mission:

To provide compassionate assistance to individuals and families in need in the Sandy Springs / Dunwoody area and to unite community efforts in responding to requests for assistance.

cac history:

In 1987 the Sandy Springs Ministerial Association members were faced with an increasing number of needy people asking for emergency assistance. To coordinate their efforts for more effective responses, they appointed the Community Action Commission with a mandate to organize a united response. After evaluating what other community groups and churches were doing, they decided to form the CAC as an independent, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church donated space and the agency has operated at this site since opening its doors in 1987.

CAC is a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping residents of the Sandy Springs-Dunwoody community who are experiencing financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances. CAC is a true ecumenical mission giving humanitarian assistance with no strings attached. Services are provided without regard to age, race, religion, gender, sexual preference or national origin. CAC has three programs: The Emergency Assistance Program, The Holiday Program and The Youth Enrichment Program.

The Emergency Assistance Program provides compassionate assistance to individuals in need. It is neither a supplemental income program for low-income families nor a solution to chronic financial need situations. The nature of the emergencies considered for assistance include job loss, illness, unpaid maternity leave, unusual expenses such as high medical bills and family changes such as death, divorce or separation. After a need has been established and documented, aid may be provided in the form of groceries, gently used clothing, financial assistance and referrals to other needed resources. Financial assistance is in the form of partial payments for rent, utilities, prescriptions, etc. always in the form of a check made out to a landlord, leasing company, utility company, pharmacy or other organization. Checks are never written to clients personally. These services are provided Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Holiday Program provides food baskets to clients at Thanksgiving and at Christmas, the agency has a "Santa Shop" where clients "shop" with vouchers for toys and winter coats for their children.

The Youth Enrichment Program provides school supplies to needy students at the beginning of the school year and by request. It works with local public school counselors who identify and refer needy children to our programs. And since 1998, CAC partnered with Leadership Sandy Springs and began a program to provide summer school and camp scholarships to Sandy Springs-Dunwoody youth. This is an effort to provide summer options for underprivileged children in our area.