Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries Executive Director Ryan Jones pitched the nonprofit’s emergency assistance programs and shared updates with community members at a recent Norcross PDC meeting at 45 South Cafe.
Jones, a Gwinnett County native and Brookwood High School alum, said he was called to join the Norcross-based nonprofit about five and a half years ago. The former real estate banker attended Presbyterian College in South Carolina.
“Last year, we served 46,000 individuals, neighbors in crisis here,” Jones said. “They come to us often on their worst day. We feed them, clothe them, house them, help them with medicine, and try to use all those interactions to point people in the direction of programs and services designed to get them to a more stable place.”
NCM’s new initiatives
The nonprofit helps families in the southwest Gwinnett County cities of Norcross and Peachtree Corners, as the northeast DeKalb County cities of Doraville and Tucker.
NCM was formed in 1988 when several churches joined together to help low-income and homeless families, according to the nonprofit’s website. Today, more than 20 congregations support the nonprofit through its church council.
“Over the last 27 years, the needs in our community have changed drastically,” the website says. “Early on, some food and financial assistance would help a family through a temporary crisis. With changing demographics in the community, families now face long-term needs due to fixed incomes, homelessness, abuse, language barriers, single-parent homes, and many other circumstances.
Jones said once the nonprofit invests in individuals and families who want to “dig in and do the work.”
“We are of the belief that everyone who walks in our doors has unique value that they bring to this world, despite the circumstances that may bring them to us,” Jones said. “We want to be a place where someone can go, where they walk in, and they recognize their value.”
Nonprofit expansion needs support
Jones encouraged PDC attendees to contribute their time, talent, or resources to help improve clients’ physical, financial, social, and spiritual health. He said volunteers, who can drive to pick up fresh produce or stock food pantries, are crucial.
“This fall is probably the most active NCM has been in my five and a half years,” Jones said. “And it’s absolutely going to fail if we don’t have support and we don’t have people who step in and help.”
Jones said new programs with staff members are kicking off, like Nurse Donna’s health fairs on the first Friday of every month in the nonprofit’s new 2,000-square-foot Community Learning Lab at 500 Pinnacle Court.
“We will have 20 to 25 vendors doing various things at a health fair,” Jones said, mentioning physicians, local banks, food pantries, and mental health professionals. “I didn’t realize just how impactful that could be for someone who is putting everything else off. They’re dealing with basic needs.”
Other new developments include a nutritionist providing clients with healthier food; a new director of development driving community connectivity; and more Crisis to Career participants keeping their jobs after six months.
“If you do any survey of any food bank population, they’re going to tell you ‘we want more milk, more eggs, more fresh produce, every time,” Jones said. “At least 30% of our food is going to be fresh produce, and that’s something we’re starting to check.
Read more about volunteer opportunities, including translation services, building maintenance, career coaching, clerical work, and Vacation Bible School, here.
Helping people build resiliency
A few Norcross PDC attendees shared ideas with the executive director of Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, like where to get throw-aways from grocery stores and which farms in the area may have extras.
The nonprofit has an online schedule of classes and events, designed to reach as many community members in need as possible. Jones said more corporate connections, leading to sponsorships and volunteer groups, would be a great help.
This fall, NCM is rolling out three new educational cohorts: Jobs for Life, starting Aug. 31, which needs significant volunteers; Raising Highly Capable Kids, starting Aug. 17, which needs food donations; and three levels of English classes, starting the first week of August.
“If you either know of or have any resources that would really help,” Jones said. “We just got done with VBS [Vacation Bible Study]; it was the best we ever did.”
Ultimately, Jones said NCM’s goal is to help families build resiliency.
