"About Us: Who We Are." Bigger Vision of Athens, the Community Winter Shelter. Serving the Homeless in Athens since 1998. St. James United Methodist Church. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <http://www.biggervisionathens.org/>.
I had the opportunity to interview the leader of this organization, Barbara Anderson, and participate in volunteering and getting to know the homeless people that attend each day. The Bigger Vision of Athens helps homeless people get back on their feet and overcome this lifestyle. It provides them with a place to sleep each night on a first-come, first-served basis during the winter. The homeless are served a meal and given a sleeping matt and blanket. I briefly talk about this in my documentary.
Baker, Dustin. "Athens, Georgia Takes Top Spot in Poverty: Athens Area Habitat for Humanity Fights for Change." Georgia Politico. 14 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. <http://gapolitico.com/?p=17317>.
This article explores the impact of Athens- Clarke County as having the highest rate of poverty in counties with a population of more than 100,000 across the United States. As a result, the article suggests that affordable housing can make a difference when Homeless Shelters are too crowded. Additionally, the article gives statistics and data based on research from the community and interviews with Habitat for Humanity.
Blake Aued. "Count of Homeless Finds 407 || OnlineAthens.com." Editorial. Athens Banner- Herald [Athens] 29 Mar. 2011. Online Athens | Athens Banner-Herald | Athens, Ga. Web. 3 Apr. 2011. <http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/032911/new_806930613.shtml>.
This article informs the community about how social workers count the homeless population in Athens. Athens-Clarke Community Development Specialist Evan Mills organized the annual count that has continued since 2001. The number has declined in comparison to past years, however homeless people are more spread out and harder to find now. I also used a statistics derived from 330 people that responded to a survey to illustrate the diversity of homeless people.
Johnson, Joe. "Court Finds Rising Number of Homeless." Athens Banner- Herald 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/012811/new_777298624.shtml>.
The article "Court Finds Rising Number of Homeless," reveals the startling increase of homeless people in the Athens-Clarke County community. The overflow of homeless people is a result of the lack of jobs available. Homeless shelters are filling to capacity, and the Human Economic Development Department will calculate data from homeless people and apply for grant money to help fund seven county programs.
Johnson, Joe. "Homelessness is Dangerous, Especially for Women." Athens Banner- Herald 20 Feb. 2011: A1+. Print
The article “Homelessness is Dangerous, Especially for Women,” explains the risks women face while living on the streets. Two women, Rayeanna Queen and Ruby Smith are victims of this horrible reality, and the same homeless man has raped them both. The article not only describes the tragic struggle of these two women, but it also gives a psychologist’s perspective of why homeless women are in more danger than most. The psychologist reflects that homeless women are often considered not as credible because of the lifestyle they live. This article initially inspired me to explore this topic for my documentary. I also interviewed Rayeanna Queen as seen in the film. I also used a picture of them from this newspaper article.
Miscellaneous pictures of downtown Athens, Athens, Georgia. Personal photograph by author. 2011.
Sia. "Breathe Me." Rec. 3 Feb. 2004. Colour the Small One. Astralwerks, 2005. CD.
Walter, Katelyn. Homeless Love. 2011. Photograph. Atlanta, Georgia.
Special thanks to all participants:
Barbara Anderson
Mr. Pickren
Ron
Rayeanne
Lizzie May
Thomas
Michael McPherson
Melinda McPherson
Dorthy
Abbey
Shivum
Patrick
Travis
Thank you to those who helped me edit:
Peachmac team- Ryan and Jonathan
Brittany
Graham
Special thanks to all participants:
Barbara Anderson
Mr. Pickren
Ron
Rayeanne
Lizzie May
Thomas
Michael McPherson
Melinda McPherson
Dorthy
Abbey
Shivum
Patrick
Travis
Thank you to those who helped me edit:
Peachmac team- Ryan and Jonathan
Brittany
Graham
