and financial challenges. Atlanta has several nonprofit legal service providers.

Civil Legal Aid

Atlanta Legal Aid Society is one of the primary sources of free or low-cost civil legal help for eligible residents, handling issues such as:

• Evictions and housing disputes
• Public benefits (for example, SNAP or disability appeals)
• Family law in some cases (such as domestic violence-related matters)

Main office location often referenced:
54 Ellis St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia Legal Services Program also serves low-income people across much of the state and may assist Atlanta residents who meet their criteria.

You usually start by calling the intake line, explaining:

• Your legal problem (e.g., an eviction notice or benefits termination letter)
• Your income level and household size

They then determine if they can represent you or provide advice and referrals.

Victim-Witness and Domestic Violence Services

For people in Atlanta experiencing crime-related issues or abuse:

• Victim-Witness Assistance Programs operate in the Fulton County and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Offices, helping crime victims navigate the court system and access support.
• Domestic violence service providers in the metro area may assist with:
  • Emergency shelter
  • Safety planning
  • Protective order guidance

Individuals in immediate danger often contact 911 first, then ask responding officers or hospital staff for information about domestic violence or victim support services.

Neighborhood and Community Centers

On a more local level, Atlanta’s community and recreation centers often function as everyday hubs for services.

What Neighborhood Centers Typically Offer

Depending on the location, a community center in Atlanta may provide:

• After-school programs and youth activities
• Fitness, sports leagues, and classes
• Senior activities and congregate meals
• Free or low-cost meeting rooms for neighborhood groups
• Occasional health screenings or community events

Centers operated by City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation are spread across many neighborhoods, including:

• Ben Hill, West End, Grant Park, Peoplestown, Buckhead, and more

Residents usually:

1. Visit the closest center during office hours.
2. Ask staff about program calendars, registration, and any fees.
3. Sign up for programs for themselves, their children, or older family members.

How to Navigate Atlanta Community Services Effectively

Community services in Atlanta can feel confusing, especially if you’re trying to solve more than one problem at once. A few practical tips:

• Start local, then go wider. Begin with your nearest community center, school, clinic, or county office, and ask what’s available.
• Use 2-1-1 as a directory. When you’re not sure which organization to call, 2-1-1 is one of the fastest ways to learn what’s active near your Atlanta address.
• Bring documents. When visiting agencies, it often helps to have:
  • A photo ID (if you have one)
  • Proof of address (like a lease, bill, or shelter letter)
  • Any notices (eviction papers, utility shutoff letters, court documents)
• Ask about eligibility and waitlists. Many Atlanta programs have income guidelines or limited capacity. It’s normal to ask whether there’s a waitlist or alternative options.
• Keep contact information handy. Write down names of staff you speak with, appointment dates, and any case numbers you receive.

Community services in Atlanta are designed to help residents stabilize, access opportunities, and stay connected. Whether you’re seeking urgent assistance or planning ahead, there are many points of entry across the city to get started.