CARE Innovation Hub to tackle local poverty

By Clare S. Richie

CARE USA, based in Downtown for 25 years, just repurposed its entire first floor at 151 Ellis St. into a co-working space to tackle universal issues. Dubbed the CARE Atlanta Global Innovation Hub, it sits at the intersection of social impact, innovation and justice.

“To me this is a starting point for Atlanta to really embody the ecosystem that is here and to bring it together in powerful way that I hope that we can grow from. In fact, we want to grow and invite other partners into this initiative,” CARE USA CEO Michelle Nunn said at the Sept. 5 ribbon cutting ceremony.

With support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the ~20k sq/ft renovation includes private offices, co-working spaces, meeting space, events space and a café concept.

“CARE saw an opportunity to be much more present in the surrounding community,” Innovation Hub Executive Director Ryan Shepard said.

The Innovation Hub seeks to facilitate collaboration among activists, artists, thinkers and movement builders to explore, test, and scale new solutions. For starters, CARE USA will incubate a pilot of the Village Savings and Loans program in Clarkston and Atlanta to reach refugee, immigrant and low socio-economic status populations.

“It’s a model we’ve been really effective in helping to grow all over the world. The idea is to figure out what it would take to get Americans to a place of being financially solvent – see a pathway to access capital they need to live out their dreams in a healthy and productive way,” Shepard said.

In addition, the Innovation Hub will focus on Community & Culture, Events & Experiences, and Support & Services.

“When you look at any social justice movement – art and culture are at the front lines. We wanted to bring that into our space and breathe life into the space,” Shepard said. Husband and wife team Jumbe and Anja Sebunya of an anchor partner aKAZ!ATL

Continued on page 18

1110 WEST PEACHTREE STREET SUITE 1030

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309

WE UTILIZE THE LATEST IN SURGICAL TECHNIQUES...

including laparoscopic surgical technology and colonoscopies, to treat and care for diseases of the colon and rectum. GCRSA surgeons are trained and experienced in treating diseases of the colon and rectum, which include such problems as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas, bowel incontinence, the management and treatment of diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, constipation, benign polyps and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum.

Our physicians are affiliated with 10 of metro Atlanta’s most respected hospitals and remain actively involved in medical and technological research programs that over the years have led to earlier discharge and faster recuperation rates for many surgery patients.

OUR LOCATIONS OFFER:

• Laparoscopic colon resection

• Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery

• Hemorrhoids

• Anal fissures

• Anal fistula

• Bowel incontinence

• Management of diverticulosis

• Benign & malignant polyps of the colon & rectum

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Constipation

• Anal condyloma/wart removal

CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT 770-277-4277 gcrsa.com have curated the hub’s first art installation with African fabrics from their private collection.

“We are very passionate about creating new narratives about Africa that’s not about war, conflict and poverty. We want to show the beauty, coping and resilience of people on the continent. The hope is to build traction for new African designers and artists here. Ours is a start up, just like the Innovation Hub, “Anja said.

Shepard’s team is also launching a quarterly Experience Series for a small group to go deep on a topic. The October experience led by the Equal Justice Initiative will take place over two days with a trip to Montgomery and a closing session at the hub.

“When people think of this Innovation Hub, we what them to think of cool exciting events, something that blows the old-school panel out of the water,” Shepard said.

Emerging nonprofits can now also look to CARE as a mentor.

“When you look at CARE’s broad reach and massive infrastructure, there’s a really cool opportunity to make that available for organizations that share our values,” Shepard said. The global nonprofit works in more than 90 countries, supporting nearly 1,000 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian-aid projects.

Six anchor partners – aKAZ!ATL, Black Feminist Future, Candid., EARTH University, Girls Going Global and Café Casa – have already moved in and begun collaborating with CARE USA and one another.

“We have these extraordinary partners that I think are demonstrative of the dynamism and creativity in Atlanta,” Nunn said.

Candid., the nonprofit formed by the joining together of the philanthropy resource Foundation Center and nonprofit resource GuideStar formerly housed in the Georgia-Pacific building, will now offer classes for nonprofits at the Innovation Hub in addition to other places like local libraries.

Even though EARTH University’s main campus for teaching agricultural skills is located in Costa Rica, you can buy their bananas at a local Whole Foods.

“We have an endless set of possibilities for how we might bring this to life. We hope that you will be inspired and you will join us on this journey. We invite folks to stop by, check out our website Innovation. care.org and reach out with thoughts or questions,” Shepard said.