Our History:
The Zaban Paradies Center (originally called the Temple Night Shelter for the Homeless) was founded by members of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation in 1984 as the first and only shelter for couples experiencing homelessness in Atlanta.
The Zaban name was added after a few years as an acknowledgment to Erwin Zaban‘s part in funding the addition to the Selig building. The mission of the Center was to keep couples together as they moved from experiencing homelessness to finding permanent places to live.
In 2008, the shelter became an independent non-profit and was formally named the Zaban Couples Center. In 2015, the Center was renamed the Zaban Paradies Center for Homeless Couples after the generous donation from Rick Paradies in memory of his father, Dan Paradies, a longtime supporter of the Center.
The Zaban Paradies Center now provides year-round support and shelter for couples experiencing homelessness. Additionally, we have expanded our programming to provide couples, families, and individuals with housing placement, case management, and financial assistance to assist them with achieving self-sufficiency in permanent housing. We are focused on creating new opportunities for our residents and program participants to move into housing faster and remain stably housed with our support.
The Center:
ZPC currently has 14 private rooms for couples, housing up to 28 residents at a time. The Center has several shared spaces for workshops, counseling, relaxation, and quiet reflection. The Center also has a kitchen, laundry facilities, and a computer lab.
Being a part of a supportive community is one of the positive aspects of life at ZPC. Couples can enjoy dinner and center activities together. They also participate in weekly groups and workshops designed to support their mental and emotional wellness and economic stability goals. Couples contribute to the residential community’s well-being by assisting with facility care and treating staff, other residents, and volunteers with respect and dignity.
To learn more about homelessness in Atlanta, see the following presentations:
