Sledgehammer Ceremony Kicks Off CAC Renovations In Sandy Springs

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- More than 100 people descended onto the Community Assistance Center this week to commemorate the start of renovations planned for its offices in Sandy Springs.

The sledgehammer ceremony was held Wednesday, Aug. 16, kicking off the project that will allow for the expansion of services to help less fortunate residents in Sandy Springs as well as Dunwoody.

Guests included early supporters of the organization's Building Hope $2 million campaign, which supports the purchase and renovation of the Hightower Trail building, expansion of programs and the addition of two satellite locations (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

At the one year mark of the three-year campaign, supporters to date have contributed $1.525 million so far toward the $2 million goal. Strong early support from CAC’s board of directors, volunteers, member congregations and many individuals and foundations has been instrumental in CAC’s ability to secure additional, larger gifts. Among supporters and dignitaries in the audience were Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul; Elizabeth Kelly, president of The Sandy Springs Society and Dr. Joe B. Martin of Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church.

The city of Sandy Springs has provided human services grants to CAC each year since 2005 while The Sandy Springs Society, a philanthropic community organization, has provided grants for programs and equipment annually. For its part, Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, which helped to establish CAC in 1987, housed the operations for many years on its campus and has continued to provide financial, in-kind and volunteer support.

CAC maintains the same mission today that was established 30 years ago: to provide basic needs and to promote self-sufficiency. Since 1987, the organization has become a valued resource in the community assisting neighbors in need seeking help with food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance for rent and/or utilities to prevent homelessness.

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When it purchased the current building at 1130 Hightower Trail in 2005, the additional space allowed CAC to expand basic services and establish its educational program to promote self-sufficiency among its clients.

The Building Hope initiative will allow the organization to take the next steps its needs to reach and serve more residents and families with a larger food pantry and two satellite sites, expand programs with more classes and a new job center and to increase sustaining revenue through thrift shop sales at the CAC Boutique.

Image via Community Assistance Center