KloecknerCares: Volunteer Day at The Drake House

No matter where you live or work, there is a community in need beyond what you may immediately see or know about. One of the motivations for Kloeckner Metals’ KloecknerCares initiative is to promote care for our local communities and build relationships with organizations built to directly serve these needs.

This past August six corporate employees volunteered with The Drake House, a local organization that helps families when they fall on hard times.

About The Drake House

The Drake House has been providing private crisis housing for homeless mothers and children across the North Metro Atlanta since 2006. Every year, its private housing program manages two apartment buildings—The Drake House Apartments and The Drake Village—which houses up to 50 families and 100 children.

The Drake House Apartments allows for a rent-free stay of up to three months. Families can then graduate and move next door to The Drake Village where they can lease an apartment for up to two years, says Renae Fernandes, The Drake House Resource Coordinator.

Services Beyond Housing Assistance

In addition to housing assistance, the Drake Houses offers an onsite laundry facility, a food pantry, a computer lab/small library, job search assistance for the mothers, and an after-school program for its school-age tenants.

They host several annual fundraisers and raise money for The Drake House at The Drake Closet, a boutique thrift store that sells gently worn clothing, shoes, and accessories at prices ranging from $3 to $25.

What is KloecknerCares?

The KloecknerCares initiative launched in 2017. Each quarter a few events are organized and employees receive paid time off for their charitable service. Some previous KloecknerCares events include a visit to the Atlanta Humane Society, providing gifts with Angels Over Forsyth, clothing drives, blood drives, and food bank donations, among others.

Volunteer Day

Lakeisha Boyd, HR Generalist, Latoi Gilmore, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Shameca Kelley, HR Administrator, Tabatha Heard, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Tom Gauger, VP-Operations and Gene Evans, Director-Logistics all participated in the KloecknerCares volunteer day at The Drake House.

Together they helped The Drake House prepare for renovation on one of the 8-unit, Drake House Apartments. They moved and reorganized furniture, computer equipment, storage shelves, and bed and bath linens.

The Power of Community

The volunteer experience with The Drake House was a reminder of the power of community. Shameca Kelley feels that, “The Drake House is truly a Godsend.”

“Its private housing assistance is the type of program that restores hope and creates a sense of community while helping homeless mothers turn their situation around,” she says.

You can donate to help these mothers and children in need, and if you’re based in Georgia, please consider supporting The Drake Closet with clothing donations at any of its three locations—Roswell, GA, Sandy Springs, GA, and Alpharetta, GA.