For years, David Lee struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. He says he was homeless, depressed and hopeless. A few years ago, Lee decided to change his life. He says he was sleeping in front of the Atlanta homeless shelter, Gateway Center, when a police officer connected him to Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD).
The nonprofit, which offers wraparound services to people experiencing extreme poverty, substance use and mental health disorders, recently entered a multi-year contract with the City of Atlanta. The new agreement comes following a rocky contract relationship, including a contract lapse for the first few days of the new year.
On Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Lee talked candidly with show host Rose Scott about why he feels PAD’s initiative is a God-given program and how it transformed his life. Lee was joined by PAD’s executive director Moki Macias, who talked more about how the new contract will allow PAD to expand its work.
