Celebrating Black Non-Profits in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia is a city with a rich history and vibrant culture. The city is home to many amazing African American non-profits that are making an impact in the community. From providing food and shelter to assisting with job training, these non-profits are doing important work to help their neighbors. In this blog post, we will be highlighting some of the success stories of these organizations and how they are making a difference in Savannah.
The first Black-led nonprofit we'd like to highlight is Neighborhood Improvement Association. The Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) is a community development corporation established in 1996 to promote positive change in distressed communities by improving physical, economic, and social conditions.
This holistic view represents NIA’s “theory of change” as it relates to neighborhood transformation and community development. Their theory of change illuminates the notion that poor and distressed communities have intrinsic assets and values that can be built upon to eradicate conditions associated with poverty, unemployment, lack of skills, crime, drug abuse, and a sense of hopelessness.
One of NIA’s entry points to neighborhood transformation is a long-term housing development plan. They believe that home ownership is an important and invaluable contribution to wealth building and economic self-determination. NIA is also committed to the notion of asset building and human skill development.
Visit NIA at https://niacdc.org to learn more about their programs and services.
Next, we'd like to highlight the success story of Urban Hope Savannah. The vision of Urban Hope is to help bring change to the areas of Savannah that are under-resourced through its children, by giving them hope for a better future, through after-school and summer programs. A community can not prosper without the education and hope of its children.
The streets of Savannah can be dangerous places for an unattended child. Children seeking acceptance can easily be led astray; however, UHS believes that they can also be easily led into a life of love and success.
Urban Hope provides a secure and welcoming environment to over 180 children each year, striving to help them become the people God intended. Urban Hope looks forward to expansion and growth in order to reach more children in Savannah. They envision providing programs such as homework help, snacks, cultural and culinary arts, sports, STEM initiatives, and volunteer opportunities. UHS is confident that its children will become future leaders of the community.
Learn more about Urban Hope here.
Union Mission is another amazing nonprofit in Savannah, working to help individuals and families in need. UM provides emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health services, support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and employment and educational services to help individuals and families acquire the tools they need to lift themselves out of homelessness.
Since its founding in 1937, Union Mission has grown from a small soup kitchen into a multi-facility organization dedicated to providing assistance to the homeless population of the greater Savannah area. Union Mission strives to empower and coach people toward excellence with the goal of permanently eliminating their homelessness by encouraging personal growth.
Visit Union Mission at https://unionmission.org to learn more about their programs and services.
The last non-profit we're highlighting for Black History Month is Step Up Savannah. Step Up Savannah is a collaborative effort of many social service agencies and churches in the area that provides resources to help end poverty and promote self-sufficiency. Their mission is to create change by identifying community needs, engaging individuals and groups, connecting economic opportunities, and empowering people so they can reach their financial goals.
Step Up Savannah provides access to employment services, financial coaching, and asset-building programs such as budgeting skills and microenterprise development. They also collaborate with other agencies and organizations in the area to provide housing assistance, food pantries, health care clinics, crisis intervention, and more.
Visit Step Up Savannah at https://www.stepupsavannah.org/ to learn more about their mission, the services they offer, and read their success stories.
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the accomplishments and successes of African Americans both near and far. Are you doing your part to help build better futures for our communities?
Every day, organizations like these are empowering individuals and families in Savannah, as well as providing support services and asset-building opportunities to make sure that everyone has a chance at success. By joining forces with nonprofits like NIA, Urban Hope Savannah, Union Mission, Step Up Savannah, and Opportunity for Greatness, you can make a real difference in the lives of people in our community. Donate today and help build a brighter future for Savannah and all of Chatham County!
