By Susan Stevenot Sullivan, Staff Writer

ATLANTA--The Christian Emergency Help Centers (CEHC) in Atlanta will make the organization’s 10 years of service to the community byrenaming their main office “The Sullivan Center” after Dominican Sister Marie Sullivan at a fundraising luncheon on May 9.

Sister Sullivan, executive director and founder of CEHC, remains committed to its ministry to the poor. The Sullivan Center’s mission includes providing short-term financial assistance as well as the opportunity to acquire long-term skills through financial counseling, employment training and computer-coordinated referral services.

The center’s motto, “Where charity is just the first step,” underscores Sister Sullivan’s concept that assistance ultimately enables the recipient to become self-reliant and free of dependence on subsidies. Assistance is offered to low-income individuals and families of all ethnic, racial, national, cultural and religious backgrounds.

While pleased with the honor the organization’s board has bestowed on her, Sister Sullivan is hoping that the luncheon will raise badly needed funds.

“We are trying to interest people in helping our cause,” she said. “The need is growing and the resources are getting shorter. Rents are increasing and many of these people are spending 50 to 75 percent of their income on shelter and utilities, which doesn’t leave much for other necessities.”

“Thousands seek help at the center each year. In fiscal year July 1993 to June 1994, the center met 513 requests. However, 2,696 additional requests for rent and mortgage aid, for a total of more than $1 million, were unmet. The center also disbursed thousands of dollars for help in paying electricity, gas or water bills.

The center functions with a staff of 10. Caseworkers review each application for assistance and provide counseling and referrals.

The center is used by many individuals, businesses and charitable organizations as a distribution center for donations which may include clothing, money and food.

Another facet of the center’s outreach is helping other communities to organize similar centers to meet their needs. The center has also helped other organizations, such as churches, to effectively pool their resources to provide assistance in their communities.

Two new programs the center offers are directed at assisting refugees and migrants. One program deals with crime prevention and appropriate response to crime and social and economic self-sufficiency with emphasis on the needs and roles of women and children.

Sister Sullivan has served the poor the 12 years she has been in Atlanta through involvement in several organizations including the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Neighborhood Justice Center, the Achor Center for homeless women and CEHC.

A Dominican for 44 years and a native of Chicago, she previously spent 18 years teaching and working in social service ministry before coming to Atlanta.

The 11:30 a.m. luncheon will be held at Peachtree Christian Church, 1580 Peachtree Street, NW at Spring Street. Tickets are $10 each. For information call CEHC at 753-0533.

The Sullivan Center is located at 1332 Stewart Avenue, SW and is open Monday through Friday until 4:30 p.m.