Rainbow Village, Inc.

I have had the most unique experience with this agency, first as a resident in 1997 , as a volunteer, board member and for the last 8 years a member of their staff.
What makes this agency strong and different from others that work with homeless families, the fact they have a heart for those they serve and place the families above all else. What other agency's do you know that spend eighty cents on the dollar towards families and twenty cents towards administrative costs.

When I came into this program I was at the lowest point in my life with two small children 2 year & 8 months old, and pregnant with my third. They did not judge me, but instead supported me and provided the tools I needed to become the mother and women God has designed me to become.
Becoming homeless was not my goal, but I no longer hold my head down in shame regarding that chapter in my life and I am proud to say I once was in this program.

I am a former resident/ Graduate of Rainbow Village. I am going to always be grateful to Rainbow Village. I am a mother of 3 kids, two of them are twins. They helped me to become self sufficient in many ways. They became a safe haven for me and my family. I love the fact that they taught their residents how to safe. I was able to put a deposit on an apartment, get my lights turned on, and pay a couple months of rent with the money I saved from doing the program. They provided Christmas, and birthdays for my children. The volunteers were wonderful, as well, as the staff. Being in the program really changed my life.

As a board member of Rainbow Village, and later as a member of the staff, I found it to be one of the most comprehensive in its approach to the problem of homeless families with children. Recognizing that the long-term objective of the program is to empower heads of household in homeless families to achieve financial stability and self-sufficiency, the staff knows that skills related to self-sufficiency cannot be acquired by anyone until they have dealt with the emotional fallout from the domestic abuse the majority of these families have experienced. And they understand that recovery from the trauma of homelessness for any reason is virtually impossible without the consistent and loyal support of a community of people. Whether it is scheduling a life-skills class for adults on the topic of stress management or parenting skills or ensuring that the school-aged children in the families receive the help they need to succeed in school or providing a private home where the families can live and heal together, Rainbow Village makes available to their clients all of the tools and resources they may need and all of the structure and support they must have to stand on their feet again.

For many years I have admired the work of Rainbow Village in our community. They provide so much more than shelter. They provide hope, faith, love and promise for a new tomorrow for homeless families. Theirs is a unique model that offers long-term solutions that enable families to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. They help those who are hopeless get back on their feet and find their way back to a path success and self-sufficiency. I have supported this organization in many ways through the years and will continue to be a champion for their mission for many years to come. Whether you are looking to volunteer, be an advocate, or donate resources, there is a place for you be involved at Rainbow Village. I challenge you to learn more! www.rainbowvillage.org

Rainbow Village is a wonderful established organization that focuses on homeless famiies with children. I loe what they do for the kids. It is amazing to see how these kids thrive in this environment. All the children need is a little love and a safe secure home. Rainbow Village provides afterschool care so the mothers can work. The kids get tutoring and adult mentors that want to see them suceed! The change in these kids when they enter the Rainbow Village program and when they leave the program 12 months later is signficant!

Rainbow Village endeavors to make a difference in the lives of women and children who are fleeing domestic violence and attempting to break the vicious cycles of poverty and abuse. The rate of women and their children successfully making it in today's society as contributing citizens is phenomenal. The care and support along with skills being taught truly enable the community members to learn how to move forward in a positive direction. Rainbow Village is making a huge difference in the north metro Atlanta area.

Rainbow Village is on a God-given mission. I remember when the journey started as a outreach ministry of our church so many years ago. I volunteered at that time with my teenage daughter to help renovate the then "Rainbow House" that housed one family. It is clear that God has truly blessed this ministry, evidenced by the way it grew into a separate non-profit corporation and expanded to an entire village on it's own campus, serving and blessing so many families. It is particularly empowering for women to gain their lives back and move into a successful future. Rainbow Village brings hope. It is a joy to behold the people who do this work and the people whose lives they touch.

I have had the honor of seeing first hand the difference that Rainbow Village has made in the life of many women and children. They truly are a blessing to metro-Atlanta. Nancy Yancy and her staff are top notch, very well trained, kind and compassionate people. Having visited many many shelters and group homes over the years I can tell you that Rainbow Village truly provides a warm and loving home feel to all that enter. The women and children that call it "Home" are able to live with pride and dignity because of the way Nancy has structured the programs and services. Highly recommend as a great organization to volunteer with or donate funds too.

I was deeply moved to hear a 16-year-old son proclaim that he believed his mother was the most courageous person in the world. He remembered the time when she and the kids slept in their car; he watched her do whatever it took to succeed in the Rainbow Village program; now he was honoring her graduation and their moving into a stable life-style. Rainbow Village had not only provided temporary housing for a homeless family but had also served to knit strong family ties.

I have the pleasure and honor of working with the Rainbow Village staff, volunteers, and residents. I previously volunteered and am now a consultant to the organization on technology, planning, and development. The Rainbow Village staff is among the most dedicated, expert, and focused teams that I have worked with. The miracles that take place in the lives of the residents reflects the passion and commitment to excellence of the staff, volunteers, board, and community. My experience with Rainbow Village has been rewarding, challenging, and humbling. I have no doubt that with the proper support, Rainbow Village will soon become a model for other organizations seeking to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence. If you have never experienced the joy and fulfillment of being a part of the Rainbow Village solution, you are missing out! I can't say enough good things about this amazing nonprofit.

My experience with Rainbow Village in Duluth, Georgia has been extraordinary. I volunteer 2 days per week in the "After School Program." I mainly help the kids with their homework assignments (like a tutor) and have also taken on "reading buddy" duties. I have been privileged to see each child expand their scholastic knowlege, be fully engaged in the learning process and develop a higher academic level of achievement. I have great hopes for each child and believe Rainbow Village is a unique, holistic program helping Mom's and their families toward life stability and brighter futures. -Margo K., Duluth, GA

I've had the honor of serving as the Operations Manager for Rainbow Village for about a year and a half. In all my professional experiences have I come across a staff of people who work harder to benefit the residents we work for. The term dedication does not seem to do justice to the amount of energy the staff puts in to the daily maintaining of such a high level of service delivery. Devotion is a closer approximation because I think it includes an element of love and honor that is rarely found in social services these days.

I have been blessed to be the CEO of Rainbow Village since 1993. I have witnessed more than 200 broken and hopeless families transition to lives of wholeness, security, and stability. Rainbow Village is a sacred place where God's love and mercy abound. I look forward to being a part of this incredible place each day. Nancy Yancey

My two daughters and I came to Rainbow Village after becoming homeless due to domestic violence. It was an answer to my prayers. Their program offered affordable housing, after-school care, and the love and support I needed after facing something that traumatic. With their encouragement, I was able to find enough discipline to work their program and save for a down payment on a house and also paid off my credit cards. They gave me a hand up, and I'm living my dream of being a home owner. It's a life-changing organization. They become your new family. Celia