To provide emergency, one-time assistance to families in crisis
Assistance League of Atlanta, an all-volunteer, charitable organization that helps improve the lives of children and adults in need, proudly announces the launch of Outreach, its eighth philanthropic program. Designed to provide a flexible, rapid-response approach to fulfilling specific community needs that do not fit within other Assistance League programs, Outreach addresses needs on a one-time-only basis.
The Outreach program is intended to address emergency situations, and, therefore, cannot go to the same recipient more than once in a three-year cycle. “We are excited about this new program because it gives us the opportunity to meet critical needs of adults and children in emergency situations,” said Tobi Cohen, Assistance League of Atlanta president. “It also helps us identify unmet needs for the development of future philanthropic programs and attract volunteers interested in the expanded diversity of our responses to community needs.”
Recently, Project Kids Eat in Norcross (which Assistance League serves with in-kind donations of surplus cuddly toys) identified a critical need to provide feminine hygiene pads for middle school girls in the low-income Meadowcreek cluster of Gwinnett County. These middle school girls were missing school for several days a month because they couldn’t afford sanitary products.
Assistance League stepped in and ordered $1,000 worth of feminine hygiene pads to fill this immediate and urgent need. Supplies were delivered to Louise Radloff Middle School and then distributed from there to two other schools in the cluster: Lilburn and Sweetwater Middle Schools. “Louise Radloff Middle School is extremely appreciative of the attention Assistance League of Atlanta has provided to our young ladies,” said Lisa Wells, parent community counselor. “So often these basic needs are overlooked. We are grateful for the care and concern you have shown as we work together to build our community and support our students.”
Enabling these girls to stay in school and concentrate on studies fits well with Assistance League’s commitment to education as the pathway out of poverty. More than 75 percent of the organization’s philanthropic program budget supports the education of children, teens and college students as well as providing vocational training for homeless adults re-entering the workforce and building an independent life.
About Assistance League of Atlanta
Founded in 1982, Assistance League of Atlanta is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has improved the lives of more than 488,000 children and adults in need locally by working through a network of educational institutions, social agencies, hospitals and emergency services. Using proceeds from its Attic Treasures Thrift Shop (located at 3534 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341) as well as donations and grants, the organization provides clothing, household goods, comfort items, hygiene kits, and educational aid to children, families, and adults affected by homelessness, abuse and poverty. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, visit our website, AssistanceLeagueATL.org.
