Oliver Maner, one of Savannah’s most prestigious law firms, will again partner with other local law firms to raise awareness and collect supplies for Parker’s House at Union Mission during National Homelessness Awareness Month. Parker’s House is Savannah and Coastal Georgia’s only facility dedicated to providing emergency housing and comprehensive supportive services for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness. This is the third consecutive year Oliver Maner has led this effort.

The donation drive runs throughout November with a challenge from Oliver Maner to the Savannah-area legal community — and the public at large — to join their drive to spread the word, increase donations, and collect essential items for the women at Parker’s House. 

“So many of us are fortunate that we don’t think twice about soap or socks, but to women in crisis facing homelessness, it’s yet another hurdle in the way of a stable and fulfilling life. Everyone deserves that, so we are happy to help and grateful for the response from the Savannah community,” said Oliver Maner associate Amelia Stevens.

Oliver Maner has set up an Amazon registry to make donating more convenient.

The items needed most this year include:

·      Personal care items (toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant)

·      Bedding (new pillows, sheets)

·      Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels)

·      Cleaning supplies (Swiffer products, Lysol cleaners, disinfectant wipes) 

·      Undergarments (socks, undershirts) 

·      Laundry supplies (detergent pods, dryer sheets) 

Additionally, these items can be dropped off at the Oliver Maner office, 218 W. State St., during business hours. The firm will accept donations at their office through Thursday, Nov. 30. Through the Emergency Housing Programs, Union Mission provides clients with individualized case management and access to an array of comprehensive supportive services that work to address clients’ medical, mental health, transportation and employment needs in order to help them permanently end their homelessness.

Union Mission’s Parker’s House partners with women to foster personal, economic, and housing stability by providing 90 days of emergency housing with supportive services for up to 32 women at a time. The women served at Parker’s House are the face of resilience and hope. Since opening on September 6, 2022, Parker’s House has achieved the following:

·       222 women served, more than double initial projections

·       60% employed at entry

·       136 obtained safe and stable housing

·       148 increased income through employment and benefits

·       50% engaged in Mental Health Counseling Services

·       19,980 meals provided

Union Mission provides basic human needs for the residents, including food, clothing, transportation, access to mental healthcare, employment support and other services. The goal of Parker’s House is to help residents maintain stable housing and reemerge as independent members of the community.

Parker’s House is located at 125 Fahm St., Savannah, in the former JC Lewis Healthcare building. The 10,590-square-foot renovated facility offers emergency housing, on-site Case Managers, Resident Assistants, and support services for up to 32 women for as long as 90 days.

Savannah-Chatham County has the second-highest rate of homelessness in Georgia. According to the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless 2023 HUD PIT Survey, on any given night, more than 180 women in Chatham County are experiencing homelessness.

ABOUT UNION MISSION

Union Mission has cared for Savannah’s homeless community for 85 years, offering emergency, transitional and permanent housing solutions to those in need. Union Mission also collaborates with the community’s network of service providers to make comprehensive, wrap-around supportive services, such as mental health counseling and culinary arts job training, available to all homeless persons in the community. The mission of Union Mission is to partner with people to end their homelessness. For more information, call (912) 238-2777 or visit www.unionmission.org.