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 serving families living in low-income areas.
They began by building an extensive resource program in downtown Atlanta, most notably in the government housing communities of Perry Homes and Bowen Homes. There, StreetWise offered a broad range of services to provide more than 600 families that were living below the poverty level with the professional care, love, and faith, that they needed to rebuild their lives.
StreetWise in the Early Years
Our First Ambassadors at the Lawrenceville Facility
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 5000 families a year and distributing over 1.1 millions pounds of food to families in need. 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
Tracy Joseph, Executive Director Pat Powell, Vice President & Founder Gary Pipkorn, Director of Operations Chris Powell, Director of Marketing & Business Development Karen Cox, Communications Director Dorothy Ford, Director of Finance Alex Owen, Chief Officer Brad Anderson Waylon Hoge Tracy Joseph Simon Shim
