Purpose:
Trinity Community Ministries (TCM) exists to provide food, clothing, shelter and
counseling to the hungry and homeless in our community. TCM also helps to
break down barriers between all segments of society by providing a method and
opportunity for churches, individuals, and other organizations to participate in
this mission and to understand the need for this outreach ministry. Today, Trinity
Community Ministries continues to provide ministries to homeless persons
through three programs: Trinity Table, Trinity House, and
Trinity Lodge.
History:
Trinity Community Ministries began in 1981 as a part of Trinity United Methodist
Church. Responding to the needs of the homeless in downtown Atlanta, it
opened a 30 bed shelter for homeless men in the church's basement. Later that
same year, a soup kitchen was started on Sunday afternoons.
In 1988, TCM incorporated as a nonprofit organization that included members
from other supporting churches. With incorporation, TCM expanded its funding
base to include grants from both governmental and private entities.
In 1989, TCM responded to the need for long term solutions to the problems of
homelessness and opened Trinity House. Trinity House replaced the shelter as a
transitional program to help homeless men again become full contributing
members of society.
In 1995, TCM expanded its program to include
a new program, Trinity Lodge.
Through its three outreach programs, TCM currently serves 16,000 homeless
people annually. These urban ministries would not be possible without 2,500
volunteers, 125 individual donors, 45 churches, and 15 organizations who
provide labor, supplies, equipment, and financial support.