CAC Programs
.....................................................................................

Overview:
.....................................................................................

Community Action Center (CAC) provides assistance during times of unforeseen economic crisis, such as job loss, illness, unpaid medical leave, medical expenses or family changes such as those involving death, divorce or separation.  

• Approximately 70% of financial assistance goes towards rent and mortgage payments to prevent homelessness and provide stability for the family and the community. Emphasis is on providing support and helping clients return to self-sufficiency by giving targeted assistance and using community resources.
• Food is distributed through the Food Pantry.
• Clothing vouchers are provided to clients to use in the Thrift Shop.

Financial Assistance
.....................................................................................

The Community Action Center provides temporary assistance during periods of unforeseen financial crisis.  

CAC can help with a portion of rent, mortgage or utility bills due to a crisis such as illness, job lay off, divorce, etc.   In addition, clients may receive help with prescription medication or prescription glasses.   Such assistance is available in emergency situations only.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicant must be able to document that they ahve been residents of the CAC service area for at least three months.   If financial assistance is being requested for rent, prospective clients must be listed by name on any lease that is being provided as proof of residency.   Applicants must live within the following ZIP code service area:   30327, 30328, 30338, 30342, 30346, 30350.
2. Proof of income is required and can be provided by a pay stub, IRS tax documentation, or AFDC/Food stamp letter.
3. Proof of recent financial need is required.   (For example, separation notice, medical expense receipt, etc.)   Client's name must appear on the bill being submitted for documentation.

Frequency: Eligible clients may receive financial assistance 1-3 times during the course of a year.   The Executive Director will determine how best to provide assistance during a time of unforeseen financial crisis.

Method of assistance:   Clients receive a pledge for the amount of support CAC is able to provide.   In most cases, additional sources of funding may be necessary.   Once the client has secured all necessary funds, CAC   provides   a check for payment to the appropriate business entity (landlord, utility company, etc.)   Checks are not written to clients directly.

Back to top

The CAC Thrift Shop
.....................................................................................

The Holiday Gift Shop was amazing this year.   Your donation of toys made close to 1,000 children happy on Christmas morning and relieved holiday stress for the parents of over 400 families.   Your willingness to donate time in shopping for and volunteering in the Holiday Gift Shop is very much appreciated.   I wish each of you could have seen the parents shop with pride for gifts for their children.

Description:

The Community Action Center Thrift Shop is one of Atlanta's best kept secrets for fabulous finds. Offering a wide selection of new, gently worn, and designer labels to meet your entire families clothing needs.

The Thrift Shop is also a wonderful source for:

• Household Items
• Gifts
• Jewelry
• Collectibles

Support your community and indulge in guilt-free shopping.

New items received daily, so visit us often and take advantage of our fantastic values!

Hours:

The Thrift Shop is open every Monday and Wednesday from 10:00am to 4:00pm as well as the 1 st and 3rd Friday of each month from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Location:

770.552.4889
1130 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs, GA 30350.
Click Here for directions.

Volunteer with the Thrift Shop:

Make new friends and at the same time make a difference in the lives of our clients. Volunteer with a friend or a group of friends and work together.   Or come make new friends who share your commitment to making a difference in their community!

Volunteer hours are flexible.   You can choose to work one day a month, every other week, weekly, etc. although most volunteers find it helpful to start by working at least one day a week.   While it is extremely helpful for volunteers to be bilingual, it is not a requirement. Training for work in the Thrift Shop is provided to all volunteers.

Call the Community Action Center at 770-552-4889 or email thriftvolunteers@ourcac.org.   Someone will contact you as soon as possible.

If you or your group are looking for a way to contribute other than working in the Thrift Shop, you might consider a special project such as:

• Sew decorative pillows
• Sew throw blankets
• Cut & tie fleece throws
• Collect children's winter jackets (clean & prepare)
• Make stocking stuffers
• Collect children's bathing suits for summer camps

Back to top

 

 

Food Pantry
.....................................................................................

In 2005, CAC provided 80,000 pounds of groceries. While our sponsoring congregations conduct one or more food drives for us each year, we also count on area schools, youth groups, and local businesses to conduct food drives.   On an almost weekly basis, CAC runs short on food and must buy canned goods from the Atlanta Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to drive to the Food Bank and pick up and deliver canned goods to CAC.  

Food needs are greatest during the summer when children are out of school and not receiving school subsidized lunches or breakfasts. Summer is also the time of year when food sources are down because schools are not in session and therefore are not conducting food drives for us. In addition, congregations are often less active as so many families are out of town on vacation.

The CAC accepts non-perishable canned and packaged goods. Please check to ensure items have not reached their expiration date before donating.

Large bags of rice are accepted and can be repackaged by CAC volunteers.

Paper towels, diapers and toilet paper are urgently needed.

CAC also maintains a special section within the food pantry for items that can be easily used by those who do not have access to cooking facilities:

Back to top

Holiday Programs:
.....................................................................................

This program provides Thanksgiving food baskets in November and holiday gifts for children in December.   At the Holiday Gift Shop, parents can select donated new toys for their children and have them gift-wrapped by volunteers.  

Individuals and groups may also choose to "adopt" a family for the holidays and provide the gifts for the family based on their "wish list" which is compiled by CAC volunteers.

Back to top

Youth Enrichment:
.....................................................................................

Since 1999, the Youth Enrichment Program (YEP), with the continued sponsorship of a Fulton County F.R.E.S.H. grant, Altrusa International Inc., and support from civic groups, congregations, businesses and individuals, has partnered with local camps to provide students with safe and meaningful activities in programs. Participation has no cost to the family. Children, ages 3 to 18, are referred by their school counselors, teachers or social workers.   In many cases, YEP not only ensures a free placement at the camp, but also arranges for the required physicals, necessary camp clothing and materials, as well as transportation to and from the camp.

The program also provides school supplies to students unable to provide for themselves.

The Community Action Center’s Youth Enrichment Program is working with 22 summer camps to provide camp opportunities for our local youth who would otherwise spend the summer in unstructured and often unsupervised activities.  Through participation in  these summer camps youth can develop social and leadership skills as well as technical skills.  Over 300 camp slots have been reserved for CAC placements, however, very few of these slots are full scholarships.
 
Please help us Send a Kid to Camp with your donation of:
$250 which provides a full camp scholarship.
$100 which pays for a required camp physical.
$ 50  which buys related camp equipment, clothing, and supplies.

Back to top

Adult Education:
.....................................................................................

In keeping with our mission of uniting community resources to meet to community needs, the CAC launched its new Adult Education Program on September 18, 2007.   Under the tutelage of program coordinator Elna Sheetz and in conjunction with existing community programs, clients can now take courses in the following areas:

• English for Successful Living  (ESL), in  cooperation with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church ESL  program;
• Personal Finance, Introduction to  Computer, and Employability Skills 101, in cooperation with Atlanta  Jewish Family and Career Services,
• JumpSTART Your  Career, a project of the  Alexandra Syrdyk Jones Foundation, Inc.  that works to empower women by  building successful attitudes to achieve their personal and professional  goals. The six weeks of classes will focus on job readiness
• through  identifying strengths, areas of interest and compatible career placements.  This offering will begin in January 2008.
  

  These adult education programs are offered at no cost to the clients except for the cost of textbook and material.  Day and evening sessions are available.   Classes are held at the center with on-site babysitting provided for most.