StreetWise Mission

The mission of StreetWise Georgia is to offer the necessary physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual tools to help people stabilize their lives, improve their environment, and move out of a state of dependency into a state of well-being and self-sufficiency.

Our History

StreetWise Georgia was founded in 1988 when Terry and Pat Powell stepped out in faith, simultaneously left their corporate positions, and devoted their lives to spreading the word of God and serving families living in low-income poverty level areas.

They began by building an extensive resource programs in downtown Atlanta, most notably in the government housing communities. Many recognized the big bus as Terry and Pat offered a broad range of services to hundreds of families from the StreetWise bus. Their mission was to provide families with food, clothing, personal hygiene items, and the tools that they needed to rebuild their lives and become self sufficient. 

In 2008, many of the downtown government housing projects were dismantled by the City of Atlanta, and the families were moved into suburbs outside the perimeter of Interstate 285. StreetWise responded by maintaining those relationships founded in the inner city, as well as expanding its influence into all of Metro Atlanta.

Today, StreetWise Georgia has its primary operating center in Gwinnett County, at the larger StreetWise facility located at 1770 Cedars Road Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045. We serve more than 600 families a month and distribute over one million pounds of food a year to families in need. StreetWise also offers Training Classes which provide courses that educate and train clients for job interviews, resume writing, job skills, basic financial education, and other life skills.

With the passing of our founder, Terry Powell, in February 2020, we still consistently follow and honor his living legacy of the StreetWise mission to meet the needs of the community and enhance our impact, one family at a time!

Terry & Pat Powell, Founders

StreetWise Leadership