Neighbor in Need is an initiative in three Atlanta communities that helps low-income elderly residents make emergency home repairs so they can remain in their homes. Citizens volunteer their time and skills for projects like roofing, plumbing, and yard work. The program is associated with two non-profits that provide additional volunteers. Residents can donate funds or materials online or by volunteering directly. The initiative is community-led and relies on partnerships with local businesses to obtain materials for repairs.

1. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study
Neighbor in Need
http;//www.neighborinneed.org
East Lake, Kirkwood and Edgewood communities in Atlanta, Georgia.
Description
Neighbor in Need is an initiative in the communities of East Lake, Kirkwood and
Edgewood in Atlanta where citizens help low income elderly make emergency home
repairs as repair a leaky roof and bad plumbing, so these individuals do not have to be
displaced from their homes. The point of the program is to help the elderly keep their
homes when they have nowhere else to go as opposed to being forced to sell their
properties.
A service of the east lake cammunity
Citizen Role
Citizens act as both donators and volunteers for these projects. Projects range from roof
repair, electrical failures, exterminating, window replacements, repainting and major
gardening help.
Neighbor in need is also associated with the East Lake foundation and Atlanta Youth
project, which have programs of volunteering to act on many different projects, and one
of them is neighbors in need.
Degrees of Involvement
Everyone work as volunteers, but the level of envolvment is different. There are people
who participate in every activity and that manage the program and there are people who
participate with working hours. Some volunteers some citizens have to enter by the
institutions mentioned above: East Lake foundation and Atlanta Youth project. To
Caring for Elderly and Children: Rosalind, Amber, Kara, Jennifer, Daniella

2. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study
become a volunteer the candidate has to:
1. Complete the secure volunteer application.
2. Agree to a background check.
3. Work with the volunteer coordinator to find a program that best matches your
interests and schedule.
4. Attend orientation training.
Some of the members are working on the program on regular basis, they contribute with
work.
The amount of hours you donate is pretty open, to match people’s schedules
comfortably.
The institution also raises funds for the projects, and people or institutions can donate
either money or materials for specific repairs. Individuals can donate on-line or volunteer
directly in the organization.
Public Role
The institution is basically lead by the community and the non profit organizations that
support it and the private sector. The money raised comes from the community (through
fund raising activities), from private enterprises who support it, and from donations on-
line. They also have a list of partners that collaborate with material and services. Here
are some of the partners that collaborate with materials: Cool Ray Heating and Air, Mr.
Plumber Atlanta, USA Roofing and Windows, Sherwin Williams, Arrow Exterminators
and Georgia Pressure and Steam.
Service Diagram
Caring for Elderly and Children: Rosalind, Amber, Kara, Jennifer, Daniella

3. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study
Enabling Systems
Neighbors in need has a web site were you can become a member or donate, the
volunteers who participate on regular basis manage the financial resources, distribute
the tasks, and also participate on the repairs. The materials donated by the partners are
donated based on the needs of each job.
East Lake foundation and Atlanta Youth project are the two organization that are linked
to Neighbors in need offering working hours of their volunteers and supporting the
community around the project.
Role of Digital Environment
The web-site does not play such an important role in the management of the system, the
main connections are made through other social communities like churches, clubs and
the East Lake Community Foundation. What is available at the website is the application
for volunteers and place were you can donate through paypal and credit-card.
Background / History
East Lake was a popular vacation haven for Atlanta’s well-to-do families in the early
1900s and continued to attract golfing enthusiasts who wanted to play at East Lake Golf
Club, It was established in 1995 to help transform the East Lake neighborhood and
create new opportunities for the families who live there. Working with neighborhood
residents and expert public and private partners, the Foundation developed a new
community on the site of the former public housing project.
Since the autumn of 2007, the recession has been impacting many senior citizens in
East Lake, Atlanta. They were struggling with the rising costs of city taxes, home
maintenance, heating and cooling and the ever-rising health care costs associated with
growing older. Many have seen their funds decimated and their home's value drop
markedly as well. At that time the East Lake Community decided to offer this service
organizing the community and building partnerships, to help the elderly who were facing
difficulties.
Caring for Elderly and Children: Rosalind, Amber, Kara, Jennifer, Daniella