Union Mission Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Parker’s House: A Home For Women

Union Mission and Parker’s Founder & CEO Greg Parker, major donors, and community partners celebrated the One-Year Anniversary of Parker’s House: A Home for Women last Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 125 Fahm Street. The event featured a press conference to highlight the program success and client impact, followed by a light reception and optional tour.

Featured speakers at the ceremony included Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, Union Mission President & CEO Michael Traynor, Parker’s Founder & CEO Greg Parker, and Union Mission Board Chairman Neilie Dunn.

Parkers House, a 32- bed facility, is the only Emergency Housing Program along the I-95 corridor from Florida to South Carolina dedicated solely to unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness. Union Mission clients receive individualized case management and access to an array of comprehensive supportive services that work to address clients’ medical, mental health, transportation and employment needs in order to help them permanently end their homelessness.

“We were shocked to learn that, on any given night in Chatham County, approximately 180 women are experiencing homelessness, so we made a commitment to support Union Mission’s goal to open a much-needed facility dedicated to helping unaccompanied women,” said Greg Parker, Parker’s Founder & CEO.

“The demand for Parker’s House from women in our community is tremendous. We’re incredibly impressed by the way this facility has been laser-focused on offering much-needed housing and essential supportive services in its first year of operation.”

Since opening on September 6, 2022, Parker’s House has achieved the following:

• 222 women served

• 60% employed at entry

• 136 obtained safe and stable housing

• 148 increased income through employment and benefits

“In the first year of operation, Union Mission served 222 women, exceeding expectations of serving 100 women annually,” said Michael Traynor, President & CEO of Union Mission. “Our program provides the secure foundation needed to obtain safe, stable housing. We are proud to offer a suite of housing and supportive services that empower individuals to achieve their goals with courage and confidence.”

In 2021, Parker’s made a $250,000 donation to Union Mission from the Parker’s Community Fund, which is administered by the Savannah Community Foundation, to support the founding of the new Parker’s House. Since then, Parker’s contributed an additional $100,000 pledge through a matching gift campaign. Starting in July 2023, Round-Up Campaign proceeds at Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchen locations in Georgia and South Carolina will be donated to Union Mission, including a Parker’s 25% match for each customer donation.

“There’s an urgent need to provide emergency housing and support services for women in need right here in our community,” said Parker. “We’re deeply honored to support Union Mission’s vision to create a safe space for women experiencing homelessness in Savannah at Parker’s House.”

Union Mission successfully completed a $2.35 million Capital Campaign to expand its Emergency Housing Programs to unaccompanied, homeless women. The facility includes 16 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a common kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry room, computer room, outdoor courtyard, and learning center.

Through the incredible support of the Parker’s Community Fund, Founder’s Circle members and other supporters, an idea of impacting 222 women annually turned into reality.

To become more involved with Union Mission or to schedule a private tour, contact Mark Toth, Director of Major Gifts & Organizational Strategy at (248) 770-3933 or mtoth@unionmission.org.

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