A Year of Co-Creation
Hannah Louck • March 4, 2025
A lookback at the Housing Security Co-Create Group
In January 2024, concerned community members and over 40 organizations came together with a shared commitment to addressing housing insecurity in Athens County. By leveraging collective resources, fundraising, and collaborative problem-solving, the Housing Security Co-Create Group is working toward long-term solutions while addressing immediate needs.
Progress and Milestones
Over the past year, the Housing Security Co-Create Group and its members have made significant strides:
- Securing Grant Funding for a Low-Barrier Shelter
Led by HAPCAP and supported by numerous organizations in the Co-Create Group, the Sunset Shelter Project was launched to establish a temporary shelter in Athens County. This shelter will provide individuals experiencing housing instability with dignity, support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Scheduled to open in 2026, it will be a critical resource for the community. - Establishing the Housing Security Fund
Through the collaboration of generous donors and the investment of ACF, the Athens County Housing Security Fund was created to support key housing initiatives and projects. To date, the fund has awarded over $16,000 to direct service providers working to provide winter housing for unhoused individuals in the community. - Supporting the Emergency Motel Voucher Program
Led by My Sister’s Place (MSP) .This pilot project is a pilot initiative streamlining the referral process and operations to providing temporary, safe shelter for individuals and families in immediate need. - Launching the Emergency Warming Center
The Gathering Place, in partnership with the City of Athens, established an emergency overnight warming center at the Columbus Road Firehouse. This vital resource provided a warm, safe refuge for individuals, families, and even pets during the harsh winter months. - Improving Resource Navigation and Reducing Poverty Stigma
Efforts are ongoing to enhance resource navigation in the community, ensuring that those in need can easily access essential services. Stigma reduction is also a key focus, with education and advocacy initiatives already in motion. One notable example is the Grover Lecture Series featuring Matthew Desmond, which has helped foster important discussions on poverty and housing insecurity. - Learning from Best Practices
As the Co-Create Group continues its work, members remain committed to researching and evaluating successful housing interventions in other communities. By learning from proven strategies, we can refine and strengthen our local approach.
These achievements highlight the value of co-creation—pooling resources and making shared decisions to produce lasting, community-driven solutions. As we move into our second year, our commitment remains steadfast: to address the full spectrum of housing security needs in Athens County.
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ACF's Role in Co-Creation
The Athens County Foundation (ACF) plays a vital role in the co-creation effort as a convener, funder, and advocate for inclusive, community-driven solutions. ACF, through Project Co-Create, is committed to building a system where the county’s assets and strengths are harmonized and mobilized to propel progress.
ACF will continue to leverage resources, expand and share connections, foster collaboration, and champion efforts to ensure a healthy, inclusive, and thriving Athens County for all.
Get Involved
There are so many ways for you to get involved:
- Give: If you’re in a position to give, consider donating to the Athens County Foundation to help advance community-driven solutions through collaboration. To directly support housing security efforts, you can contribute to the Housing Security Fund.
- Support Local Nonprofits: Many nonprofits are doing incredible work to address housing insecurity in Athens County. Whether through monetary donations, in-kind contributions, or volunteer service, your support can make a meaningful impact. Several organizations mentioned in this article could use your help! (Check out our nonprofit directory to find more local nonprofits)
- Advocate: Stand up for policies that promote a thriving, inclusive community. Connect with local advocacy organizations to learn how you can raise awareness and make your voice heard.
Every effort, big or small, adds up to meaningful progress.
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Stronger Together
On Thursday, May 21, community members gathered at the Athens Armory to celebrate the graduates of the 2026 Leadership Athens County Flagship and Youth cohorts, honor 20 years of Leadership Athens County, and officially launch the Leadership Athens County Alumni Association. Hosted by the Athens County Foundation, the evening reflected the program’s long-standing commitment to cultivating local leadership rooted in connection, collaboration, and service. Over the past two decades, Leadership Athens County has brought together emerging and established leaders from across the region to deepen their understanding of Athens County, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills needed to create meaningful community impact. In her opening remarks, Athens County Foundation Executive Director Kerry Pigman reflected on the program’s origins and enduring purpose. “Leadership Athens County exists because people chose to invest in each other and in this community,” Pigman shared. “Tonight may represent the end of your program, but it is also an invitation. An invitation to stay engaged.” Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common theme: leadership in Athens County is built through relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to community. Communications and Engagement Manager Emily Prince, a member of the very first Leadership Athens County cohort in 2006, reflected on how the program shaped her own leadership journey and deepened her sense of belonging in Athens County. “Leadership Athens County helped me to find the opportunities I needed to be who I want to be,” Prince said. “I want to be a person who forges a path, clears the rocks, and levels the roots. I want the next generation’s road to be smoother than mine so that they can run farther.” Graduates from both the adult and youth cohorts shared personal introductions of one another throughout the ceremony, highlighting the relationships, growth, and mutual support developed over the year. Their reflections emphasized the diversity of leadership styles and experiences represented across Athens County, from educators, nonprofit professionals, artists, healthcare workers, and advocates to students already stepping into leadership roles within their schools and communities. Leadership Athens County facilitator Dani Esperanza reminded attendees that the program is grounded in an asset-based approach to leadership. “The leaders we need are already here,” Esperanza said during the commencement ceremony. “We don’t need a ‘hero’ leader who will save the day and come up with all the solutions. We need to identify our individual and collective strengths, harness them to make change, and support one another throughout the process.” The event also marked the official launch of the Leadership Athens County Alumni Association, an initiative designed to strengthen connections among the program’s more than 400 alums and create opportunities for continued collaboration, mentorship, service, and learning. Speaking during closing remarks, Leadership Athens County alumna Mallory Swaim reflected on the importance of sustaining those connections long after graduation. “The greatest strength of Athens County has never been a building, an institution, or a single organization,” Swaim said. “It has always been the people. The people are willing to invest in one another. The people willing to stay engaged.” The evening also included fundraising efforts to support the Leadership Athens County Fund, which is helping to seed an endowment dedicated to supporting Leadership Athens County Youth in perpetuity and to ensuring that future young leaders can participate fully regardless of financial barriers. As the evening concluded, graduates, alums, families, and community partners celebrated not only the accomplishments of the 2026 cohorts but also the growing network of leaders who continue to shape the future of Athens County together. Nomination forms are open for both the Flagship and Youth Programs:
Strength and Spirit of our Community
