Our Mission
Building on the tradition of cooperation, The Ark serves as an extension of the religious communities of the Athens/Clarke County area by responding to our neighbors who need our material and personal support.
Our Vision
It is our vision to provide help, hope, understanding, and advocacy for our neighbors in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency and stability.
Emergency Rent & Utilities Assistance: The Ark assists neighbors with rent/mortgage and or electric/gas/water bills. Assistance is provided to neighbors who, for reasons beyond their control, have suffered a verifiable loss or reduction in income or have experienced a necessary but unexpected expense (car repair, home repair, or medical expense) in the last 90 days. The Ark serves Clarke, Madison, Oglethorpe and Oconee counties.
Elderly Assistance Program (NOAH): We provide emergency assistance to neighbors 65 and older and living on a fixed income. This program is limited to Clarke County residence one time per year.
Transportation Assistance: The Ark provides critical car repair assistance to help individuals maintain reliable transportation for employment or consistent medical care. Additionally, when available, we offer transportation support through gas vouchers for out-of-town medical appointments, job interviews, or individuals starting new jobs.
Food Bank Referrals: The Ark is located in the same building as the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank and writes referrals for neighbors to receive food. By doing this, The Ark helps our neighbors stretch their monthly food budget.The Ark is require to follow the Food Bank policies for writing referrals. For more information on Food Bank policies, please contact the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank.
Financial Education & Lending: Common Wealth Athens (CWA) provides neighbors with a longer-term, more holistic solution to financial hardship. By partnering with First American Bank & Trust, CWA offers financial services that allow our low-income neighbors to break out of the cycle of poverty. Services include financial literacy and budget education, free checking and savings account, coupled with low-interest micro-loans to refinance predatory debt.
Our Programs
Executive Director
Lucy Hudgens
Lucy has served as Executive Director of The Ark since 2010, dedicating her career to strengthening and supporting her community. A graduate of Presbyterian College, she brings expertise in nonprofit leadership, collaboration, and advocacy. Lucy is driven by a deep commitment to public service and believes meaningful change happens when people work together. Her mission is to ensure The Ark remains a steadfast pillar of support while creating a lasting, positive impact for every neighbor it serves.
Financial Education
Stephanie Cockfield
Stephanie Cockfield is the Ark's Financial Education Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Family Financial Planning from UGA and has been providing financial planning services to low-income families in Athens-Clarke County and surrounding counties for over 12 years.
Stephanie first came to the Ark as a volunteer offering one-on-one budget counseling to neighbors as they came in for assistance. It was then that she began to notice the lack of financial education resources available for families living at or below the poverty level, so she decided to create her own curriculum designed specifically to educate, elevate, and empower low-income families.
Program Coordinator
Ashley Stewart
Ashley brings a dynamic background in sales, marketing, and events to her role as Program Coordinator at The Ark. Having spent time in the private sector, she now channels that expertise into her true passion: serving the low-income community. For Ashley, the greatest joy of working at The Ark is the opportunity to use her skills to raise awareness and vital funds for a meaningful cause, making a direct impact on the lives of her neighbors.
The Ark's Executive Board : 2024-2025
Ray Caldwell- President
Martin Webb - Vice President
Paul Wilson - Treasurer
Melinda Raser- Secretary
Carol Norstedt
Carter Vest
Joe Goetz
Marco Messori
Chris Griner
Chris Conway
Julie Thompson
Faith Partners
Alps Road Presbyterian Church
Athens Church
Athens First United Methodist Church
Athens Seventh Day Adventist
Central Presbyterian Church
Chapelwood United Methodist
Christus Victor Lutheran Church
Church of the Nations
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Crossroads Church
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
First Baptist Church
First Christian Church of Athens
First Pentecostal Church
First Presbyterian Church
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Life Church of Athens
Milledge Avenue Baptist Church
Oconee Street United Methodist Church
Sarepta Baptist Association
St. Gregory the Great Episcopal
Saint Stephens Anglican Church
St. Thomas Anglican Church
Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Trinity Lutheran Church
Tuckston United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Community Partners
Want to Partner with The Ark?
Please fill out the form below and someone from our team will be in touch with you soon! *If you are looking for financial assistance please click here.
