By Mary Lackie

The Volunteer Task Force offers a challenge to Atlantans to step over the line and get involved—helping the poor to help themselves.

“This is where the thin line in volunteer work lies—you can give things—but when you give yourself and your time, it makes a difference in your life and in the lives of others,” said Mrs. Frances Hynes of Christ the King parish, who describes herself as “just a volunteer.”

“Men and women who have the time and talents have never been able to use them in this area because we have been separated from the poor. We have to come together first—and this is a painful process. We are frustrated by the first insight into the deep evils of our society,” said Mrs. Eleanor Bockman, a member of the task force program.

“Never has there been a time when we have had so many volunteers working with professionals,” she said. “This is where the Church-oriented people in today’s society show not only concern but their sincere attempts to alleviate the problems of the poor.”

The Volunteer Task Force draws its members from all areas of the city—there are no age limits, educational requirements or entrance fees, said Mrs. Elinor Metzger, program director. “The members must have a deep interest in people and respect the dignity of those with whom they work.”

Mrs. Spalding J. Schroder, a volunteer in a day care center said, “We are all so enthusiastic we wonder why in the world more people don’t get involved. The supervision is wonderful, and the program gives you a whole new outlook—you’re not so opinionated; you understand people better.”

“My first reaction was that I will spread myself too thin, that I shouldn’t leave my own neighborhood because there is so much to be done here,’ said Mrs. Mary Rauton. She recognized this negative response covered a deep fear of getting hooked in a commitment “I couldn’t live up to.”

Like many volunteers, Mrs. Rauton found that the experience led to a deeper reality—I had always lived in one section of town and knew little about other people in other environments.” With a friend, Mrs. Alex W. Smith, the women planned a music program two days a week at a day care center for pre-school children.

After only a few hours a week, she came to realize that participation was only “ a token commitment.” She said. “The first day the children sat around us and sang their favorite song,” ‘Jesus Loves Me”, and I remembered my children at home and thought, who is poorer, these or my own? I have never spent this much time with my own little children just singing and enjoying them and letting them enjoy me,” Mrs. Rauton said.

“I didn’t want to talk anymore,” said Mrs. Joseph Gatlins, “I wanted to do something.” She enrolled in the task force program and works with Mrs. Jane Wilkes of St. Philip’s Cathedral in a home management project for women in the Summerhill-Mechanicsville area. In preparation for her volunteer job, Mrs. Gatlins brought home surplus food, and using recipes provided by the program, she “tried out menus on my own family. I will be the gourmet of the property program,” she said. Like many volunteers, she is enthusiastic about the training course, and anxious to begin work.

“It’s a terrific way to work with people of other faiths,’ said Mrs. Mimi Fenlon, a volunteer since the first training program ended fall. She is working in a day care center at Bethlehem Baptist church with Mrs. Dot Commins of The Temple under the supervision of Miss Emma Pace. “Working in the centers you have an opportunity to see firsthand the need of our community,” said Mrs. Fenlon.

Mrs. Alice Harris and Mrs. Julie Hummel of St. Jude’s parish, who have 11 children between them, work in a day care center—“I guess,” said Mrs. Harris,” I work with children because all I know are little children.” The women try to plan things the teachers couldn’t do, “If we weren’t there to help,” she said. As part of an enrichment program, the volunteers took small groups of children for a train ride from Rich’s to Emory. “We rode the train three weeks in a row,” said Mrs. Harris.

“I just try to listen to peoples problems,” said Mrs. Catherine Warren of Radcliffe United Presbyterian Church. As a friendly visitor in the task force program, she visits invalids and sometimes, “just people who need reassurance, who need to know that somebody cares about them.” With her help, a blind woman who had been afraid to walk took her first steps.

In the Vine City center, which was closed temporarily due to a lack of funds, Mrs. Ann Miles of St. Peter and Paul parish tries to help with teenage boys who would like to keep up their school-work. “There are some exceptionally bright students here,” she said, “you can spot them right off—but they need help to keep in school.” She feels that the volunteer is only an instrument who can be used to fill a need. “The whole organization is outstanding,” she said.

“There are no more dedicated workers than the EOA professional people, said another volunteer. One of the professionals, Miss O.L Dixon said, “There is growth, both personally and racially (in this program) that helps the whole city of Atlanta. Residents here know that successful people are really sincerely interested in them.”

Both staff members and volunteers agree that the program takes patience. Volunteers sometimes feel that they are not doing the most exciting job, but it is meaningful. They are working with people, and since many of them can come down for only a few hours a week, they must remember that you can’t put people in a package and just open it once a week. Sometimes, in an agency, we have to give volunteers work that can be completed in the time that they are here,” said Mrs. Hilda Wilson coordinator of volunteers.

She added that, “The little pieces of work when they are fitted together, added up—in one month since the program started, 28 volunteers offered more than 600 hours of their time.”

“We can us all the people we can get,’ said C.O Emmerich, EOA director. “The strength of any program is total involvement—the response is the fine thing about Atlanta.”

The Volunteer Task Force is supposed to be working itself out of business. “The Atlanta EOA cannot and doesn’t want to depend on the federal government totally,” said Mrs. May Lu Mitchell, publicity director. “The volunteer task force can take over and work through church groups and organizations.”

The task force is a pilot program—funded for one year by the EOA and initiated by the Community Council. It covers 12 target areas in the city and Fulton County with offices in Gwinnett and Rockdale. Volunteers are scattered throughout the community and their work involves a wide variety of projects.” There is almost anything a volunteer can find to do and be creative,” said Mrs. Haynes. All are tangible ways that men and women can participate in the community.

The next training program for volunteers begins March 27 at the Palmer House, 430 Techwood Dr. N.W. It will meet on Monday and Wednesday, 9:30-2:30 p.m. for three weeks (six sessions). This will be followed by three weeks on the job training.