Mission
At Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), our mission is to empower marginalized and impoverished communities through the power of community. Our goal is to provide resources and support to all members of these communities so that they can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Research by David Brooks and the Aspen Institute has shown that hyper-individualism is rising in our country, leading to increased depression, substance abuse, and suicide rates. This collective pain is caused by our inability to form healthy connections with each other and to see the full dignity of each person, resulting in a culture of fear, distrust, tribalism, shaming, and strife.
CCS believes these issues are most prevalent in marginalized communities, making it harder for individuals to move up the economic ladder. That’s why we take a unique approach by combining traditional development resources with deep community connections to empower individuals to shape their own futures. Working together as a community can help marginalized individuals overcome their challenges and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
History
CCS was founded in May 2019 to serve the marginalized communities of Atlanta, GA. Our journey began with outreach efforts on Fulton Industrial Blvd in June 2019, where we provided resources and support to those in need. Initially, this outreach started in 2017, and we were proud to continue this vital work.
In September 2019, we received our 501(c)(3) determination letter and held our first anti-trafficking seminar for local government officials in November 2019. This seminar was a significant milestone for us, and we were honored to provide education and resources to local officials in the fight against human trafficking.
In February 2020, we launched the first iteration of the Client Journal, the companion workbook for our client-directed mentoring program. This program has been an integral part of our mission to empower and support our clients in achieving their goals.
In March 2020, we partnered with the Fulton County School Systems to provide meals to at-risk students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We delivered an average of 240 meals per week, helping to ensure that our community’s children had access to nutritious food during a difficult time.
In April 2020, we launched the Winnebago as the “Nest,” a 37-foot mobile office providing showers, laundry facilities, hot meals, and a safe space for community members to work on their goals or nap. The Nest was an essential addition to our services, and we were thrilled to provide this resource to our community.
In September 2022, we established the “Birdhouse,” a one-bedroom transitional housing space. This addition allowed us to expand our services to include transitional housing for those in need, providing a safe and supportive environment as they work towards a stable future.
We are proud of the progress we have made since our founding in 2019 and look forward to continuing to serve the marginalized communities of Atlanta with compassion, dedication, and innovation.
Our Team
Nikki Reeves and Leroy Lamar run CCS. Nikki serves as both the Director of Operations and volunteer coordinator. She has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations, including volunteering with anti-trafficking organizations for two years before settling in at Serenity’s Steps, the predecessor to CCS. Her experience in the Virgin Islands, where she worked with a similar population for seven years, has also given her valuable insights and skills to bring to her work at CCS.
Leroy Lamar has significant experience in service provision and relationship building, particularly within the homelessness and nonprofit sector. He has worked with youth at Young Life, providing him with additional experience working with this population. His time as a youth pastor has also given him valuable skills in program development and executive directing.
Together, Leroy and Nikki bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their roles, making them valuable assets to the organization.