By Kala Farrare, LCSW-C, LCSW, Sr. Director of Clinical Operations
At Hope Atlanta, we are building a behavioral health program rooted in the realities of homelessness, where safety, stability, and trust must come first. Traditional outpatient models assume a baseline of security. But for someone living on the streets or in survival mode, behavioral health needs are often overshadowed by more urgent concerns: Where will I sleep tonight? When will I eat next? Who will see me as human?
At Hope Atlanta, trauma-informed care is not a stand-alone intervention, it is a foundational framework that shapes every element of our behavioral health program for individuals experiencing homelessness. Recognizing the pervasive impact of trauma, we intentionally embed trauma-informed principles throughout our organizational culture, service delivery, and client engagement strategies.
Meeting People Where They Are—Literally
Unlike conventional behavioral health systems that operate from clinics or offices, our program begins with outreach. We take services to the places where clients already are—whether that’s an encampment, a housing program like The Melody, or a drop-in center.
We intentionally embed behavioral health services into housing programs—not as separate or stigmatized offerings, but as natural extensions of the support we provide. Sometimes it’s a quick hallway chat. Other times it’s a full therapy session. The key is flexibility and trust. We recognize the lasting impact of trauma and prioritize building trust through consistent, respectful, and compassionate care. This approach shapes every interaction and informs all clinical and programmatic decisions.
We operate trauma-informed care through the following core strategies at every stage of the client journey:
- Physical and emotional safety,
- Cultural competency & humility,
- Rapport building,
- Self-determination and empowerment,
- Staff wellness and support.
Housing as the Foundation for Mental Health
We embrace a “Housing First” model, where housing stabilization is not contingent upon treatment compliance or sobriety. Permanent supportive housing is the cornerstone of mental health stabilization for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. At The Melody, stable housing offers more than just a roof—it provides safety, consistency, and dignity, all of which are essential for healing. When a person no longer has to worry about where they’ll sleep or how they’ll survive each day, they can begin to focus on their health, relationships, and long-term goals. Clients can engage at their own pace, with staff they know and trust, often without even realizing they’re participating in formal mental health services. This normalization and integration reduces stigma and increases uptake.
Housing creates conditions in which behavioral health care can take root. It allows for regular contact with providers, better medication adherence, improved sleep and nutrition, and a sense of ownership over one’s life. In short, housing is health care, and at The Melody, it’s where healing begins. Rather than requiring formal clinical settings or immediate disclosures, we offer support through relationship-based engagement. This includes informal check-ins, peer support, community activities, and co-located services that are easy to access without pressure or labels.
Lived Experience Is a Job Qualification
Certified Peer Support Specialists are essential to our care model. These are individuals with lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, or substance use—now trained to support others walking similar paths.
Peers offer what clinicians sometimes can’t: instant credibility and connection. Their presence signals that recovery is possible and that clients are not alone. They help lower barriers, build trust, and serve as bridges between clinical services and real-life resilience. Many of the individuals we serve have endured deep trauma, systemic failures, and institutional mistrust. Peers who have walked similar paths can engage with clients in a way that feels safe, relatable, and empowering.
Their presence enhances the entire care team by providing first-hand understanding of the complexities of homelessness, mental health, and substance use—ensuring that our services remain grounded, person-centered, and truly responsive to the needs of our clients.
Gloria Woodard, Marta Hope Case Manager, is a Certified Peer Specialist and sees the impact of her work every day, “When someone says, ‘You don’t know what I’m going through,’ I tell them—I do know. I’ve been there. I’m a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I’ve battled addiction. I’ve experienced homelessness. I’ve been incarcerated. That’s what opens the door. They stop, they look, and they say, ‘Okay—what do you have for me?’ That connection is everything.”
Gloria added, “When they realize you’ve walked in their shoes, they open up like a book. This work is about dignity. It’s about knowing their names, remembering their stories, and helping them believe a better life is possible. I’ve had people tell me, ‘I want to get where Ms. Gloria is.’ That’s what lived experience can do—it gives people hope they can make it, too.”
Client Story: A Path Forward at The Melody
One of our residents, a man in his 50s, had spent years living on the streets. A mix of chronic illness, trauma, and substance use left him disengaged from services and deeply mistrustful of systems. But something changed when he moved into The Melody, one of Hope Atlanta’s permanent supportive housing sites.
With the consistency of a private room, on-site case managers, and access to peer support, he slowly began to rebuild. The first milestone? Acquiring a state ID—something that had eluded him for over a decade. That one document unlocked Social Security benefits and marked a turning point in his life. Today, he attends community events, chats regularly with staff, and is even exploring part-time work. His journey is a testament to what’s possible when housing and healing go hand in hand.
The Future We’re Building
Hope Atlanta is not just adding a behavioral health department—we’re reimagining what it means to care for people who have been left behind. By centering housing, humanity, and hope, we’re creating a model that others can follow and, most importantly, that clients can trust.
Because when the first step is housing, everything else becomes possible.
