History

In 2020 when the pandemic began, Acceptance Recovery Center created an initiative to address the ongoing issues many of our residents faced including unemployment, the risk of contracting COVID, a lack of childcare, higher rates of substance use-related deaths, increased use (even among those in long-term recovery), and high risks of becoming houseless.

To address these needs we created the Indigent Fund for our low to no-income residents in need of financial or economic assistance. Our recent intake forms show a majority (91%) of our residents have struggled with homelessness, financial stability, and low to no income status (or 65% AMI or below).

Since creating the Indigent Fund, donors and grant funding have allowed us to keep this initiative active:

2020-21: We were able to procure $90,000 for 1) residential assistance for admission and weekly residential fees; 2) to support the procurement of workplace documentation needs for residents (i.e. social security cards, driver’s licenses, and/or work uniforms or boots) and; 3) medical assistance for dental care or other emergency medical issues.

2022-23: We were awarded $100,005 in Community Development Block Funds through the Cares Act and Athens-Clarke County Government. We used these funds to support our Indigent Program, where we were able to provide rental assistance, child care assistance, and financial assistance to those needing to be admitted to our Foundational Program.

  • In 2020, we served 111 residents with our indigent funds.
  • In 2021 we served 121 residents with our indigent funds.
  • In 2022-23, we served 182 residents and their children with indigent funds.

Currently

Indigent funds contribute to building a stronger and more supportive recovery community and foster a sense of dignity and self-sufficiency for the individuals served. Since our most recent grant funding ended last year, we diligently work to secure future donors and grant-funding to keep our Indigent Fund active.

In 2024, we will use our current limited indigent funds to help our residents meet their basic needs and support them with admission and weekly fee assistance.