April 2022 - Helping Neighbors in Need in Sandy Springs & Dunwoody Since 1987 |
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Wow! The first quarter of 2022 has come and gone already and we’ve been busy. Our south Sandy Springs Branch is opening this Monday, April 18! Our new Career Center is now open at Hightower; we have staff members who have assumed new roles and others joining the team; we have paved the parking lots at Hightower and Roswell Road, and celebrated our amazing volunteers during CAC’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.
All this, along with our regular programming to prevent homelessness and put food on the table of our neighbors. Requests for help have not slowed down either, with rising prices comes increased need for emergency financial assistance; and we are doing our best to address that need. We are gearing up for summer programs to provide summer lunches for kids and backpacks to prepare kids for school in the Fall.
We cannot do any of this without our partners. Because of you, we are able to help neighbors like single mother Cindy. Cindy’s rent went up 20% which took the slim margin she had. When she had nowhere else to turn, she came to CAC and asked for help. Because of your generosity we were able to provide rent assistance, food and clothing for her and two small children. Cindy found out about our work preparing tax returns for free and she is in line for a tax refund. Thank you for helping Cindy!
Stop by and visit. I’ll put the coffee on.
Francis, CEO
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We are Hosting a Ribbon Cutting & Open House for our south Sandy Springs Branch! |
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CAC Celebrates Volunteers at our Appreciation Luncheon |
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Congratulations to Judy Lagerbloom, recipient of the Mitzi O’Connell Care & Compassion Award
Judy exemplifies the values of CAC to make a difference in the lives of the those she serves, as well as the volunteers she works beside.
The heart and soul of CAC’s mission is its Volunteer Corp, those who give their time to help others in need. Since Community Assistance Center’s founding in 1987, the organization has relied on dedicated and compassionate community members to staff most of the program delivery operations at CAC.
More than 350 individuals volunteer at CAC and collectively they contribute about $800,000 in donated labor. Most important is that clients find hope in the encouragement and support of our volunteers. The CAC Volunteer Luncheon honored Judy and our volunteers for their continued commitment in serving our clients and community. For More Information
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Volunteer and Grandchildren Shop to Benefit Ukraine |
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Debbie Levin, a long-time CAC volunteer, brought her two grandchildren, Blair and Remy to CAC's Thrift Shop on "Everything's a $1 Day". She gave them $50 each to shop for clothing and household items to send help to Ukrainians in need. Other volunteers were inspired by their generosity, and matched Debbie's allotment for a total of $200 which bought 200 items! “I love CAC and I knew I could help families here and across the globe by buying clothing at the thrift shop.” says Debbie. It is heart-warming to know so many in our community are looking for ways to help!
Special thanks to Nataliya Fleshler, CAC Volunteer Adult Education Teacher and LSS 2022 Class Member who coordinated the shipment of Debbie's purchased items and those collected through the efforts of LSS.
Have a creative idea to help people locally by shopping at CAC? Let us know at Thrift
SHOP APRIL 15th on Fabulous Friday and get 50% off everything!
CAC’s Thrift Shop helps local families who face financial challenges by offering vouchers to shop for clothing and household items for free.
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Helping Clients Overcome Unexpected Challenges |
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Josh is 36 years old and lost his job driving a box truck in August last year. He used his savings to pay his rent until there was nothing left. He came to CAC for assistance in December and we gladly covered most of his rent, plus two small utility bills.
“But what thrills me the most, is that Mr. Turner took the initiative and enrolled in the training needed for him to get his CDL, which he did! What fun it was to sit with him, to listen to him, and to see the amazing pictures of him driving a huge Amazon 18-wheeler! When I asked where he was going from here, he said…without hesitation…that one day he would own his own truck and pay someone else to drive it. As he walked out, I told him how proud I was of him and he asked if he could have a hug. And of course, I said “yes”! - Financial Assistance Volunteer
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Support Youth with Summer Lunches & School Supplies |
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The Summer Lunch Program provides 5-day packs of meals that kids can prepare themselves when school is out. Summers can be stressful for working parents who rely on school lunches. With your help more than 500 youths will receive about 12,000 meals this summer! Together we make sure children have enough to eat during this time of year and that they look forward to their summer away from school.
The Tools for School Program helps prepare kids for the start of school by providing a Back Pack with grade specific supplies according to lists provided by public schools in Sandy Springs & Dunwoody. Your gift ensures that every child will have access to the same supplies as their friends, so they can look forward to the new school year. We hope to help 1,000 children this year with your donation of $40 or more.
Support Youth Today, a gift of any size makes a big difference! Donate Here
Your gift goes further with our wholesale purchasing power for food and school supplies!
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CAC Helps Clients on Path to Self-Sufficiency |
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Adult Education Program - ESOL Classes
"One of our Financial Literacy Volunteers informed us that the bank where she works is hiring. We shared the news with our higher level ESOL students. Several of them are pursuing jobs there and others are engaging with our Career Center team in the hopes of finding a new job soon." says Monica Fernandez, Adult Education Director. A student in the ESOL class (English for Speakers of Other Languages) shared “Now I feel more confident to have an interview thanks to my English classes”.
Improving our clients’ English also means improving their income, and we are doing it!
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Volunteer to Help Others in Need |
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Volunteer Opportunities Available:
Financial Assistance
Food Pantry
Upscale Thrift Store
Youth Programs
Adult Education-Career Center
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Join us for the Food 'n Fun Challenge |
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Join the fun and organize a food drive anytime throughout the year. CAC provides supplemental fresh food and shelf staples to more than 500 families a month. You can help by collecting food with friends, family, school mates, your business or congregation.
In May, we will celebrate groups who collect the most food to help our neighbors in need.
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Vintage Affair - A Party with a Purpose! October 22, 2022 |
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Join the Host Committee
Be a Sponsor
Donate an Auction Item
Vintage Affair 2022, is an Ocktoberfest Celebration with German inspired foods, beer and wine as well as fun giveaways, to be held at Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters on October 22, 2022.
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Contact Us
Assistance
Food Pantry - Upscale Thrift
8607 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Client Assistance - Adult Education - Career Center - Business Office
1130 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs,GA 30350
Branch Offices
120 Northwood Drive, STE 150 Sandy Springs, GA 30342
5 Dunwoody Park South, Bldg 5 Suite 113, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Mailing Address
PO Box 501298, Atlanta, GA 31150
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Funding for CAC is provided in part by the City of Sandy Springs, Fulton County Human Services
and the United Way of Greater Atlanta.
Community Assistance Center provides basic needs assistance for neighbors to prevent homelessness and hunger while promoting self-sufficiency and empowering them to thrive.
CAC works to prevent homelessness and hunger locally with the support of 28 congregations of all faiths, public and private grants, civic organizations, schools, businesses and individuals. Supporters provide financial resources, in-kind donations and volunteer manpower.
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Shop - Donate - Volunteer |
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Offering Hope
When People Need it the Most
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