Community Resource Events
Our Place-Based Strategy
The Mayor’s Office of International & Immigrant Affairs – Welcoming Atlanta is leveraging place-based strategies and public-private partnerships to address resource and food access gaps in predominantly immigrant communities. Each month, we are serving an estimated 900 households at 10-12 place-based Community Resource Events. Our Community Resource Events seek to earn trust and empower neighborhoods by establishing safe spaces for residents to gather and access resources.
Our events take place in neighborhoods that are home to many residents that often do not qualify for traditional food assistance and who face significant barriers to resource access, including language, financial limitations, transportation, and documentation status.
With over 100 partner agencies offering resources and services at events, we are utilizing food access as a mechanism to strengthen neighborhoods, through a model that enhances public safety, equity, and opportunity.
2023 Impact Data
Signature Resource Fairs
Winter Resource Fair
In 2022, we hosted our 3rd annual Winter Resource Fair at the Sara J. González Memorial Park, in partnership with the Friends of Sara J. González Memorial Park and several Community Partners. We served 148 families, representing 11 countries! Attendees received staple food items, on-site health screenings, books, toys, diapers, gift cards, and snack bags. Community Partners included:
- A. Garcia Produce & Trucking
- Americold Logistics
- Common Market
- Emory University Urban Health Initiative
- Feed the Children
- Fulton County Library
- Helping Mamas
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – GA
- Repair the World
- Trinity Anglican Church
Immigrant Heritage Month Resource Fair
Our team gathered at the Sara J. González Memorial Park to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month with cultural performances, social service and health agencies, and food access. Over 200 residents received groceries, diapers, and snack items from immigrant-owned businesses. Community Partners included:
- Laotian American Society
- HOLIK from KPOP Atlanta Dance Studio
- Garima Dance Company
- Atlanta Fire Rescue Department
- Atlanta Police Department
- Center for Pan Asian Community Services
- Cherokee Family Violence Center
- Healing Community Center
- Latin American Association
- Latino Community Fund
- Tapestri
Youth Mental Health & Wellness Fair
Our team hosted a Youth Mental Health & Wellness Fair at the Abby Ridge Apartments in Adamsville, celebrating Mayor Dickens’ Year of the Youth. We served 51 households with resources for youth and families, specifically around mental wellness, and grocery items! Partner organizations connected attendees to youth behavioral health services, summer lifeguarding opportunities, parent support resources, teen mental health programming, summer camp registration, and more. Community Partners included:
- Atlanta Braves Foundation
- Atlanta Police Department Multicultural Liaison Unit
- Atlanta Public Schools Multilingual Programs & Services
- Center for Global Health Innovation
- Center for Victims of Torture
- Chris180
- City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation
- Healing Community Center
- HelloFresh
- Jean Childs Young Middle School
- Pratt Industries
- Second Helpings Atlanta
- Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center
Just Peace Month / Hispanic Heritage Month Resource Fair
We hosted a Community Resource Event in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and Mayor Dickens’ Just Peace Month in Adamsville. 46 families attended and received resources about fire safety, grocery items, and more. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, attendees also received food from Mexican 🇲🇽 and Honduran 🇭🇳 vendors, Rocko Pollo and Toñita’s Restaurant, who provided tastes of traditional cultural recipes. Community Partners included:
- Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department
- Atlanta Police Department
- Atlanta Public Schools Multilingual Programs & Services
- Benjamin Mays High School
- HelloFresh
- Jean Childs Young Middle School
- Mayor’s Division of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
- Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction
- Mexican Consulate
- Pratt Industries
- Second Helpings Atlanta
UPS Latinx Heritage Month Resource Fair
We celebrated Latinx Heritage Month with UPS and Crecer UPSers by hosting a Community Resource Event at the Sara J. González Memorial Park. 131 families received fresh produce and staple food items, thanks to sponsorship from UPS employees. Huge thank you to UPSers from the Crecer UPS Business Resource Group and the Future Leaders Business Resource Group for partnering to serve our immigrant community here in Atlanta!
Thanksgiving Events
In partnership with Common Market, HelloFresh, Pratt Industries, Second Helpings Atlanta, and the Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center, we hosted 8 total Thanksgiving turkey events in 2022. We served nearly 800 families in 8 different Atlanta neighborhoods, along with the help of 35 volunteers and our team of Community Navigators. Attendees received a turkey and ingredients for a Thanksgiving feast.