Ann Connor, clinical assistant professor at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, is living Atlanta's version of that story. Designed as an alternative to traditional soup kitchens, this nonprofit diner, located on Edgewood Avenue in downtown Atlanta, offers more than just a meal. Their goal was to build relationships while helping people to change their lives, by recovering from addictions or taking steps toward getting a job.
Candidates meet with a staff member who assesses the individual's willingness to change.
The key, according to Connor, is to try not to solve everything in one day. There's not really a place in town to talk to a mental-health professional over lunch. It's different than sitting in their office with them giving you direction about your life. A year into the project, Connor and Short realized many guests needed further assistance with recovery efforts. They acquired the building next door and converted it into a recovery center.