DeKalb County Commissioner Nicole Massiah, at podium, speaks during the opening of the county’s day center at New Life Community Alliance on June 15, 2026. (Zoe Seiler/Appen Media)
DeKalb County and New Life Community Alliance officials celebrated the opening of a day center on Flat Shoals Road in south DeKalb that will provide shelter and wraparound services to homeless individuals during the daytime hours.
The South DeKalb Day Center is designed to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with the services they need to regain stability and independence, according to a news release.
The facility opened on Monday, June 15, at New Life Community Alliance, located at 3592 Flat Shoals Road in Greater Decatur. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and offers breakfast and lunch.
Transportation is available through Fast Track, which has four routes, and through MARTA. After the center closes, individuals can go to Frontline, other shelter services or a location of their choosing.
The campus will serve as a centralized point of access for housing assistance, workforce development, behavioral health services, healthcare referrals, and other essential resources. Residents seeking assistance or organizations interested in supporting the effort can contact New Life Community Alliance at (404) 687-4033.
DeKalb County’s day center is open at New Life Community Alliance, located at 3592 Flat Shoals Road in Greater Decatur. (Zoe Seiler/Appen Media)
Officials said that homelessness is not only a socio-economic issue but also a public health issue. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said homelessness is one of the most complex issues communities are facing, and the facility will support the county’s most vulnerable residents.
“This new center strengthens our ability to meet residents where they are, provide critical support services, and create opportunities for long-term success,” Cochran-Johnson said. “It represents another step forward in our efforts to build a more responsive and coordinated system of care throughout DeKalb County.”
She added that the day center wouldn’t be possible without the support of the county commissioners. The facility is located in Commission District 3, which is represented by Commissioner Nicole Massiah.
“This day center is more than just a building. It is a doorway to housing, employment, health services and more importantly, hope,” Massiah said. “When we invest in people, we invest in the future of our entire community.”
Massiah is also looking forward to having workforce opportunities near the day center as the Candler Crossing Publix is built and becomes operational.
“There’s also an economic impact,” Massiah said. “When people are connected to job training, workforce development, transportation, and employment opportunities, they have a better chance of achieving long-term stability and self-sufficiency.”
New Life Community Alliance provides case management, housing navigation, employment assistance, educational opportunities, clothing assistance, technology resources and hygiene services, such as showers and laundry machines.
“We will provide everything here, from basic health screenings to clothing, showers, warm meals, and also counseling,” Cochran-Johnson said. “Most importantly, the DeKalb day center will provide hope. It will provide compassion, and it will also provide a path forward.”
Claratel CEO Fabio van der Merwe shared that individuals experiencing homelessness are six times more likely to have a serious mental illness, nine times more likely to attempt suicide, and five times more likely to rely on emergency departments for care.
At the day center, Claratel Behavioral Health will provide an on-site case manager who can connect individuals to outside services, such as the pharmacy at Claratel’s Clifton Springs location, a substance use treatment facility and a crisis center. There will also be a telehealth booth at the day center where patrons can see a therapist or psychiatrist.
The day center is focused on bringing a range of services under one roof, reducing barriers to access and improving coordination among partners.
New Life has been providing services to homeless individuals and anyone who needs extra support since 2002. Its campus includes multiple buildings that house the church, a gymnasium space and services, like the barber shop, beauty salon and clothing closet.
Rev. Marlin Harris said the ministry helps anyone in need. All of the programs are led by staff and volunteers.
“As needs arise, we just started helping people and that’s the culture of our church,” Harris said.
He added that the church assists individuals experiencing housed and unhoused poverty.
“We felt like if Jesus were here physically on earth today, what would he be doing and who would he be spending his time with,” Harris said. “Based on what we read in the Gospels, we believe that he would be spending his time with the mentally ill, with those who are unhoused, those who are ill, those who were sick, because that’s what he did. We just wanted to imitate him.”
The center’s capacity will gradually expand. During the initial launch period, staff and volunteers are focused on individualized assessments, service coordination and building opportunities for permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
The day center will operate at the New Life Community Alliance campus while DeKalb County continues evaluating long-term opportunities to expand shelter and supportive housing resources countywide. DeKalb County is also exploring an opportunity to open a day center in north DeKalb County.
This story was provided by WABE media partner Decaturish.
