Every person at some point in their life starts to wonder if they metaphorically “left it on the field, court or in the ring”; or did they stay “status quo” and pack it in to the tune of mediocrity. Don’t get me wrong, we are not all fighters, protectors and providers and the like but, the “coward of the county” (Kenny Rodgers) stigma is one that no one wants. Certainly, we as a nation are not that… I am proud of many things however, what I am most proud of is my service to this great nation of ours, The United States of America; for more than 20 years I fought the good fight. And, I used my wit to become who I am today.
Not all who served have or had the same wherewithal to succeed and survive in a world different from the military after serving. In fact, some of our worse off people in this country are those who made that sacrifice, dedicated a portion of their life to protect and serve. They did this only to return to rejection, poverty, homelessness, mental illness, disability and the like. Enter a Samaritan, a veteran, personally vetted to provide, take a stance on assisting; today we talk with Founder and CEO of Quest Communities, Mr. Leonard Adams Jr.
http://www.questcommunities.org/
Leonard L. Adams, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Quest 35, Inc.
As a veteran of the United States armed services having served in the Persian Gulf War from 1990 to 1991, Mr. Adams is keenly aware of the challenges faced by men and women once they return to civilian life. This understanding, along with his commitment to support urban community development, serves as the catalyst for his work through Quest 35, Inc.
Founded in 2001, Quest 35, Inc—a 501c3 non-profit community housing and development organization that provides affordable supportive housing for chronically homeless and low income adult men, women and veterans with a history of substance abuse and/or mental illness disorder. The Leonard House is Quest 35’s inaugural facility, providing transitional and short-term safe and drug-free housing. The Leonard House has served more than 2,000 people since its inception. Program supported by United Way of Metro Atlanta and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). As a developer Mr. Adams has multi years of experience in developing affordable housing, supportive housing and transitional housing with funding requirements compliance on HOME, CDBG, HOF, VCTF and PSHP projects.
Leonard has received several awards and recognition for his commitment and dedication to community and educational programs. He was awarded the Imani Award in 2004 for his diversified housing programs and an award from the Covenant House of Georgia for his speech on “The Urban Male under Reconstruction” in 2003. Currently matriculating in the Kennesaw State University, Class of 2014 Executive MBA program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee and earned a certificate in Community Housing Development from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as a Certificate of Compliance for Community Standards by the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases of the State of Georgia. Quest 35, Inc. is a Nationally Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
In January 2007, Mr. Adams founded The Black College Foundation, an organization that provides support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Black College Foundation collaborates with the community and business sectors to raise funds needed to enhance campus life, through renovation and updating the campus physical plant. Areas of interest are student housing, student centers, computer and biology laboratories and libraries. Funding is distributed through the organization’s Campus Impact Grant. Mr. Adams is the current of Treasurer on the Georgia Supportive Housing Association Board of Directors and is on the Advisory Board at Star Academy at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. He is also a member of the Phi Beta Lambda Honor Society and an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity—both of which promote education, leadership and community service.