By Susan Stevenot Sullivan, Staff Writer

CUMMING--Dolores Mitchell became the new director of The Place, Rural Social Services, a division of Catholic Social Services (CSS), during the agency’s 20th anniversary year.

The former executive director of Forsyth County’s battered women’s shelter “Family Haven,” Ms. Mitchell was already familiar with the community and with some of The Place’s clients when she started in March of this year.

The Place served thousands of people in 1994, most of them residents of Forsyth County. In an average week, Ms. Mitchell said, more than 50 people are assisted by the outreach efforts she supervises.

“The mission of The Place is to listen compassionately to those deprived of basic needs and together with them find creative ways to alleviate their sufferings,” she said.

Emergency assistance is the core program, according to Ms. Mitchell. It makes available immediate assistance, such as money for rent or medication, while working to change long-term problems facing the client. Clients are encouraged to “work off their bill” doing volunteer work at The Place.

The food pantry and the Noon Meal programs deal with hunger while the agency’s thrift shop offers clothing, furniture and household goods.

The elderly assistance program includes home visits to ensure that medical, food and utility needs are being met.

EPIC, Effective Parenting Information for Children, attempts to teach parenting skills which enhance the self-esteem of the children and encourage responsible behavior and decision-making skills. The Youth Enrichment Program also builds self-esteem with the Saturday programs during the summer and holidays for children age six to 15.

The Hispanic Outreach program assists Hispanic immigrants by providing advocates and referral sources during their cultural adjustment.

The Cash Match Fuel Fund and the Medical Fund help qualified individuals with vital commodities.

The agency’s Helpline, funded by United Way, provides help to Forsyth County residents seeking access to any of the assistance resources in the North Georgia community.

More than 50 volunteers, a board of consulters, staff of seven and the support of CSS make these programs function, Ms. Mitchell said.

Volunteers help with everything from fundraising to collecting food donated by local grocery stores.

Since she took over as director Ms. Mitchell has changed the schedule at the agency, so that it is open six, instead of five, days a week. Sunday is the only day The Place is closed.

She said she is also looking at other ways to serve the community better. Dental assistance for low-income clients is one area being explored.

“There are so many people, many are young people, walking around with no teeth,” Ms. Mitchell said. “Not being able to chew--what a horrible thing to have to live with most of your life.”

Ms. Mitchell, who is originally from Connecticut, has lived in the Atlanta area for 38 years. She has two sons, both Marist School graduates who also live in the area, and two grandchildren.

“It keeps me busy and I love it,” Ms. Mitchell said of her various duties.

The Place is located at 1480 Bettis Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, Ga. 30130. For information call (706) 887-1098.