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Being driven to help others and improve the quality of life for those in the community is a noble and fulfilling pursuit. It takes a special kind of person to be motivated to make a difference in the world, and those who are able to channel their passion and compassion into meaningful action can truly have a positive impact. As members of a community, we have a responsibility to support and uplift those who are struggling. For many individuals and families in Metro Atlanta, this struggle is all too real, whether it’s due to homelessness, unemployment, disability, or other challenges. That’s where the Investors Academy comes in.
Fueled with a passion for making a difference in the community, Montra McKenzie founded the Investors Academy as a resource hub in Metro-Atlanta to serve underserved individuals and families, including homeless veterans, the disabled, those living with chronic illnesses, ex-offenders, and those struggling with unemployment or food insecurity. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need and helping them achieve a better quality of life.
“My services are solving problems because we are not only providing job readiness skills to allow those in need to enter the workforce and be prepared to thrive, but we also offer a clothing closet to help them be “Dressed for Success” and then have interviews. We even take it a step further with our food pantry at our resource center to help alleviate any food insecurities that our trainees may be facing while trying to rise above their hardships. We are committed to helping the less fortunate in the community rise,” Montra McKenzie shared.
The Investors Academy offers a range of services and programs designed to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency, ranging from housing support, wrap-around services, a full-service food pantry that is open to the public, a computer lab, a job readiness program, job placement, financial coaching, and life skills training. In the past year alone, the Investors Academy has served over 3,000 families, housed 500 homeless veterans, coached and trained over 300 people, and provided jobs to over 300 individuals.
One of the standout programs offered by the Investors Academy is the Youth Outreach Program, which provides employment opportunities, workplace skills training, financial management and saving skills, counseling, and connections to education and job opportunities to at-risk youth aged 15-24 in Metro Atlanta. This program prioritizes those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, mental health issues, difficulties in traditional education settings, and a lack of access to resources for personal and career development.
The Investors Academy’s Youth Apprenticeship Job Training Program is another key initiative, offering hands-on job training in the warehousing industry to underserved youth. Participants receive training in warehousing skills, pallet jack operation, warehouse safety, and OSHA guidelines, giving them valuable skills that can be used in the real world. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Investors Academy has trained and employed over 30 at-risk youth in the inner city and has provided supportive housing for veterans facing homelessness.
The Investors Academy is well on its way to furthering its cause, expanding its services to accommodate more people in Metro Atlanta toward self-sufficiency. Its focus on helping at-risk youth develop valuable skills and access education and job opportunities have already made a difference in the lives of many, and with continued support, the Investors Academy has the potential to continue driving positive change in the community.
