Our story
re:loom is a program of Initiative for Affordable Housing, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Decatur, Georgia. Founded in 1990 with one home and one homeless family, Initiative for Affordable Housing’s mission is to provide permanent, affordable housing to homeless and low-income families in metro Atlanta. Our rigorous, holistic social services program empowers individuals to reach personal goals and achieve independence.
re:loom grew naturally from our work with adults who struggled to secure and maintain jobs. We help individuals address obstacles to employment through paid on-site job training and leadership opportunities. Weavers design and produce handmade products and lead a team of weavehouse volunteers. With a stable salary, 100% healthcare coverage, and opportunities to engage in the operation of the weavehouse, employees gain a financial foundation, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose and accomplishment. With your help, re:loom will continue to support the IAH team in growing our positive impact on homelessness in Atlanta.
With your help, re:loom will continue to help the IAH team in growing our positive impact on homelessness in Atlanta.
Our people
Weaver
Weaver
Weaver
Operations Manager
Community Engagement Manager
Interim Executive Director
Our founder
On January 10, 1992, the Initiative for Affordable Housing board of directors hired Lisa Wise as its first executive director. Over more than 30 years under Lisa’s executive leadership, volunteer leadership provided by the board, and support from our community, Initiative –
- Established 4 multifamily properties, currently providing 355 housing units to low- and very low-income individuals, families, and seniors.
- Established and provided transitional housing and support services for up to two years to hundreds of parents and children experiencing homelessness, currently 8 families, including 24 children in the Homeless Services program.
- Established re:loom, an employment training program to empower individuals facing homelessness to develop the soft and transferable job skills needed to break free from the cycle of poverty.
re:loom combines sustainability goals for families and sustainability goals for environmental practices. The program exemplifies Lisa’s penchant for finding practical solutions with limited resources and weaving a better life for everyone.
re:loom weaves together direct ways for the community to meaningfully engage with Initiative: through volunteering at the Weavehouse, financial support of Initiative’s programs, and upcycling discarded textiles into beautiful, handwoven art, décor and practical fashion items. re:loom products symbolize people’s need to be able sustain themselves and their families and the community’s need for a sustainable environment in which to live.
Since 2011, re:loom has provided employment training and permanent employment to dozens of individuals seeking a way to provide a better life for themselves and their families and diverted tons of discarded textile materials from landfills and incinerators.
Lisa touched countless lives through her dedication to preventing homelessness, breaking the cycle of homelessness, and her passion for sustainable practices and products. Her legacy will continue to inspire us as we move forward. We hope it inspires you to support Initiative’s efforts to continue our work with families facing homelessness, strengthen our partnerships, and take care of our environment.