Site Mission:

Decatur Cooperative Ministry alleviates and prevents homelessness while affirming the dignity of each family.

About the Site:

Criminal Background Check - Required

Founded in 1969, DCM is a faith-based cooperative providing a continuum of services for homeless and at risk families to enable them to become self-sufficient.

Hagar’s House offers 30 to 90 days of short-term emergency housing and supportive services for homeless mothers and their children. In addition to two meals per day, MARTA fares, and all daily necessities, guests at Hagar’s House participate in individualized counseling (including housing and employment counseling), weekly support groups, case management, computer training (if desired), and a variety of enrichment activities. The program strives to move at least 60% of residents into more stable, longer-term housing within 90 days of arrival at Hagar’s House.

Project Take Charge is a homelessness prevention program offering emergency financial assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities and food. A financial education program, which includes individualized budget counseling as well as emotional support, is a crucial program component. In 2009, Project Take Charge is starting a food cooperative to provide a permanent source of supplemental food to low-income households in DeKalb.

Students are placed primarily in our Project Take Charge and Hagar’s House programs. Students at Project Take Charge help with phone screening, in-person interviewing, financial counseling, and seeking donations for our food pantry. Students might, if interested, also facilitate a series of financial management sessions or become involved in the establishment of the new food cooperative. Students at Hagar’s House serve as mentors/chaplains to families, locate community resources, assist with support groups, plan and lead activities with the children, supervise computer center sessions, and help with special field trips as possible. There are limited opportunities to serve as a mentor to children and youth living in the Family Transitional Housing program. Additionally, some students may have the opportunity to assist in planning or leading one of DCM’s community worship services, generally held on Palm Sunday and on Thanksgiving Day.

In all placements, we prefer that students work at least two consecutive hours per day. Students are often placed in more than one program per semester as a way to provide a variety of experiences. Weeknight and evening hours are most frequently available at Hagar’s House. Project Take Charge has hours available for students on Monday, noon – 5:00 p.m., and Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A Student's Perspective:

Steven-Michael says:

"Though other students moved programs, I worked exlusively at the emergency shelter Hagar's House. My main task was to develop activities for “Family Fun Night” on Friday evenings; however, I also provided child-care around dinnertime and during the mother’s Friday night chores.

When I started at Hagar’s House, I did not have a clearly defined role. It was not until after the first half of the semester that I was able to find my place at the shelter. The shelter is a constantly shifting situation, so it takes a while to learn how the shelter operates, learn how to interact with the guests, and learn how one best fits into that environment. While other sites have clearly demarcated roles for Con Ed students, Con Ed students at Hagar’s House have to chisel out their own roles. There are countless areas in which students can contribute, so it is only a matter of finding the best fit for each student.

Practically speaking, DCM is a flexible and convenient site. It is only a short drive to downtown Decatur. While I had weekly hours, the shelter also offered extra opportunities to earn hours if they were needed. DCM also has several ministries, so it offers several sites that appeal to a broad range of student interests. Whether one is interested in working with families, individuals, finances, or practicing hospitality, there is an aspect of DCM that can appeal to almost any Con Ed student’s interests."