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SOLUTIONS CORE FOUR #ForTheCommunity
Quest is a comprehensive community development corporation on Atlanta’s Westside that provides affordable housing and supportive services, and coordinates a host of health, economic and social services for residents. We promote the concept that everyone deserves a strong foundation — a safe home with an extensive social support network that allows all residents to thrive. OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND FOSTER SOCIAL EQUITY THROUGH COLLABORATION AND SERVICE INTEGRATION. . we are reshaping the future of community DEVELOPMENT WE WORK WITH MORE THAN 75 NONPROFIT PARTNERS ACROSS GEORGIA TO DELIVER A HOST OF SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, AND HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES FOR NEARLY 1,100 CLIENTS AND RESIDENTS ANNUALLY. Our ultimate vision is to perfect a collective impact model using affordable housing and a services delivery hub as vehicles for community collaboration. We develop affordable housing for underserved individuals and families, reducing barriers to economic mobility. We strive to build stable and vibrant communities for those who have been disenfranchised to position residents to break the cycle of generational poverty. For over two decades, we’ve created intentional communities to demonstrate that everyone deserves an opportunity to live productive lives in a safe and nurturing community setting.
Disenfranchised communities throughout Georgia face great challenges. We offer effective solutions to those challenges. Quest Core Four Resident-Centered Solutions Health & Supportive Services Our CARF accredited services provide at-risk populations with intensive case management focused on individual needs. (p.08) 03 08 QUEST CARES Community Engagement Connecting leaders and changemakers with the residents they serve is paramount for creating sustainable communities that thrive. (p.16) 16 QUEST ENGAGE Affordable & Supportive Housing Safe & secure housing is the essential foundation for individuals, families, and communities to succeed. (p.10) 10 QUEST COMMUNITIES Financial Management At Quest Fiduciary, we represent and advocate for the unique financial needs of vulnerable community members. (p.14) 14 QUEST FIDUCIARY
Our core strength is providing comprehensive case management for individuals and families affected by behavioral health, addictions, and physical disabilities. After homeless & underserved individuals are placed into secure communities, Quest offers essential services to meet their needs. These services include case management, mental health & addiction counseling, life skills groups, financial management, and workforce development. We recognize that the more our residents feel valued and supported, the more self-sufficient they become. Our CARF Accredited Supportive Services provide at-risk populations with intensive case management to address individual needs. Quest’s supportive services are accredited by CARF (Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities). CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. QUEST CARES Health & Supportive Services for Residents
Our efforts are helping reduce homelessness in Metro Atlanta Overall, Quest expects the results of our efforts of providing affordable housing with supportive services to the chronically homeless population of men, women, and veterans will contribute to reducing homelessness in Metro Atlanta. This will be achieved by reintegrating formerly homeless individuals into the community who are more stable and more productive contributing members of the community. Our community residents are our number one priority Due to the type and complexity of services we provide and the clients we serve, major milestones for every resident are unique. Each resident confers with an assigned case manager who works with them upon entry into our program to develop an individualized service plan (ISP). Major milestones can include securing proper identification (state IDs, birth certificates, social security cards, etc.), seeking employment/benefits, and getting connected with mental health services, substance abuse counseling/treatment, and affordable housing. 05 Quest continues to rank #1 in quality among Atlanta's Homeless Service Providers
WE ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO REIMAGINE THEIR QUEST FOR LIFE The Legacy Program helped me, and my kids get off the street and out of an abusive relationship, get a good job with good pay, and was just a constant support during my process of getting back on my feet. Thank you, Quest. Sherry Quest Legacy Program Resident After my discharge from the Army, I had a hard time finding a civilian job and became homeless. I now live in a Quest residence for veterans, with my own case manager and someone to talk to when I need help. I could not ask for a more supportive environment. David - U.S. Army Veteran Quest Veterans Village Resident " QUEST CARES
