Community Story

Two Generations of Impact

Today, AAHS’s programs like Bridge to Home help parents gain the time, space, and resources they need to thrive. Partnerships with organizations like the Athens Area Community Foundation (AACF) are multiplying that impact.

For nearly 40 years, the Athens Area Homeless Shelter (AAHS) has been a trusted resource for families in crisis, walking alongside people as they move toward long-term stability. What began in 1986 as a short-term shelter has grown into a multi-layered organization offering everything from transitional housing to education and employment support.

Today, AAHS’s programs like Bridge to Home help parents gain the time, space, and resources they need to thrive. Partnerships with organizations like the Athens Area Community Foundation are multiplying that impact.

Olivia Amato, Executive Director of AAHS, shares, "Nonprofits don’t always get to be innovative but we have been able to do that because of the Community Foundation. We’ve had unique opportunities to grow, expand, and better serve our community because of the partnership with them.” Some of these innovations that came through initiatives from the Community Foundation include the family enrichment program, the playground, and more.

Amato has seen the organization evolve significantly over her eight years of involvement. “We’ve gone from primarily providing emergency shelter to offering long-term stability and helping families gain access to education, employment, and housing,” she says. “The staff at the Athens Area Community Foundation have brought so many things to life for us. They are thought leaders and advocates, and we are so grateful for their support."

Morgan Jones, Bridge to Home Development Specialist, sees firsthand how the program supports parents who are determined to create better futures for their children. “As a first-generation college student and a mom, I understand how hard it can be,” she says. “It’s really rewarding to help our parents find the resources they need and connect with schools, training programs, and job opportunities. We love getting to cheer them on.”

One of those parents is Aretina Lay, a recent Bridge to Home participant and single mother of three. While pursuing her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree, Aretina struggled to balance coursework, parenting, and bills. When she joined the program, AAHS provided her with a stable home and peace of mind. “We moved into a three-bedroom apartment where everything was taken care of — rent, utilities, everything — and I could just focus on school and my kids,” she says. “It was the first time I could breathe in a long time.”

Aretina’s dedication paid off: she graduated, passed her licensing exams, and now works as a nurse. Her success story deepened when her teenage son became part of the Gifted Savings program, an initiative supported by the Athens Area Community Foundation, that teaches high school students about financial literacy by giving them a real-world investment experience. “He learned a lot, and we learned together,” Aretina says.

Through these partnerships, families not only find stability but also gain access to opportunities that span generations. The ripple effects of one family’s experience reach far beyond their household, inspiring others in the community to pursue their own goals.

For Amato, the relationship between AAHS and the Athens Area Community Foundation represents the best of what community collaboration can do. “The Community Foundation helps raise the profile of nonprofits, connect resources, and inspire innovation,” she says.

She has been to many trainings through the Athens Area Community Foundation that have been “crucial in helping the board and team at AAHS improve what we do. If we can do what we do better, fewer families will face housing crises.”

Aretina sums it up: “People think homelessness defines you, but it’s not who you are. It’s just a time in your life.” Programs like these give families the chance to start again, and when that happens, the whole community grows stronger.

Thanks to their partnership with the Athens Area Community Foundation, the Athens Area Homeless Shelter continues to impact the lives of those right here in our community. Amato conveys her gratitude and passion, saying, “Because of the support of the Athens Area Community Foundation, we’re helping families transform their futures.”