New Initiative Calls on Congregations to ‘Adopt a Unit’

The Key Alliance launches new program to help formerly homeless individuals set up house

The Key Alliance, the nonprofit fundraising arm of the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission, launched a new program called Adopt A Unit that invites congregations to help formerly homeless individuals establish a household.

Clifton Harris, executive director of The Key Alliance, said when a person moves into permanent housing under the Housing First program, their low-income apartment is unfurnished.

“People may remember when they moved from their college dorm room into their first apartment,” Harris said. “Many of us started our first apartment with nothing. But a group of friends and family pitched in with a bed, a couch, a few pots and pans, towels and other things.”

The Adopt A Unit initiative follows the same principle. The Key Alliance is looking for congregations who are willing to help a person entering the Housing First program by collecting new or gently used household items and furniture to start their apartment.

The Key Alliance’s Housing First program takes people experiencing homelessness off the street and offers them permanent housing coupled with intensive case management.

“When we as a community come together, we can end chronic homelessness and reduce overall homelessness in our city,” Harris said. 

Covenant Presbyterian Church was the first congregation to participate in the Adopt A Unit initiative.

“We kind of fell into the program,” Barry Gammons, a church member who also chairs The Key Alliance board of directors, said. “We came to know a now formerly homeless individual and as a church decided to help him. With my role in The Key Alliance, I was fortunate to have the resources at my finger tips to bring in the expertise of the staff to help us coordinate our efforts.”

Gammons said the Adopt A Unit program provides the church members an opportunity to see, first hand, the difficulties faced by a homeless individual moving into housing. Many members become more curious about how they can help, in constructive ways, to deal with issues other than just material possessions. Some members have even begun to seek out other ways to serve the homeless community as a result of their experience with this program.

“This program gives all of those who participate a chance to get involved to whatever extent they feel comfortable,” Gammons said. “For some, that may mean donating furnishings. For others, it may mean exploring more deeply the issue of homelessness and seeking out ways to bring their resources and talents to bear on the issue.”

Carolyn Grossley Cooper, housing coordinator with The Key Alliance, said the Adopt A Unit initiative is only possible through collaborations.

“The role of The Key Alliance is to help identify basic needs and offer guidance to a congregation so that as members step up to help a formerly homeless neighbor transition from street life into the Housing First program, they do not overwhelm themselves or the person they want to help,” Grossley Cooper said. “My role truly is to ensure that we define boundaries while meeting the needs of a person.”

Gammons said the program works.

“We have had nothing but positive experiences,” Gammons said. “One of the missions of our congregation is to reach out to the poor. Programs such as Adopt A Unit allow us to have a positive experience that keeps us wanting to stay involved.” 

Congregations interested in learning more about the Adopt A Unit initiative can email Carolyn Grossley Cooper at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at 615-880-2293.

For more information about The Key Alliance and its programs visit www.thekeyalliance.org.

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