WE WORK AS A COLLECTIVE TO RESEARCH AND EXECUTE EVIDENCED-BASED PRACTICES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCES AT QUEST. WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING. MELISSA TYSON DIRECTOR, QUEST CARES Cultivating Healthy Activities For Westside Residents In addition to the basic supportive housing work that we offer (medical referrals, transportation to doctor’s visits, assistance with acquiring medical benefits, etc.), Quest also provides healthy activities to support the overall wellbeing of our residents. We offer wellness classes including exercise (Yoga), Diabetes Prevention, Healthy Cooking, HIV Prevention, and other classes on a continuous basis. Many of these classes are also available, not only to our residents, but to the community-at-large. In addition to these classes, we are honored to have many of our service partners visit our communities to offer services directly to our clients via mobile clinics and other wellness programs. QUEST CARES: TEAM SPOTLIGHT Vincent Gray is our client services coordinator and manages The Gardens at Collegetown location which provides Permanent Supportive Housing. The residents at this property continuously show their appreciation for the role that Vincent plays in their lives. He is very interactive with the community in organizing yoga and gardening classes and weekly motivational meetings. Vincent has worked at this location for over fourteen years and is a valuable asset to the community. Vincent loves to incorporate music and dance in the events that he hosts so residents can have continuously joyous moments with their neighbors. LIFE GETS BETTER IN A QUEST COMMUNITY
Partners for HOME, City of Atlanta Continuum of Care (CoC) The lead agency for the City of Atlanta coordinates services for homeless residents. Westside Works A community workforce development program that provides job training in the areas of construction, nursing assistance, automotive repair, and culinary arts. Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services A Federally Qualified Health Center that provides healthcare to the homeless in the Atlanta metropolitan area including Fulton County. Caring Works, Inc. Provides case management services to homeless individuals living in permanent supportive housing. St. Jude’s Recovery Center Provides detox and treatment options for those in recovery. Atlanta Community Food Bank Provides non-perishable goods to residents. The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta Provides furniture to residents. Families First Provides adoption services, transitional housing, parenting skills training, and family support services. Veterans Empowerment Organization (VEO) Provides housing and supportive services to Veteran residents. Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency Provides MARTA transportation cards at a discounted rate to assist with employment and workforce development of residents. Quest collaborates with a variety of partners to assist in addressing the needs of residents. Below is a selected list of our key partners: key service PARTNERS Quest participates in the Atlanta Continuum of Care, a centralized and coordinated system for housing homeless persons. One hundred percent of the clients we serve are homeless and are referred to Quest through the Atlanta Continuum of Care.
s Covenant Communities Provides outpatient day treatment program to support those living in recovery. City Of Refuge Women and Children’s service center that provides temporary transitional housing, shelter services for women with no kids, a daycare center, workforce development programs, and secondary education 6-12. Chris 180 Saves serves and protects children, young adults, and families who have experienced trauma to help them change the direction of their lives. Partnership with Quest includes the development of homes for the demographic Chris 180 serves which includes young adults who were formerly homeless, aged out of foster care, or women and their children who are escaping an abusive home. Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Constructs quality homes in a cost-efficient manner. Habitat is working with Quest to serve as a General Contractor in the development of homes for the young adults served by Chris 180. The Gateway Center Referral source for homeless individuals. The Veteran’s Administration Provides healthcare and supportive services to veterans. Social Security Administration Provides support and information for residents seeking benefits. Fulton Fresh Fulton County initiative that provides healthy cooking options and fresh fruits and vegetables to residents. Open Hand Atlanta Cooking Matters Program Cooking Matters is a national program that empowers families at risk of hunger with the skills, knowledge and to make healthy and affordable meals. Recovery Consultants of Atlanta Provides monthly HIV testing and education to residents and the community. 09
Housing is the first step in creating stability for Westside residents. We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to create a life for themselves from a strong foundation — a safe and secure home where no family is cost burdened (paying more than 30% of their income for rent/mortgage). Our approach to community development helps reduce displacement, maintain retention, and ensure current residents have an affordable place to call home. Quest develops affordable housing for underserved individuals and families, reducing barriers to economic mobility. We strive to build stable and vibrant communities for those who have been disenfranchised to position residents to break the cycle of generational poverty. QUEST COMMUNITIES Affordable & Supportive Housing Communities EVERYONE DESERVES A STRONG FOUNDATION — A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME.
