How Atlanta Pride Run Restored 'Dignity' for Bridge of Light ATL
THE BENEFICIARY
Bridge of Light hopes to help even more people experiencing homelessness now that its support bus has received a makeover. New life has been sparked into the 'Dignity Bus', giving the organization an opportunity to carry out its mission to help people without homes and living in poverty.
Since 2015, the Atlanta-based non-profit has provided things like HIV testing, quality hygiene care, and laundry services to people in need. Organizers say they are using the newly renovated bus to meet people where they may be. Inside, there's hardwood flooring, WI-FI, a shower unit, and a fully mobile laundry unit.
"With the words, "We See You," we are able to spread that message to all people around that everybody is worthy, and everybody is seen," says Ray Young, a founder of the organization.
Young along with fellow co-founder, Torrie Everhart works to make sure the people they help are equipped with the proper tools, resources, and safe spaces.
"I feel like one thing we do differently than other organizations is that we focus on creating home-like environments, so we don't just give back to the community, we want to give them a space where they feel dignified, where they feel loved," says Everhart.
After years of serving the Atlanta homeless community, the very bus that helped change lives needed some changes, and a permanent solution was found thanks to Atlanta Pride Run. The vehicle developed rust, the paint began to chip away, and due to tight budgeting, the organization was only able to make temporary improvements. That's until a permanent solution was found.
“This has been a miracle. We are fortunate and we are appreciative, “”
"We try to work with organizations that help those with HIV and/or support HIV AIDS research, and since Bridge of Light offered HIV testing to the community, we decided to partner with them this year," says Atlanta Pride Run Project Coordinator, Maia Morton.
Pride Run Social Lead, Maia Morton, led the charge on painting the Bridge of Light Bus.
THE MAKEOVER
The fellow non-profit stepped in to help the organization push forward with its mission by supporting efforts to give the Dignity Bus a makeover. Morton took the initiative and decided to make a call to change the organization forever. She reached out to Sherwin Williams for paint donations, which they happily supplied for a good cause.
Then, she was introduced her to the artist and Atlanta native, Demetri Burke.
"I'm a storyteller and like to engage the community using my art. I'm happy to make really important stuff and collaborate with really important people and to do that with art always feels like a cool opportunity"," says Burke.
After smoothing the surface of the vehicle and putting his paint to steel, Burke was able to create a canvas on wheels that touched the hearts of the Bridge of Light team.
THE RESULTS
"Having it painted makes it stand out. It makes people feel good when they see us pulling up and know they can identify the bus. It's a nice bus that they're getting on and I think that matters," says Young.
"This has been a miracle. We are fortunate and we are appreciative, " says Everhart.
