Homeless Missions and Help in Atlanta: Where to Turn and How to Help

If you’re searching for “Atlanta homeless mission”, you’re likely looking for one of two things:

• A place in Atlanta where someone experiencing homelessness can get help
• A way to volunteer, donate, or get involved in supporting people without stable housing

This guide focuses on Atlanta, Georgia, and walks through major missions, shelters, and faith‑based programs in the city, what they typically offer, and how locals and visitors can connect with or support them.

Understanding Homeless Missions in Atlanta

In Atlanta, a homeless mission usually refers to:

• A faith-based organization (often Christian)
• Offering emergency shelter, meals, and basic needs
• Often providing recovery, counseling, job training, or spiritual services

These missions sit alongside secular shelters, nonprofit service providers, and government programs. Many people in Atlanta use a combination of resources—missions for meals and shelter, city programs for IDs or benefits, and nonprofits for legal or employment help.

Key Homeless Missions and Shelters in Atlanta

Below is a practical overview of some of the better-known, longstanding organizations in Atlanta that people often mean when they say “homeless mission.” Always call or check current details before going, as hours, intake rules, and capacity can change.

Atlanta Mission

Atlanta Mission is one of the largest and most recognized faith-based homeless service providers in the city. They operate several facilities focused on different populations.

Main Administrative Office

• Address: 2353 Bolton Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Phone: (often listed as a main line; confirm current number before calling)

Typical services across their campuses may include:

• Emergency shelter for men, women, and children (in different facilities)
• Daily meals
• Showers, clothing, hygiene items
• Case management and recovery programs
• Spiritual counseling and services

They usually have separate sites such as:

• A men’s shelter and recovery program
• A women and children’s shelter

Each campus has its own intake process and rules, so calling ahead is important.

City of Refuge

City of Refuge is a large, faith-based campus on the Westside that focuses on people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and life crises.

• Address: 1300 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30314
• Phone: Typically a main office line and program extensions

Services commonly offered:

• Shelter and residential programs (including for women and children)
• Meals and basic needs
• Job training and workforce programs
• Education and youth programs
• Health, wellness, and counseling supports
• Chaplaincy and faith-based services

City of Refuge often emphasizes longer-term transformation rather than only overnight shelter.

The Shepherd’s Inn (Men’s Services via Atlanta Mission)

Historically, The Shepherd’s Inn has been known as a men’s shelter connected to Atlanta Mission.

• Location: Near downtown / westside area (exact address and name may change as programs are restructured)

Men in Atlanta often access:

• Overnight emergency shelter
• Meals and showers
• Recovery, discipleship, or work programs

Because programming has evolved over time, men needing current shelter options should contact Atlanta Mission’s main office or helpline for up‑to‑date instructions.

My Sister’s House (Women and Children – Atlanta Mission)

My Sister’s House is a well-known women and children’s shelter operated under the Atlanta Mission umbrella.

• Location: Northwest Atlanta (verify current address and intake process directly)

They typically focus on:

• Shelter for single women and mothers with children
• Meals, clothing, basic supplies
• Case management and recovery programs
• Spiritual support

Intake often requires a phone call first and may have rules regarding age of male children, curfews, and length of stay.

Salvation Army – Metro Atlanta Area Command

The Salvation Army operates several facilities in the Atlanta area with a mix of emergency shelter and transitional programs.

Key sites in and near Atlanta include:

• Salvation Army Red Shield Services (often a larger shelter facility)
• Address (commonly referenced): 400 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 (check for current operations and shelter intake)

Potential services:

• Emergency shelter beds
• Meals and clothing closets
• Assistance with utility bills or rent (when available)
• Case management and spiritual support

It’s common for the Salvation Army to require ID (if available) and to follow scheduled intake times, especially for overnight beds.

Additional Faith-Based and Community Shelters

Beyond the major names, Atlanta has a network of smaller missions, churches, and nonprofit organizations that contribute to homeless services, such as:

• Local churches in downtown and Midtown serving weekly or daily meals
• Transitional housing programs attached to congregations
• Community ministries focused on outreach to unsheltered people under bridges, in encampments, or along MARTA routes

Because these smaller efforts can change more frequently, a good way to locate them is through centralized referral lines or major shelters that keep updated lists.

Quick Reference: Types of Help Homeless Missions Provide

How to Access Help if You’re Homeless in Atlanta

If you or someone you’re helping is homeless in Atlanta, focus on clear, manageable next steps.

1. Start with a Call for Directions and Intake Rules

Most missions have specific intake times and rules about:

• What you can bring
• Check‑in and curfew hours
• Whether they accept couples, pets, or older boys
• Sobriety expectations or searches

📞 Action step: Call the organization’s main number and ask:

• “Do you have space tonight?”
• “What time is intake, and what should I bring?”
• “Do you accept walk‑ins, or do I need a referral?”

If you don’t have a phone, public libraries, some day centers, or larger missions sometimes allow limited phone use.

