The City of Atlanta announced today that Cathryn Ferrigno Marchman has been named the Executive Director of Partners for H.O.M.E., a new 501(c)3 organization which provides leadership in the planning and implementation of community strategies and resources to prevent and end homelessness in Atlanta.

Partners for H.O.M.E. will serve as the support vehicle for the Atlanta Continuum of Care, which brings together local providers to enable a comprehensive approach that, executed effectively, will lead to systemic change in addressing the issues of Atlanta’s most vulnerable population. Specifically, Partners for H.O.M.E. will work to secure private and public funds for programs, align service providers to federal policy priorities and coordinate homelessness efforts across the community. Former City of Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Peter Aman serves as Chairman of the Board.

“I am excited to announce Cathryn Ferrigno Marchman will serve as the first executive director of Partners for H.O.M.E.,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Cathryn and I are united in our shared vision and commitment to ending and preventing homeless in the City of Atlanta. With her leadership and Peter Aman’s guidance, Partners for H.O.M.E. will build on the success my Administration has had in housing homeless veterans and will utilize the flexibility of a public-private partnership to meet our ambitious but necessary goals.”

“I am thrilled to welcome such an accomplished, capable and passionate leader to help fulfill the mission of Partners for H.O.M.E. by developing and implementing effective strategies to prevent and end homelessness,” said Aman. “After completing a national search for a top-notch executive, led by Ann Cramer, we found the right leader for this critical work right here in Atlanta. Cathryn brings not only a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new position, but also a deep understanding of the complex socio-economic and mental health challenges and opportunities in our city underlying the issue of homelessness.”

Cathryn Ferrigno Marchman has extensive experience as a licensed clinical social worker providing direct services to individuals in need. Marchman most recently served as the Legal, Policy and Compliance Officer for Saint Joseph’s Health System in Atlanta. Concurrent to this role, she was the Behavioral Health Coordinator for Mercy Care, Inc., and prior to these roles, served as the Program Director for City of Refuge. Ms. Marchman graduated from the Georgia State University School of Law in 2008, Hunter College School of Social Work in 2001 and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2012. She will begin work with PFH on October 12, 2015.

Partners for H.O.M.E. will initially operate out of Atlanta City Hall. The organization will seek to become a designated fiscal agent by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the process can take up to five years.