With a mission to bring Help, Hope, Housing, and Healing to families experiencing homelessness for the last 33 years, the team behind Rainbow Village understands that people sometimes need a hand up to overcome obstacles or meet milestones in their individual journeys to self- sufficiency. To that end, in 2020, the Metro Atlanta nonprofit debuted a groundbreaking concept – microgrant awards for which residents and alumni of the transformational program could apply. Throughout the year, its “Better Together” Women’s Giving Circle – made up of a mix of caring individuals, faith partners, and community and corporate leaders – raises funds for families in need that are awarded at a Microgrant Award Ceremony each December. Marking the 5 th Annual Microgrant Awards, this year’s event was held on December 10 at 12 Stone Sugarloaf – resulting in an award total of $25,910.32 to benefit 28 households.

“This is my favorite event of the whole year,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “I get to channel my inner Oprah and give away money to families who not only need it but deeply, deeply appreciate it. What happens here is a blessing to everyone involved, and there is rarely a dry eye in the room. I’m amazed by how this event has grown year after year. We hosted our first event in 2020 via Zoom with an attendance of 15 people. This year, our attendees neared 100. Over the last five years, through the generosity of our Women’s Giving Circle, we have gifted a total of $102,604.32 to families in need.”

Microgrant awards are the result of fundraising efforts by the Women’s Giving Circle, including memberships, sponsorships, grants, donations, and more. At the 5 th Annual Microgrant Awards Ceremony, awards were given in the following categories:

• Achieving financial stability by eliminating or reducing debt

• Achieving family stability through assistance with vehicle repairs

• Bonus for achieving a 700+ credit score

• Bonus for residents who have become homeowners

• Assistance for the next generation by paying high school senior fees

• Rental assistance for a Rainbow Village alum who had incurred an emergency medical expense to prevent them from falling behind on rent

• Rental assistance for Rainbow Village alum who was diagnosed with breast cancer while in the program and recently required an emergency hysterectomy to prevent them from falling behind on rent

Through its partnership with Catholic Charities, Rainbow Village was able to assist six additional families with rent in the amount of $10,000 – including the two residents who had incurred medical emergencies.

The highest honor of the evening – the Barbara Howard High Achiever Award – recognized Shushana, a single mom of three. After moving from Florida to Georgia in search of a better life in 2021, she fell on hard times and had nowhere to go. She found her way to Rainbow Village in 2023 and was accepted into the program. She was working full time at the time of move-in and set the following goals with her Success Coach: to increase her income and credit score, continue her education, obtain permanent housing, and master budgeting. In just a little over a year, she witnessed a 134-point jump in her credit score – making her a member of the 700+ club, received a promotion and significant salary increase at her job, enrolled in Gwinnett Tech to pursue a degree in Psychology, and, in October 2024, she purchased a home. 

“Between loans and credit cards, families accumulate debt just to take care of everyday needs like gas and groceries, sometimes to ensure that they have a place to sleep for a night or two at a local hotel,” added Conner. “Many are hardworking, some with two jobs, managing their budget and doing all the things everyone tells them to do, and yet they still find that the struggle is real. Our microgrants are never viewed as a handout but as a hand-up. These microgrants may be used to repair a car that allows a parent to show up to work every day, pay off the last of their credit cards so they can put more in their savings account each month instead of paying off debt, pay tuition at a local college, or to gain a certification that will help their career take off. It’s hard work to get back on your feet after suffering the trauma of homelessness, so this is a night when we can truly celebrate our residents’ dedication to their individual journeys to self-sufficiency.” Conner extended her gratitude to her nonprofit’s 2024 Presenting Sponsor, Northside Hospital, as well as the event’s Aspire Sponsors at VyStar Credit Union - Peachtree Corners and the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She also thanked 12Stonee Church for providing the venue and Steven Dewberry of SRD Photography for serving as the Photography Sponsor. Anyone interested in learning more about the Rainbow Village Women’s Giving Circle is encouraged to visit https://rainbowvillage.org/womens giving-circle/. For more ways to get involved with the Duluth-based nonprofit or make a donation, visit
www.RainbowVillage.org.