ACTIVE COMMUNITIES Quest Village* Quest Veterans Village* Quest Enclave* Quest Commons West Quest Westlake* The Leonard House* Quest Village @ English Ave.* HOUSING PIPELINE Quest Residences Heritage Village West* The Simpson West The Springfield West MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP Quest Single Family Homes * Supportive Housing One of Quest’s primary objectives for all of our developments is that its location allows for easy accessibility to neighboring resources and amenities. Within 1.5 miles of the development, residents can access education, green space, healthcare, and healthy food opportunities. Rodney Cook Sr. Park in Historic Vine City Quest Commons West Resident Area
QUEST COMMONS WEST QUEST COMMUNITIES
The Leonard House is a FREE 6-month transitional housing program servicing men with a substance abuse diagnosis or who are currently in recovery. ü Life Skills Training ü Relapse Prevention Groups ü Drug-Free Social Activities ü Clinical Nursing Support Daily Recovery Management: Essential Wrap-around Services ü One-On-One Case Management ü Daily Living Skills Training ü Resources to Support Self-Sufficiency ü Opportunities to Develop Healthy Habits ü Employment Assistance Quest Enclave Quest Village Quest Veterans Village Quest Complex I&II The Leonard House
Organizational Payee Representative Non-Attorney Direct Pay Representative SSA and VA Quest Fiduciary is a financial management program maximizing financial responsibility in an effort toward promoting economic mobility and wealth building. Community members who have been diagnosed with a mental disability are able to confidently rely on the help of Quest Fiduciary to manage their income and protect them from predatory financial practices. Quest Fiduciary helps beneficiaries who need assistance with paying their bills and provides financial management for over 800 social security beneficiaries throughout the state. To ensure housing stability, we verify that all clients' bills are taken care of and in turn - help provide an overall better quality of life for residents on the Westside. Quest Fiduciary has helped many underserved Georgians attain independence and peace of mind. FINANCIAL QUEST FIDUCIARY management
QUEST FIDUCIARY LEADS THE LARGEST PAYEE PROGRAM IN THE STATE. We represent and advocate for the unique financial needs of vulnerable residents statewide. AT QUEST FIDUCIARY, WE FIGHT AGAINST FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND ASSIST WITH MONEY MANAGEMENT 15 Statewide: 3 Locations ATLANTA, VALDOSTA, MACON $4M BENEFITS MANAGED FOR SSI RECIPIENTS AND VETERANS ANNUALLY
At Quest, we know that communities are the epicenter for social change. This understanding drives us to bring economic and social justice to the people and communities we serve. We work with community partners to find solutions to dismantling systematic racism in housing and close the growing racial wealth gap in our communities on the Westside. Affordable housing is a stabilizer, but supportive communities are an equalizer. We believe that no matter their circumstances, every person deserves to reach their highest potential. Our approach positions communities and residents to become catalysts for positive change. Our work, our purpose, is to make a real and positive mark on the residents we serve by engaging with our communities. QUEST ENGAGE Corporate & Community Engagement
is vital COMMUNITY CONNECTION
making an impact on Atlanta's WESTSIDE OUR IMPACT CENTER GIVES US BETTER VISIBILITY AND IN TURN — BETTER ACCESSIBILITY FOR OUR CLIENTS ON THE WESTSIDE.
