In March 2004, a group of volunteers enrolled in the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Leadership program undertook the challenge of creating an emergency housing facility for the growing numbers of homeless mothers with children in the North Fulton community. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of The Drake House. The Drake House is named after Mary Drake, a Roswell native who helped establish North Fulton Community Charities.

Significantly, this initiative grew from efforts of leaders of the business community in North Fulton. Traditionally, outreach and support to the less fortunate comes from the faith-based community. As a consequence, The Drake House possesses a special history of commitment from community business and civic leaders. In the Summer/Fall of 2004, volunteers from The Drake House identified a 16-unit apartment complex in Roswell that had fallen in to disrepair.  The complex needed extensive renovation to prevent the City of Roswell from issuing a demolition order on the property. After extensive negotiations with the owner, The Drake House signed intent to purchase the property. However, because The Drake House was a newly formed organization with out a financial history or collateral, lending institutions were reluctant to approve a mortgage for the organization.

In a most visible form of true grass roots voluntarism and support for the organization, four independent North Fulton families pledged their personal financial resources and formed a limited liability company (Humanity House, LLC) and guaranteed a bank loan of $702,000 so that The Drake House could begin renovations and eventually open its doors to women and children in need. The Drake House leases the property at 10525 Clara Drive from Humanity House, LLC for the cost of the interest only mortgage. The lease with Humanity House will remain valid until such time that The Drake House can raise the capital funds necessary to purchase (for the original selling price) the Clara Drive apartments.

The Drake House is a crisis residential assessment center for homeless women and children in North Fulton.  We provide immediate residential housing, combined with an empowerment program designed to provide stability for the children and assist the family in working toward housing self sufficiency.

The Drake House Residential Assessment Center addresses a long-standing need for emergency housing for women and children in the north Fulton community. We offer residential housing and in-depth assessments to approximately 40-50 families a year.  Each family stays approximately 90 days. The target population is single mothers with minor children. These mothers may be unemployed or underemployed and lack sufficient income to meet all the expenses of life in the North Fulton community.

Women and children entering The Drake House are offered a variety of support services to empower and educate them and move them towards self-sufficiency. Residents participate in a goal setting process and an empowerment plan. Initial goals include addressing medical needs of the mother and the children, and the educational needs of the children. Onsite life skills classes are conducted every Monday evening on topics such as job readiness, personal finances, parenting skills, and health and wellness. An advocacy program provides encouragement, motivation, and support during the family's stay.

Our goal is to create an environment that allows homeless families to:

• Be included in North Fulton community life
• Enjoy a stabilized, improved quality of life
• Make increasingly responsible choices
• Exert greater control over their life circumstances
• Develop and exercise their competencies and talents
• Experience personal security and self-respect