Lost-N-Found Youth, a metro Atlanta helping LGBT homeless youth get immediately off the streets, plans to open a drop-in center on Dec. 2.
The drop-in center will be located within the 13,000 square feet of space that houses the organization's newly opened thrift and consignment store located at 2585 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, near Cheshire Bridge Road and Interstate 85 in Midtown, said Rick Westbrook, executive director of Lost-N-Found Youth.
The non-profit organization is also set to open a new shelter in Midtown:
Just announced our 20-year lease for a new transitional home and drop-in center in midtown. Thanks to St. Marks for making this a reality.
— Lost-n-Found Youth (@LostNFoundYouth) November 21, 2013
Lost-N-Found Youth, a volunteer-led organization founded two years ago, is hoping the thrift store will bring in approximately $100,000 annually. The group's annual budget is currently $100,000 funded 80 percent by individual donations.
UPDATE: Mary Norwood is the winner, according to unofficial results from the Fulton County election office, winning 53 percent to 47 percent. She issued this statement Wednesday morning:
I am so grateful to you all! Our campaign was a tremendous TEAM effort, with Atlantans from all over our city coming together and supporting my return to City Hall to serve you again. What an exciting, action-packed campaign we had! Each of you was amazing in your dedication and determination to have me represent you—your commitment of time and resources made the difference in our win and I appreciate every single effort–-knocking on doors, talking to friends, sending contributions, making phone calls, displaying yard signs – WOW! It’s a GREAT DAY, Atlanta! And I’m ready and excited to work for you all again!
Former Atlanta City Council member and mayoral candidate Mary Norwood defeated incumbent Aaron Watson in the Post 2 At-Large city council seat, a seat she once held before running for mayor in 2009.
With all of the precincts reporting, Norwood 24,628 votes for 53 percent while Watson got 22,005 for 47 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Fulton County election office.
Atlanta City Council District 5 incumbent Natalyn Archibong is suing her two gay opponents, accusing them of libel and slander, according to a report by CBS Atlanta.
CBS Atlanta reports:
Archibong is seeking a temporary and permanent restraining order and an injunction that would in effect silence Matt Rinker and Christian Enterkin days before the election on Tuesday.
A ruling is expected this afternoon.
The Log Cabin Republicans came out in full force defense of City Council Post 2 At-Large candidate Mary Norwood after the Democratic Party of Georgia took out ads accusing the former council member and mayoral candidate of, well, perhaps being a Republican — a similar tactic, and ad, used against her mayoral run in 2009.
In a tough battle for the City Council against incumbent, and Democrat, Aaron Watson, the state Democratic Party felt there was enough of a threat to put out an ad and remind people that Norwood just might be a Republican. Of course, it should be pointed out that the City Council races are non-partisan. The election is Nov. 5.
Allegations of fraud followed by being disbarred by the state Supreme Court has Atlanta City Council Post 3 At-Large incumbent Lamar Willis facing an uphill battle to hold onto the seat he's held since 2001. This election has big names jumping into the fray — Mayor Kasim Reed continues to back Willis despite the disbarment while former Mayor Shirley Franklin and former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard held a recent press conference to endorse first-time candidate Andre Dickens. Woolard, the first openly gay elected person in Georgia when elected to the council in 1997, is also a lobbyist for Georgia Equality, the state's largest LGBT advocacy organization.
Atlanta City Councilmember Aaron Watson is endorsed by staunch LGBT advocate U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and also the gay political group the Georgia Stonewall Democrats in his re-election bid in which he's being challenged by Mary Norwood.
Four years ago, Norwood was on the cusp of beating Mayor Kasim Reed to become the city's top leader, but lost by slightly more than 700 votes. She did win the heavily gay District 6, in part because she was a full supporter of marriage equality while, at the time, Reed only supported civil unions. Reed now supports full marriage equality.
Alex Wan is seeking his second term on the Atlanta City Council and faces competition from two LGBT friendly straight candidates. As part of our election guide coverage, we asked each extensive questions related to LGBT communities and the city. Here are their responses. While the election is non-partisan, all candidates were asked for their party affiliation to provide more information to readers.
District 6 includes: Ansley Park, Atkins Park, Brookwood Hills (effective Jan. 1), Candler Park, Druid Hills, Lindridge/Martin Manor, Midtown, Morningside/Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights, Sherwood Forest, Virginia-Highland.