Meet Mike Garrison: Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Garrison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Compass For Hope Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit that serves those experiencing homelessness in Augusta Ga. We are growing and seeing success in our impact and I believe that is primarily due to being intentionally different. We don’t anticipate a fix or cure for homelessness, but we see our efforts to be uniquely different as our success. I began this effort already realizing that the status quo was indeed not working. We are facing a complex problem that will have a far more complex solution. Our difference is the genuine heartfelt relationships that we have cultivated and grown with the guests that we serve. Trust, or lack thereof, is a huge barrier for those experiencing homelessness. We have been consistently present on a weekly basis by being there to serve and give away clothing and toiletry items as well as a delicious meal each Sunday and we take the time to chat and above all else …. listen. They’re people, they have a story and they want to be seen and heard. We are not a cookie cutter program and we have been very fluid through our growth and seen tremendous support from our community. That support has allowed to do things differently such as a recent Christmas day activity where we ensured that every single guest to the soup kitchen had a stocking filled with candy and treats as well as a present to unwrap that included a new special t shirt we had made just for them as well as gloves and stocking caps to help keep warm.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After 20 years as an electrician, I went back to finish college and became a middle school science teacher. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to be part of a solution and have an impact. Construction is a great trade but I never got the satisfaction of knowing that I had made a difference in someone’s life. Teaching offered me that and I love being in the classroom with those young minds. Middle school is different for sure but I feel like those students are most impressionable and I hope to help steer some into a better direction through my own influence over their lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I fear that as an Augustan, I may not be the best host in Atlanta. If given the chance to spend an extended amount of time in Atlanta I would definitely have an itinerary. We would certainly attend a sporting event in or around Atlanta even if it weren’t one of the major league teams. I am a Bravos fan indeed but would glady spend an afternoon cheering for the Stripers over in Gwinnett or attend a Gladiators game on ice. Of course a trip to see the Big Chicken in Marietta and I always have an affinity for exploring stone Mountain. Safe Homes would certainly be where I would spend some time serving and I would definitely visit MUST ministries to help prepare a meal or two. It would be the highlight of my trip in the ATL to go serve alongside Jason Winter with Hope Thru Soap. HTS is a mobile shower experience for those experiencing homelessness and I consider Jason a hero for the work he does in Atlanta for those experiencing homelessness. A dinner at Ted’s Montana grill would be excellent and I would adore the idea of seeing another concert at the Tabernacle.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore is an ironic tale of a rich art dealer and a rough and scary homeless man. The book was made into a movie and both are equally fantastic. I have read the book and watched the movie as well as met Ron Hall and all three events were tremendously impactful on me. Ron has stories and adventures that are wildly similar to many of my own experiences through serving those experiencing homelessness. Meeting Ron was like meeting an old friend. The conversations were organic and beautiful because we both knew the feelings of the others experiences. Ron’s story of helping Denver and ultimately being helped by Denver is so enlightening as we all (as Denver would say) are just walking each other home. People experiencing homelessness deserve that kind of respect that Ron gave Denver and those of us serving deserve that reaffirmation that our outpouring of love is hitting the mark and that’s exactly what Denver was able to give Ron.

Website: www.compassforhope.org
Instagram: compass_for_hope
Twitter: AugustaCompass
Facebook: CompassForHope
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7K_zAYzSoXqoACS08t8dFA

Image Credits
Eric Hendrickson Mike Garrison Heath Cundey