WE SERVE AND DEVELOP
Envision Atlanta develops missional leaders by engaging short-term participants in multicultural experiences that serve the refugee community of Clarkston, GA.
We aim to meet the practical needs of our local refugee community through a variety of ministries while bringing the light of Christ into the lives of individuals and families. It is through our ministries that we invite interns, residents, and short-term teams into transformational opportunities that aspire to develop them into missional leaders.
AFTER-SCHOOL MINISTRY
While the statewide graduation rate among public schools in GA sits at 85%, only 71% of students at Clarkston High School are graduating with their high school diploma. Students at Clarkston High are from 54 countries and speak 47 different languages, often arriving in the U.S. with limited educational backgrounds. In response to this, our after-school ministry provides academic support through one-on-one or small group tutoring to students from kindergarten to sixth grade. Volunteer tutors, interns, and short-term teams work with students to complete homework, teach and practice relevant skills, and care for students in such a way that holistic needs are better understood and met, for we are mindful that the needs of our students go beyond the classroom.
ESL
Learning English is one of the greatest and most vital needs among refugees for a multitude of reasons. According to the 2024 U.S. Census, 49% of people in Clarkston reported speaking a language other than English at home, which is roughly around 7,000 people in Clarkston. By offering one-on-one lessons at home and group classes held at various facilities, volunteer teachers work strategically with students from multiple educational backgrounds in order to help achieve each individual's personal language goals. We count it a joy to have celebrated many students who have gone on to obtain jobs, citizenship, and college degrees, among many other achievements. While teaching English is our aim, many volunteer teachers and students have established friendships that span beyond the classroom, creating organic opportunities to further share the love of Christ, our ultimate hope.
MEDICAL CARE
Access to healthcare services is often an ongoing challenge for our refugee community. Envision Atlanta works with healthcare providers to help provide access to both traveling professional teams and healthcare professionals in Clarkston. EA has worked with optometrists from Great Faith Vision, a mobile dental clinic, and partners with Ethne Health to provide Physical and Occupational Therapy care. We love to have healthcare professionals serve with us, and encourage those interested to submit a volunteer form.
ENVISION ACRES FARM
Due to neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food options, vehicle or public transportation, and nearby, affordable supermarkets, residents of Clarkston, GA, live in what's considered a "food desert." With poverty rates over 20%, at least one third of residents living a mile away from a grocery store, and the accessibility of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods, the health of individuals within food deserts suffers tremendously. The ministry of Envision Acres Farm seeks to address this health and food crisis with culturally appropriate, familiar, and fresh food options directly grown and raised on our farm. As a means of development, we serve alongside volunteers, interns, residents, short-term teams, and employees from Clarkston to engage our community with visits and events, provide healthy produce and proteins, and extend the loving hand of Jesus as our ultimate provision.
GOSPEL OUTREACH
Today, 43% of the world’s population is considered unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though tempting to assume these people are not within our borders, over 14 million unreached people are living in America. Clarkston, once deemed the most diverse square mile in America, is home to thousands of refugees who have never heard the Gospel or the name of Jesus Christ. We seek to be faithful witnesses for Christ through all of our ministries while also intentionally engaging our community through prayer-walking, home visits, evangelism, and discipleship opportunities. Staff, interns, residents, and volunteers are challenged and ignited to go and make disciples of all nations; our diverse neighbors are encountering the hope of the Gospel; and the Lord is transforming lives.