WESTSIDE IMPACT CENTER COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS The center delivers housing, social services, and community development resources to the residents of Atlanta’s Westside via three main pillars of community development: affordable housing, economic inclusion, and workforce development. THE QUEST WESTSIDE IMPACT CENTER SERVES AS THE CENTRAL HUB OF ATLANTA’S WESTSIDE COMMUNITIES Quest’s 30,000-square-foot Impact Center houses offices, a community center, educational services, and retail along Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, near the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. The Cooper Carry-designed project’s overarching goal is to be a “a central hub of transformation” at the junction of Bankhead, English Avenue, Washington Park, and Vine City. The QWIC is not merely a service center and referral resource for Westside residents, It’s a community engine for transformational change. 19 Financial support for the QWIC came by way of Invest Atlanta, the Westside Future Fund, SunTrust Banks (now Truist), and the Arthur Blank Foundation. The QWIC racked up awards before it was built, winning the 2019 NOMAtlanta NSPIRE Award, Un-Built Category and the 2019 NOMAtlanta NSPIRE Village Voice Award.
bringing wisdom to Atlanta's airwaves The Westside Wise Podcast (WWP) provides a wealth of information to maintain Westside Atlanta’s Historical Legacy. WWP is a vehicle to create conversations in search of solutions to help elevate the quality of life for the communities we all serve on Atlanta’s Historic Westside. Although WWP episodes are focused on the Westside of Atlanta, we understand that the issues we are battling are nationwide in every urban center and we seek to be a unifying force in the fight for a better future for the most vulnerable populations among us. THE WESTSIDEWISE PODCAST
#WESTSIDEWISE Bridging The Digital Divide On ATL's Westside A discussion featuring Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T - Southeast Coastal States. AT&T is committed to closing the digital divide in underserved communities through providing very low cost and high-quality internet service, opening AT&T Connected Learning Centers with community partners, and giving back to our schools, among other initiatives. Spotlighting The Needs Of SW ATL There are big changes happening in this part of the city and Councilwoman Collier-Overstreet dropped in to reaffirm her commitment to her constituents, and to ensure that their visions for their neighborhood are included in the fast-changing landscape that surrounds them. Strengthening ATL's Westside This discussion features Byron Amos, city of Atlanta district 3 council member and longtime Vine City resident. Mr. Amos’ part of the city is currently experiencing unprecedented growth that has sparked fear in many residents and we will hear about initiatives that showcase his continued commitment to the Westside. The Westside Wise Podcast brings likeminded community leaders, activists, and organizers together to help find solutions to the many social challenges communities of color face in the new millennium. Check Out Our Latest Episodes QUESTCDC.ORG/WISE 2022 WWP GUESTS connected by KENYA GOULD ANDRE DICKENS NATALIE HALL JOHN AHMANN ERI SAIKAWA DONNA BURMAN BYRON AMOS JUSTIN CUTLER 2023 WWP GUESTS 21
creating resilient communities TOGETHER
PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT proud to be in the NeighborWorks Network To ensure that NeighborWorks network organizations are strong and healthy in their operations, they conduct rigorous assessment before acceptance into the NeighborWorks network and every year after. NeighborWorks offers programs and support to help their network organizations establish and maintain healthy operations, measure the reach of their efforts, expand their program offerings to meet community needs, and move toward long-term stability and growth. OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND FOSTER SOCIAL EQUITY THROUGH COLLABORATION AND SERVICE INTEGRATION. The NeighborWorks team helps us keep our mission top of mind as we work together to build strong communities every day. At the foundation of the NeighborWorks mission are nearly 250 strong, healthy, and prepared network organizations in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As a congressionally chartered and funded nonpartisan nonprofit, NeighborWorks supports organizations that provide communities with affordable housing, financial counseling and coaching, training, and resident engagement, and collaboration in the areas of health, employment, and education. the field’s leading racial wealth equity and economic opportunity professionals. Working Together for Strong Communities 23 "
QuestCDC is a pioneering force in affordable housing development in Georgia and committed to creating housing stability for residents at the lowest income levels. With a focus on social equity and economic inclusion, QuestCDC is dedicated to transforming communities and improving the lives of Atlanta's most vulnerable residents.
299 Joseph E. Lowery NW, STE 301 | Atlanta, Georgia 30314 | 678-705-5318 Quest Community Development Corporation | QUESTCDC.ORG @QUESTCDC #ForTheCommunity Health & Supportive Services - Affordable & Supportive Housing Fiduciary & Financial Management - Community Engagement