Clifton Sanctuary and Joe’s Place

Joe Coppage was a beloved Lake Claire fixture who struggled with schizophrenia in the 1970s and ’80s. His neighbors allowed him to sleep on their porches, which is where he seemed the most comfortable. His standard answer when asked if he needed anything was simply, “Please pray for me.”

Faith-based Shelter: Clifton Sanctuary Ministries is an emergency shelter than sleeps 18 men. Photo credit: contributed

Coppage’s plight inspired the leaders of Clifton Presbyterian Church to take action. So after services one Sunday in November 1979, they moved the pews out of the sanctuary and replaced them with mats for homeless men – establishing a 45-year tradition of furniture rearrangement.

“Joe’s presence was the impetus for this expansion of services, which is how we became Clifton Sanctuary Ministries, the first faith-based shelter in Atlanta,” says board Chair Leslie Prince.

The sanctuary has grown into an emergency shelter that sleeps 18 guests.

“Over the years we’ve served tens of thousands of men, most of whom have physical illnesses and disabilities, mental health issues [or] HIV/AIDS,” she says, adding, “Our first step is usually to address sobriety. We have Alcoholics Anonymous meetings twice a week.”

Across the street from the sanctuary is transitional housing, known as Joe’s Place, where seven men can stay for up to two years. In addition to providing basics such as hot meals and healthcare, staff members and volunteers offer training in life skills: vocational job preparation, financial literacy, computer skills.

“We have a clothes closet so they can look nice,” Prince says.

Bible study is offered but not required. “If there’s something they need we don’t have, we can usually partner with another agency to get it.”

Coppage was killed in the late ’80s, but his memory is still uplifting others, she says.