Need Help?
You don't have to face the storms alone.
The Ark is here with support that meets both the urgency of today and your hopes for tomorrow. Please read and apply below.
HOW THE ASSISTANCE PROCESS WORKS
Step ONE: Understanding we are a loss based agency, we will need to be able to document and verify you have had a recent and unexpected loss of income within the last two to three months. Please read "how we help" and "eligibility" information below.
Step TWO: Fill out the application below if you have had a recent and unexpected loss of income and have read the “how we help” and “eligibility” section below. In the application you will be guided to select your specific loss of income or unexpected expense, please pay attention closely to your selections as your selections will lead you to your next steps for your specific situation.
Step THREE: You will be given a list of documentation, to document your loss of income, at the end of the application. Please take a picture, screenshot, or write down this list. You will need to collect ALL documents and once you have done so, you can call us to schedule an appointment.
HOW WE HELP
Each year, The Ark provides emergency rent and utility assistance to hundreds of individuals who are experiencing a recent and unexpected loss of income. Whether you are out of work due to medical reasons, laid off from your job, or have other unforeseen but necessary expenses, we are here to provide guidance and resources, including emergency financial assistance. The Ark serves Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties.
ELIGIBILITY
The Ark may help with rent, utilities and mortgage when a recent loss of income occurred through no fault of the neighbor within the last 90 days – this typically includes job lay off, reduction in hours at work, being out of work for illness or injury and unexpected necessary expenses due to a home or car repairs, fire, flood, and/or unexpected medical expenses.​​
In order to receive financial assistance, eligible neighbors are required to document the loss of income.
At this time, The Ark can not assist with the following: phone/cable/internet bill, auto insurance, bills of someone not living in the home, bills in the name of a minor child, deposits for housing or utilities, shelter or hotel vouchers. Please see our resource list for agencies who may be able to meet those needs.
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Please fill out the application linked below and read the instructions carefully.
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Assistance is by appointment only. No walk in appointments are available at this time.
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Other Services Offered at The Ark:
For a full list of our Programs, click here
Car Repair Program
The Ark provides critical car repair assistance to help individuals maintain reliable transportation for employment or consistent medical care.
NOAH Program
The NOAH program is an Elderly Assistance Program that provides emergency assistance to neighbors 65 and older and living on a fixed income that falls within the income levels for families & individuals at 125% of federal poverty guidelines. This program is limited to Clarke County residence one time per year.
Please call for more information.
Common Wealth Athens
The Ark's Common Wealth Athens program provides financial education/planning services along with a micro-lending loan program. For more information, click here.
Contact Us
Address
640 A Barber Street
Athens, GA 30601
Contact
706-548-8155
Hours
Mon - Fri
9:00 am – 12:30 pm
The Ark follows Clarke County School District weather closure procedures. The Ark also follows all Georgia State holidays.
Community Resources
Area Resources for Rent/Utility Assistance
Action, Inc. – 248 North Avenue, 706 – 227-7969 https://actionathens.org/
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DFCS – Department of Family and Children’s Services – 284 North Avenue. (706) 227-7000 https://dfcs.georgia.gov/
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Ebenezer Baptist Church, West – 883 Reese Street. (706) 543-9644 https://ebcw.org/
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Salvation Army – 484 Hawthorne, 543-5350 https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/georgia
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St. Joseph Charities –535 Hawthorne Avenue - 706-850-7777 https://www.stjosephcharitiesathens.com/
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Area Resources for Housing
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Athens Area Homeless Shelter - 620 Barber Street Athens, GA 30601, (706) 354-0423 https://www.helpathenshomeless.org/
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Advantage Behavioral Health Clinic- 240 Mitchell Bridge Rd, Athens, GA 30606, 706-389-6789 https://advantagebhs.org/
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Athens Land Trust- 685 N Pope St, Athens, GA 30601, 706-613-0122 https://athenslandtrust.org/
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Family Promise- 205 Bray St Building 100, Athens, GA 30601, 706-425-1881 https://www.familypromiseathens.org/
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Project Safe- 706-425-8863 https://www.project-safe.org/
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Area Resources for Food
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Food Bank of Northeast Georgia- 890 Newton Bridge Rd, Athens, GA 30607, 706-354-8191 https://foodbanknega.org/
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For all other Area Resources please dial 211 or visit https://www.unitedwaynega.org/impact/211-2/