The Athens Homeless Coalition names its first executive director: the job goes to Michael Bien. He’ll head the Coalition that will receive more than $1 million in American Rescue Plan funding as allocated by Athens-Clarke County Commissioners.
From Cole Shackleford…
The Athens Homeless Coalition is excited to announce Michael Bien, MPH, as its first Executive Director. Michael will be crucial in helping coordinate Athens’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
The Athens Homeless Coalition is supported by $1.08 million in ARPA funds from the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County. These funds are allocated based on the Strategic Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness and will be utilized over the course of the next 2.5 years. Michael has lived in Georgia most of his life, working in Atlanta and Augusta before moving to Athens for graduate school. After graduating with his Masters in Public Health, he worked for Advantage Behavioral Health, where he started the street outreach program. Following that, Michael worked for the CDC Foundation, specializing in the systemic factors and social determinants that affect health and homelessness.
One of Michael’s immediate priorities is to work with the AHC Board to set ambitious, measurable, and time-bound goals for the Coalition.
Michael shares his comments on the commitment of the organization: “We are committed to better understanding the scale and scope of homelessness in Athens, advocating for unhoused individuals and families, and supporting our amazing service providers.”
Laura Patterson, vice chair of the AHC board shares her excitement: “Even more than his professional experience, his compassion, humility, curiosity, and dedication shine through when you meet him. He knows the importance of partnerships to address the big issues that intersect in Athens and in the lives of so many homeless Athenians. We’re excited as a board to support the work he leads in this community.”
A meet-and-greet for the community to welcome Michael to this role will be held on June 20, from 3-5 p.m. at Hendershot’s. The public is invited. About the Athens Homeless Coalition The Athens Homeless Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to coordinating Athens’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. To learn more and find out how you can be a part of ending homelessness in Athens, visit athenshc.org or check out our social media.
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