ZABAN Paradies Center for Homeless Couples, Inc.
Mission Statement
To empower couples experiencing homelessness or financial vulnerability to achieve lasting self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.
About This Cause
The Zaban Paradies Center (ZPC) focuses its efforts on providing services that strengthen and stabilize families, and linking them to support networks that sustain their well-being. ZPC began as The Temple Night Shelter for Homeless Couples founded in Atlanta by members of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation (The Temple) in 1984. The Temple opened its classrooms during the months of October to April to assist upwards to 10 homeless couples. In 1988, the shelter moved to the second floor of the Selig Educational Building on The Temple campus and was renamed The Zaban Center for Homeless Couples after Atlanta businessman and philanthropist, Erwin Zaban, who sponsored the renovation of the building to accommodate 22 couples. The Center remained a volunteer-based organization until 2008, at which time it became an independent 501 (c)(3) organization with an executive director and program staff. In 2015, the organization’s name was changed to the Zaban Paradies Center for Homeless Couples (ZPC) as a result of a substantial gift from the Paradies family. In 2020, after an intensive environmental scan and strategic planning process, ZPC significantly expanded its services to include community-based homeless intervention and prevention services for couples and families. ZPC’s services now include a seasonal shelter for adult couples, rapid re-housing services for couples and families experiencing homelessness, and economic/housing stability services for financially vulnerable couples and families.