Supporting Housing Stability on Atlanta’s Westside
On Atlanta’s Westside, community takes shape through people showing up for one another. Neighbors, local organizations and volunteers are working side by side to help families remain in the communities they’ve long called home.
That work is reflected in the ongoing partnership between Westside Future Fund and Progress Residential, combining volunteer efforts and financial support to strengthen housing stability and expand opportunity for families with deep roots in the Westside community.
“Partnerships like this allow us to bring together residents, neighbors and organizations who all care deeply about the future of the Westside,” said Mariel Hicks, Development Officer at the Westside Future Fund. “Support from partners like Progress Residential helps expand programs that strengthen community connections and support families.”
Through initiatives like Westside Future Fund’s Our Next Chapter Campaign, families are finding more stability and new pathways forward. In 2025, the organization’s Home on the Westside initiative supported more than 400 households, from providing affordable rental opportunities to offering down payment and property tax assistance that helps longstanding Westside residents remain in their homes.
“Progress Residential’s support is helping us deliver on our mission to create a community where legacy residents can stay and thrive,” said John Ahmann, President and CEO of the Westside Future Fund. “Their role as our first Volunteer Sponsor reflects a commitment to both people and place, bringing not only resources but also their team into the work.”
But the impact is not only measured in numbers. It can be seen in moments of connection, as volunteers joined Westside Future Fund initiatives throughout the year, from the MLK Day of Service to supporting riders, runners and walkers during Ride for the Westside.
“Real impact goes beyond financial support. It’s about showing up and working alongside our partners,” said Nikki Sloup, SVP of Brand, Communications and PR at Progress Residential. “That’s how meaningful, lasting change happens.”
During the Holiday Wishes Program, Progress helped to purchase gifts while local volunteers wrapped and delivered the presents, supporting hundreds of families during the holiday season. At Ride for the Westside, volunteers took part in community cleanups leading up to the event and supported day-of activities, from setup and water stations to walking, running and cycling alongside participants through the historic streets of Atlanta’s westside.
Across these efforts, volunteers worked alongside community partners, staff and neighbors, contributing in ways both large and small. As one Progress volunteer shared, it was an opportunity to “connect with the community in a way that was bigger than us,” while another described the experience as “humbling and inspiring, a reminder that small acts of service can make a lasting impact.”
“When you’re working alongside volunteers and community partners, you get to see the impact firsthand,” said Jim Rice III, Community Engagement Manager at Progress Residential. “Those moments make the work real. You’re not just contributing; you’re part of a community coming together.”
