Star neuroscience student puts Hope into practice at the Women’s Community Kitchen

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the close relationship between mental health disorders and homelessness. Georgia ranks 49th in the U.S. in access to mental health care and saw a 15% increase in homelessness between 2022 and 2023 — higher than the national average of 12%.

These statistics can feel bleak, but the Atlanta community is springing into action like never before. At Hope Atlanta, we’re not only building a team of clinicians to address the gaps in access to care. We have passionate volunteers like Melani Macik by our side, helping to provide a steadfast support system for neighbors in need.

Melani, who recently earned her bachelor’s in neuroscience from Georgia State University, began volunteering at a young age. Her passion was rekindled during a psychiatry research internship where many patients experienced homelessness in addition to conditions like psychosis. She knew she wanted to help and quickly became a regular Women’s Community Kitchen volunteer.

Between her studies, internships, and a part-time job, Melani has still found time to show up every Wednesday morning to serve breakfast and build meaningful relationships with our guests.

“Developing a connection with the ladies is the most rewarding part of volunteering,” she says. “There are people who expect to see me. They remember me, and I remember them, and I check to see how their health is doing.”

Another rewarding aspect is witnessing the deep bonds and sense of community our clients have formed over the years. Melani recalls how, recently, a routine breakfast turned into a moving show of support.

“One of the ladies took the mic, and she said the most beautiful prayer,” Melani says. “It was cool seeing the women pray for others. Even though their lives are so difficult, they were thinking about people who weren’t themselves. They were praying for other people around them.”

These women’s unwavering sense of Hope and gratitude is something we can all draw inspiration from.

“Some of them said prayers of gratefulness for the things that they do have,” says Menali. “I think there are people who have a lot more than those ladies who don’t practice gratefulness like that.”

While Melani will soon leave Atlanta to start her Ph.D at Yale, and as she begins a new chapter, her kindness and compassion will leave a lasting impact. She shared this advice for others looking to make a difference:

“For us younger people, a lot of us don’t have money to give, but a lot of us do have time. It’s worth it.”

Want to join Melani in making a difference?

We need extra hands and resources to support clients at the Women’s Community Kitchen, The Melody, and those transitioning from homelessness. Volunteering is a great team-building activity for your company, and groups are welcome.

Explore current volunteer opportunities here, or contact Sarina Marsh, our Director of Community Engagement.