Daybreak - Depaul USA in Macon, GA
Located in a 6,000 square foot former warehouse on the edge of the central business district in Macon, Georgia, the Daybreak Center provides hygiene, health, education, and job preparation for the homeless population in the area. At a March 28, 2011 community meeting, Macon, Georgia residents announced their intention to work with Depaul USA to develop a day/resource center for the homeless. This decision is the culmination of two months of discernment and study of local needs and existing services. The day/resource center helps clients improve their daily living skills and access community services. In early April, the Daughters of Charity of the Southeast Province announced a $7,000 grant to Depaul USA. The center is located at 174 Walnut Street Macon, Georgia 31201.
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What is Daybreak?
Daybreak is a day resource center, not an overnight shelter, that provides Macon’s homeless population with critical services in one place – the goal is to help homeless people move towards housing stability and lives of greater dignity. Daybreak offers these services:
- Showers
- Laundry
- Health care
- Education
- Rest and resources
- Saint Vincent DePaul Society
- Communications access via internet and telephones
- Counseling and referral to other Human Service agencies here in Macon
- Job connection via Goodwill
- Free Medical Clinic via Georgia College
Facts on Macon's Homeless Population
Macon has an estimated 300 to 500 homeless people. The city has a number of effective programs working with the homeless population. However, surveys of homeless individuals and service providers revealed gaps in programming that Daybreak’s services— Job Connection, Communications, and Education--- are intended to fill. Daybreak seeks to avoid the duplication of services and will not offer services such as meals, clothing, mailboxes, or identification cards that other programs provide. 168 people filled out a survey distributed to Macon's homeless. According to the results, people who are homeless in Macon have been living here for an average of 20 years. Other studies show once a person becomes homeless, they remain homeless for six to 12 months on average. The study found that 70 percent of Macon's homeless have been living in the city for more than three years.
Depaul USA recently received this poem from, Chester, a frequent guest of Daybreak.
Not sure how many Sundays I've been to Daybreak,But I'll be back in the future no matter what it takes,
To fellowship and mingle are memories to totally cherish,
And learning how to give to others oh so precious,
Somewhere back in time God put the idea in someone's head,
Maybe someday at Daybreak two people will be wed,
Though special things happen when the doors are open,
May that never stop I'm praying wishin and hoping,
Then there's the founders and the volunteers galore,
They deserve all God's blessings and so very much more,
Recognized by the city and dedicated to the mission,
They bring reality to those with dim vision,
This poem is a tribute to the project as a whole,
No doubt in my mind they will reach their goal,
Everyone at Daybreak openly greets anyone that's new,
So with this poem I'm giving sincere credit where it's due,
And in closing I'd like to offer this special short prayer,
God help us all so that we can continue to care,
And thank you Lord, Daybreak is pure positive proof,
That you are the Almighty and that is the truth.
Chester L. Albert
