At the start of each new year, people make a list of things they are going to do to improve their lives. We say we are going to eat less and work out more. Think about making resolutions that will not only help you, but help your community.
Volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need. In addition to our local schools, synagogues and churches, here’s a sampling of some local, non-profit organizations that are in need of volunteers, financial contributions and/or miscellaneous donations.
ADOPT-A-STREAM PROGRAM
(Watershed Stewardship Program)
This Cobb County program provides participants the opportunity to learn about the watershed they live in with a variety of programs designed to help people learn how to improve local water quality through hands-on activities forall ages. Free.
www.watershed.cobbcountyga.gov; 770-528-1482
ACTION MINISTRIES
Needs volunteers to help sort, pack and deliver food boxes.
Katie Farmer, Regional Director of Metro Atlanta
17 Executive Park Drive NE, Suite 540
Atlanta, GA 30329
www.actionministries.net; 706-963-0627
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Provides care to those in need. A network of generous donors, volunteers and employees who share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering.
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 250
Marietta, GA 30062
www.redcross.org; 770-578-1977
BACKPACK BLESSINGS
Provides food for elementary school children who qualify for the free meal plan and go without food on the weekends. Tony Palermo, Volunteer Crew Leader, Board Chairman
www.backpackblessings.org; 678-245-1252
CENTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS
Provides secure residential care for Cobb County’s abused and neglected children. Kimie Tinsley, Volunteer & Activities Coordinator
www.ccyakids.org; 770-333-9447
THE CENTER FOR FAMILY RESOURCES
Provides emergency assistance to families in Cobb County so that they can acquire the resources they need to become independent and self-sufficient, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty.
Alicia Ferguson, Development & Volunteer Coordinator
995 Roswell Street, Suite 100
Marietta, GA 30060
COBB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Promotes philanthropy to create and support a vital and caring community. It builds a collection of endowment funds and distributes the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that serve the community’s members.
Tommy Allegood, Executive Director
Cobb Chamber of Commerce
240 Interstate North Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339
www.cobbfoundation.com; 770-859-2329
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT—CITIZEN PANEL REVIEW
A volunteer supported program tasked with reviewing foster care cases. Joshua Weeks, Judicial Administrative Supervisor
www.cobbcountyga.gov; 770-528-2284
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT SPECIAL ADVOCATE
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer appointed by a Juvenile Court Judge to speak up for the best interest of an abused or neglected child involved in a juvenile court proceeding. Seeking volunteers for future training classes.
Carlene Redmond
www.cobbcountyga.gov; 770-528-2285
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM
This program is for first offenders with minor offenses. These juveniles are given the opportunity to appear before a panel of community volunteers instead of a judge. Volunteers are needed to serve on the panel. Training provided and required.
Rita Evans
www.cobbcountyga.gov; 770-528-2243
COBB COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Help needed with shelving and straightening paperbacks and periodicals as well as other opportunities as listed on website.
www.cobbcat.org; 770-528-2326
COBB LITERACY COUNCIL
Needs tutors for GED as well as administrative help.
Donna Frankovsky
www.cobbworks.org; 770-528-8094
THE EXTENSION
A residential recovery program for the homeless. Needs volunteers to plan, prepare and serve meals.
Tyler Driver, Executive Director & Volunteer Coordinator
1507 Church Street (Men’s Extension)
Marietta, GA 30060
130 Holiday Street (Women’s Extension)
Marietta, GA 30060
www.theextension.org; 770-590-9075 x.301
FAMILY PROMISE
Mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
Julie Binney, President
2325 Roswell Road, Building 400
Marietta, GA 30062
volunteers@familypromisecobbcounty.org
www.familypromisecobbcounty.org; 678-594-3150
FOSTER CARE SUPPORT FOUNDATION
Helps abused and neglected children experience a kinder side of daily life while in their foster care home. Volunteers needed to help in the distribution center and the resale shop 115 Mansell Place, Roswell, GA 30076
www.fostercares.org; 770-641-9591
FRIENDS FOR THE EAST COBB PARK
For the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of the only passive park in East Cobb.
Sandy Woltering, President
www.eastcobbpark.org; president@eastcobbpark.org
GEORGIA AARP TAX-AIDE
Seeks volunteers for tax counseling service between mid-January and April 15.
www.aarp.org; 1-888-687-2277
GIRLS INC. OF COBB COUNTY
Provides programs to promote self-esteem in young women. Seeks people to donate time and skills working with girls in an activity or class such as arts and crafts, computer training, sports, aerobics, and tutoring.
Talia Sylvain, Volunteer Coordinator
461 Manget Street, Marietta, GA 30060
www.girlsincatl.org; 770-422-0999
HAPPY CAPS
Volunteers make and give handmade hats to people suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment – or any medical condition – to keep their head warm, to remind them each time they wear it that there are people who care.
Happy Caps Atlanta
142 Flagstone Way, Acworth, GA 30101
contact@happycapsatlanta.org
happycapsatlanta.org; 770-653-9448
HELPING HAND FOUNDATION
Improves the lives of local families by providing support through financial assistance, resource networking, fundraising events and volunteer leadership.