2. Have Basic Documents if You Can

While some emergency shelters accept people with no ID, many missions prefer or request:

• Photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other)
• Any benefit cards (SNAP/EBT, Medicaid)
• Medications in original bottles

If you don’t have ID, staff can sometimes connect you with Georgia Department of Driver Services or other assistance programs to help you get replacement documents.

3. Know Where to Go in Downtown and Westside Atlanta

If you are already in central Atlanta:

• Around downtown, many resources cluster near transit, government buildings, and established shelters.
• On the Westside (including areas off Joseph E. Boone Blvd and Bolton Rd), you’ll find City of Refuge and Atlanta Mission facilities.

Using MARTA buses or trains can be an affordable way to reach these locations. Staff or volunteers at one agency can often help you plan a route to another.

Help for Specific Groups: Women, Children, and Families

Women, particularly those with children, often have different needs and safety concerns. In Atlanta:

Women and Children

Organizations like My Sister’s House and City of Refuge typically provide:

• Separate sleeping areas for women and children
• Family-focused case management
• Access to diapers, baby supplies, and children’s clothing
• Support around domestic violence, trauma, or safety planning

When calling, ask specifically:

• “Do you accept families?”
• “What is the maximum age for male children?”
• “Is there a waitlist, and how do I get on it?”

Single Women

Single women without children may access:

• Beds in women-only areas of larger shelters
• Recovery or discipleship programs aimed at long‑term stability
• Day programs with showers, meals, and group support

Because space can be limited, single women often need to call early in the day to secure a bed.

If You See Someone Experiencing Homelessness in Atlanta

Many Atlanta residents and visitors want to help but aren’t sure what’s appropriate or safe.

Practical Ways to Help

• Offer information:
  Share addresses or names of nearby missions and shelters (such as “Atlanta Mission on Bolton Rd” or “City of Refuge off Joseph E. Boone Blvd”).

• Provide small, portable items:
  Water, snacks, socks, and hygiene items are often welcome.

• Support organizations directly:
  Donating money, time, or in‑kind items (like toiletries or gently used coats) to established missions can have a broader impact than handing out cash on the street.

• Be respectful and listen:
  Not everyone is ready or able to accept shelter. Simply treating people with dignity matters.

Volunteering at an Atlanta Homeless Mission

If you live in or near Atlanta and want to get involved, missions often welcome volunteers.

Common Volunteer Roles

• Serving or preparing meals
• Sorting clothing donations
• Helping in children’s or youth programs (background checks are common)
• Administrative help or event support
• Professional skills (legal, financial counseling, career coaching) in structured programs

Most organizations ask volunteers to:

• Complete an application or orientation
• Commit to a regular schedule when possible
• Follow safety, privacy, and spiritual guidelines of the mission

If you’re visiting Atlanta but still want to help, some missions can use one-time volunteer groups for meal service or donation sorting. Call the organization’s volunteer or community engagement office for details.

Donating to Atlanta Homeless Missions

Missions rely heavily on community support. Typical needs include:

• Financial donations: Help cover shelter operations, utilities, staff, and food.
• In-kind donations:
  • New socks and underwear
  • Weather‑appropriate clothing (coats, hats, gloves)
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, feminine products)
  • Linens and blankets (often must be new)
  • Non‑perishable food

Before dropping off items, call and ask:

• “What do you need most right now?”
• “Do you have any items you cannot accept?”
• “What days and times can I bring donations?”

Some missions maintain central donation warehouses or specific drop‑off bays.

Using City and County Resources Alongside Missions

Faith-based homeless missions in Atlanta operate alongside public agencies and secular nonprofits. Combining these resources can make a big difference.

Government and Community Supports to Know

• Fulton County and City of Atlanta human services offices

  • May help with benefits applications (SNAP, Medicaid), housing referrals, or ID assistance.

• Local day resource centers

  • Offer a place to be indoors during the day, with access to showers, mail, case managers, and outreach staff.

• Healthcare for the homeless providers

  • Clinics and health systems with specialized outreach teams who know the missions and shelters well.

Missions frequently coordinate with these entities, so asking a case manager or shelter intake worker about additional referrals is a smart move.

Tips for Navigating Homeless Services in Atlanta

• Be persistent: Beds fill up quickly at many Atlanta missions. Calling early and trying more than one option increases your chances.
• Ask about waitlists: Even if a program is full, getting your name on a waitlist can open a door later.
• Use MARTA strategically: Many shelters are near bus lines or a MARTA rail station; staff often help with directions.
• Protect important items: Keep IDs, essential documents, and medications in a secure, weather‑resistant place.
• Stay connected to staff: Building a relationship with a case manager can help you access more stable housing, employment, or treatment over time.

Atlanta’s network of homeless missions, shelters, and outreach programs is extensive but can feel overwhelming to navigate. Whether you’re looking for immediate shelter, trying to help someone you’ve met on the street, or hoping to volunteer, starting with major organizations like Atlanta Mission, City of Refuge, and the Salvation Army—and then asking for referrals onward—is often the most effective path in the city.