Newland Communities has awarded HomeAid Atlanta $3,500 from the Newland New Initiatives Grant, which will support HomeAid Atlanta’s Essentials for Young Lives Drive. The grant was funded by charitable events held by Newland Communities throughout the country, including the annual Life is good® Pumpkin Festival in Flowery Branch, Ga. (taking place Oct. 25 at Sterling on the Lake).

HomeAid provides shelter to those who are temporarily homeless.  The organization has built housing for more than 80,000 men, women and children, and currently has 150 housing projects with more than 60 other projects in development.  Held during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, HomeAid’s Essentials for Young Lives Drive returns Nov. 12-19, 2008. In its seventh year, this annual event collects essential baby items such as diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and other items for homeless children living in Atlanta shelters.

“Many of our community events, like the Life is good Pumpkin Festival, are designed to benefit local families in need,” said Jennifer Landers, regional marketing director for Newland Communities.  “As a national community developer, we understand and support HomeAid’s mission, and we’re pleased to provide funding to ensure that the Essentials for Young Lives Drive continues to be a success.”

The Newland New Initiatives Grant was established to encourage HomeAid chapters to develop charitable community programs that can be recreated and implemented throughout the United States. The Atlanta chapter, based in Tucker, Ga., was one of four chapters to receive the grant. Currently, HomeAid Atlanta is creating an instructional kit for other chapters to implement their own Essentials for Young Lives Drive.  The kit will include planning timelines, marketing and public relations materials, and volunteer materials. 

The chapter was chosen to receive the grant by a panel consisting of three HomeAid executive directors, the HomeAid director of program development, the chief operating officer of the national office and a Newland representative.

Jennifer Folkers, development manager for HomeAid Atlanta, explained that with today’s financial challenges, there are even more people who need help.  “It is increasingly important, now more then ever, that we continue to provide valuable support to homeless service providers and the communities they serve,” she noted.
 

About HomeAid Atlanta
HomeAid Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working in partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, and is a local chapter of HomeAid, a leading national provider of transitional housing for the temporarily homeless. The organization’s mission is to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. The Atlanta chapter partners with existing homeless service agencies and expands their capacity to serve the homeless by building a new facility or renovating an existing facility. For more information, visit www.homeaidatlanta.org.

About Newland Communities
Newland Communities, the master plan developer behind Sterling on the Lake and Windermere in metro Atlanta, has been creating desirable, livable communities across the nation for nearly four decades.  With expertise in creating a special sense of community, Newland Communities brings to life the unique history, culture and traditions of the land they develop.  Their active and long-term approach to community creation and development ensures delivery on their vision while responsibly managing their partners’ investment.  Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Newland Communities is currently developing communities across the country in states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Minnesota and Maryland.  Information on Newland Communities can be found at www.newlandcommunities.com.