CAC Programs
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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
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The Community Action Center provides temporary assistance during periods of unforeseen financial crisis to those who qualify.  

CAC can help with a portion of rent, mortgage, utility bills, medical bils or other situations 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.

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The CAC Thrift Shop
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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. New items received daily, so visit us often and take advantage of our fantastic values!

Open to the Public and CAC Clients

The Thrift Shop is open to the public as well as to CAC clients who "purchase" clothes with vouchers.

Donations:

The Thrift shop takes donations of gently worn clothes, accessories and small home goods.

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Food Pantry
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The CAC provides food to an average of 375 families a month.

We distribute non-perishable canned and packaged goods as well as perishable foods such meat and produce. Through the "Second Helpings" program CAC distributes prepared food donated by area restaurants.

CAC provides families and individuals in need with non-perishable canned and packaged goods 6 times a year and "Second Helpings" once a week.

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

Food and goods are donated to the CAC or purchased from the Atlanta Food Bank. 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 throughout the year.

Food needs are greatest during the summer when children are out of school and not receiving school subsidized lunches or breakfasts.

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Holiday Programs:
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CAC provides extra food and holiday gifts to families and individuals who have received financial assistance from CAC during the year.

These families are experiencing crisis situations. Many are at risk of becoming homeless because they lost a job or have serious medical situations.

Food gift cards, food baskets and Adopt-a-Family programs help our families make ends meet during the holiday season.

Read more about our 2009 Holiday Giving Program.

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Youth Enrichment:
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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.

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Adult Education:
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In keeping with our mission of uniting community resources to meet to community needs, the CAC launched its new Adult Education Program in 2007.   CAC adult education courses are offered at no cost to the clients except for the cost of textbook and material.  Classes may be open to the public space permitting.  Classes are held at the center with on-site babysitting provided for most. We offer courses such as:

• English for Successful Living  (ESL), in  cooperation with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church ESL  program;
• Personal Finance
• Introduction to  Computer Skills
• 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.  
  
  

View a complete list of current Adult Education courses at CAC. 

For more information contact Elna Sheetz, CAC Education Coordinator, 770-552-4889 or email education@ourcac.org.