Athens Area Homeless Shelter believes that every child deserves safe and stable housing. We cannot remain silent while Black families in our community lack safety and stability due to systemic racism that is especially apparent in the housing industry. Black children in Georgia are twice as likely as white children to experience homelessness and we stand against the practices creating this disparity (source). We acknowledge that as a community organization, led by majority white people in a town with a wide racial divide, we must listen, learn, and act. We are committed to advocating for just and liberated housing practices and educational opportunities for our Black community members. We believe Black lives matter.