This news article has been reposted from The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

Imagine a scenario where you need medical attention but must choose between going to the doctor or feeding your family. Or another situation in which a single trip to the emergency room ruined your credit rating and sent you into a debilitating debt from which you may never recover. Now imagine being able to prevent such scenarios. We can!

The Cathedral of St. Philip is partnering with Emmaus House to buy the medical debt of residents of some of our most financially vulnerable communities. This debt reduction will give struggling families a fresh start, allowing them to receive critical medical attention and support on their journey toward financial stability. In partnership with the non-profit RIP Medical Debt, we seek to forgive $11.5 million in medical debt from our neighbors in and around Peoplestown. Every dollar donated forgives $100 of medical debt. Your gift of any amount will help us to reach our goal of $115,000 to purchase and forgive the medical debt of families in the communities served by Emmaus House.

Emmaus House works to improve the economic and social well-being of the residents of Peoplestown and surrounding neighborhoods. It provides resources to build long-term, economic self-sufficiency for individuals and families in crisis through a variety of social services. However, no matter how hard some families work to break the cycle of generational poverty, crushing medical debt can be virtually impossible to overcome. Your support of this unique campaign will help us reach 4,800 households in south Atlanta to help break this debilitating cycle.

Now imagine a scenario when a resident of Peoplestown opens an envelope telling them that a third party has paid for and erased their medical debt with no strings attached – they owe nothing and have no tax penalty. Families can pay mortgages, utility bills, put food on their tables, and, most importantly, remain in the neighborhood.

Every gift will make a difference. Please join us today in fellowship with our Cathedral family, our neighbors in Peoplestown, and our partners at Emmaus House to make a significant difference in our city.

Thanks to the generosity of several Cathedral families, the first $40,000 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar.

Contributing is easy: online at www.cathedralATL.org/medicaldebt or mail a check to the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 (with “Medical Debt Relief” in memo line).

Please join us today in fellowship with our Cathedral family, our neighbors in Peoplestown, and our partners at Emmaus House to make a significant difference in our city.

Thank you!

The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder
Cathedral Canon for Community & Education

Haven Long
Cathedral Treasurer; Emmaus House Board Member

Greg Cole
Emmaus House Executive Director

Help Relieve Medical Debt in Peoplestown