S2S adds Executive Director in Atlanta to advance its innovative approach to ending situational homelessness through partnerships with the multifamily housing industry.
VIENNA, Va. – July 27, 2021–Shelters to Shutters (S2S), a national non-profit that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency through partnerships with apartment companies, announced today that April Cline will join the organization as Executive Director for its Atlanta operations. In her role, Cline will work to grow the program in Atlanta to become a premier employment and housing placement agency for individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Cline brings over 25 years of experience in the Atlanta philanthropic community, and has worked for the American Red Cross, the Grady Health Care system, the American Heart Association, and was the executive director for the Georgia Radio Reading Service for 10 years. She has extensive experience in fundraising and community development, which includes traveling to Ghana to work for an international NGO to combat human trafficking. Cline recently completed an MSW, and is a licensed social worker with a strong record of success providing housing and case management services for homeless and marginalized populations.
“April’s experience in leading nonprofits coupled with her experience as a licensed social worker gives her a unique skillset perfect for taking Shelters to Shutters’ work in Atlanta to the next level. Atlanta is one of our markets most poised for growth. I am confident that under April’s leadership and with the support of our Atlanta City Advisory Board, we will drastically increase the number of individuals and families we serve,” said David Williams, Shelters to Shutters’ President and CEO.
S2S partners with over 40 apartment management companies, such as Atlanta based Gables Residential, to place people experiencing homelessness in onsite, entry-level jobs, and provide them with housing at the same communities where they work. S2S provides each participant with career mentoring and access to support services to ensure a successful long-term transition. S2S works with multiple homeless-focused non-profits to identify suitable job applicants. The program changes the lives of individuals and families while providing quality, motivated employees for a rapidly growing industry in need of talent.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of a proven solution for at risk and marginalized communities,” said Cline. “The combination of both full-time employment and housing opportunities through a private industry makes this program unlike any other.”
In 2019, Shelters to Shutters launched the Atlanta City Advisory Board comprised of leaders within the community committed to the mission and to creating a sustainable pathway for program support. Atlanta City Advisory Board members include: Ashish Bisaria, CXO/Global Head of Customer Experience, Firstsource; Niki Buchanan, Director of Customer Success, National Team, Microsoft; Sharp Gillespy, Director of Business Development, OneApp; Dan Haefner, President & CEO, Buyers Access; John Hansen, Director of North America Marketing, Iron Mountain; DeAnn Hargis, Atlanta Market Business Development, Mainfreight Americas; Ali Jamal, CEO, Stablegold Hospitality; Amar Lama, Managing Partner, TEQuity Venture Partners, LLC; Jeffrey Malcolm, CIO, MAD Design Studios; Manjanath Nayak, SVP, Customer Success and Global IIoT, Microland Ltd; Dr. Debbie Phillips, President, The Quadrillion; Michael Pilnick, EVP, Global Head of Human Resources, First Advantage.
“April brings a tremendous track record in serving others and we are extremely lucky to have her join our Shelters to Shutters team. She brings an extensive background that will be well suited in our efforts to help cure situational homelessness. Speaking for the Atlanta City Advisory Board, we look forward to working closely with April as she leads the charge here in Atlanta,” Dan Haefner, Chairman, S2S Atlanta City Advisory Board.
The Atlanta City Advisory Board is hosting a fundraiser to raise support for the Atlanta program at Topgolf Midtown on Thursday, November 18, 2021. To learn more about participating in the event, contact April Cline at april.cline@shelterstoshutters.org.
About Shelters to Shutters
Shelters to Shutters is a national 501(c)(3) organization that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency by educating and engaging the real estate industry to provide employment and housing opportunities. Across the country, Shelters to Shutters pairs leading property management companies with individuals experiencing homelessness who are ready to work. The result is an innovative program that provides full-time employment and housing opportunities for individuals facing homelessness and a pipeline of high quality, motivated employees for the multifamily housing industry. Since its founding in 2014, S2S and its multifamily partners have assisted individuals and families out of homelessness in markets throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, South and Texas. More information can be found at www.shelterstoshutters.org or by following the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.