Melisa White, Founder/Executive Director
3605 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 240-265
Marietta, GA 30066
www.helpinghandfoundationga.org; 770-596-8667
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF COBB—MARIETTA
Organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of members and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
505 Kennesaw Avenue
Marietta, GA 30060
www.jlcm.org; 770-422-5266
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA
Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The Foundation needs office volunteers, fundraisers and wish granters.
Kymberly Benjamin, Volunteer Manager
1775 The Exchange SE, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30339
www.georgia.wish.org; 770-916-WISH (9474)
MEALS ON WHEELS
Volunteers needed on meal delivery team. Volunteers also serve as a link of information between the client and caseworker.
Kristie Naylor, Legacy Coordinator
www.cobbseniors.org; 770-528-1445
MUST MINISTRIES
Since 1972, MUST has provided services to the poor and homeless in Cobb and Cherokee Counties.
volunteer@mustministries.org
1407 Cobb Parkway, Marietta, GA 30062
www.mustministries.org; 770-427-9862
NORTHWEST METRO ATLANTA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Strives to eliminate substandard housing in Cobb County through new home construction and existing home renovation. Also offers zero-interest loans.
Camellia Chandler
Volunteer Coordinator & Development Assistant
1625 Spring Road, Smyrna, GA 30080
www.nwmetroatlantahabitat.org; 770-432-7954 x100
PROBATION OFFICER PROGRAM
Cobb County Superior Court needs help relieving the State probation caseload. Qualified volunteers will undergo formal training.
www.cobbcountyga.gov; 770-528-7986
RALLY FOUNDATION
Empowers volunteers across the country to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. Volunteers needed for special events and fundraisers.
Maureen Barry, Volunteer Coordinator
5775 Glenridge Drive, Building B, Suite 370
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
www.rallyfoundation.org; 404-847-1270
SAFE AMERICA FOUNDATION
They distribute information, develop and facilitate programming, and support businesses and products with a focus on emerging health and safety issues at home, work and play.
Len Pagano, President
2000 First Drive, Suite 310, Marietta, GA 30062
www.safeamerica.org; 770-973-7233
SAFE KIDS COBB COUNTY
Safe Kids Cobb County is committed to reducing and preventing accidental injuries to children in Cobb County. It provides information and education on the following topics: Car and Booster Seats, Poison Prevention, Water Safety, Bicycle/Wheel Safety, Home Safety & Pedestrian Safety. Sponsors car seat checks, bike rodeos, and safety fairs.
Lisa Grisham, Safe Kids Co-Coordinator
114 Cherry Street, Suite G, Marietta, GA 30060
www.safekidscobbcounty.org; 770-793-7185
SAFEPATH CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER
Ensures a child-friendly environment in which child victims of abuse and neglect can feel safe and comfortable during the process of intervention and investigation. Caring adults are needed to greet families and supervise children in their playroom/waiting area during the day, and in the evening on Mondays and Wednesdays.
736 Whitlock Avenue, Suite 600
Marietta, GA 30064
www.safepath.org; 770-801-3465
SECOND WIND DREAMS
Second Wind Dreams is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the perception ofaging through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of educational programs including its flagship, sensitivity training,
June Rondinone
Secondwind.org; 678-624-0500 x.415
SENIORS “MOST WANTED”
Cobb County Sheriff’s program is looking for residents 55 and older to assist deputies and other staff in sheriff’s day-to-day office operations.
www.cobbcountyga.org; 770-499-4651
SIMPLE NEEDS GA
Monthly hands-on projects help the homeless and children in need. Check out website for other opportunities.
Brenda Rhodes, brenda@simpleneedsga.org
991 Industrial Park Drive
Marietta, GA 30062
www.simpleneedsga.org; 678-266-3344
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA
United Way does “whatever it takes” to help the Cobb community focus and get results on important human issues. While United Way does raise and invest dollars, it also helps people volunteer, lend their professional expertise, donate household and office items and advocate on behalf of issues.
Will Burke, Regional Director
995 Roswell Street, Suite 338
Marietta, GA 30060
www.unitedwayatlanta.org; 678-623-2883
VOICE TODAY
Voice Today aims to break the silence and cycle of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Kris Barnes, Director of Operations
3855 Shallowford Road, Suite 110
Marietta, GA 30062
www.voicetoday.org; 678-578-4888
WELLSTAR
WellStar volunteers are an integral part of the healthcare team. Volunteers provide service to the hospital while also promoting a caring attitude in the hospital and community. Volunteers interact daily with hospital team members, physicians, patients and patients’ families.
Brooke Schembri, Director of Corporate & Community Health
330 Kennestone Hospital Boulevard
Marietta, GA 30060
www.wellstar.org; 770-793-7120
YWCA OF NORTHWEST GEORGIA
The YWCA of Northwest Georgia, established in Cobb County in 1917, is an organization that works to empower, educate, advocate and unite. The YWCA’s philosophy is to stand up and speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves in the arenas of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Ms. Holly Tuchman
48 Henderson Street, SW
Marietta, GA 30064
www.ywcanwga.com; 770-427-2902
