One of the aspects that makes our program unique is the "Special Needs Assistance Partnership", funded by HUD, to address the barriers of employment associated with substance abuse and homeless families needing childcare for children under the age of five. This partnership consists of our partnering agency Atlanta Children's Shelter  and AEC. By sharing staff, we are able to better serve and support those with substance abuse issues and children.

AEC has formal partnerships with other Metro area agencies including Fulton County Workforce Development, Angels over Atlanta, Crossroads Community Ministries, Mercy Mobile Health Care and St. Luke's Training and Counseling Center. In addition to our formal partnerships, we are part of the service-delivery network in the Metro-area exchanging referrals with more than 30 collaborating agencies on a monthly basis.

AEC is on the Steering Committee for the Pathways Community Network, a computerized network of more than 20 other service providers, Fulton County's Collaboration to End Homelessness and on the Executive Committee of the fifty agencies Georgia Alliance for Work Force Development. We are also active participants in the Homeless Action Group, Tri-J Continuum of Care, The Task Force for the Homeless, Mayor Shirley Franklin's Commission On Homelessness and part of the Employment Council. AEC is also proud to be a United Way agency.

Additional information on ending homelessness can be found at:

External link: www.unitedwayatl.org/e0-homeless.asp
(Mayor’s Commission on Homelessness)
External link: www.hud.gov/homeless/index.cfm
(US Department of Housing and Urban Development)
External link: www.dca.state.ga.us/housing
(State of Georgia Homeless Action Plan)