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ATLANTA—When Catholic Social Services Doraville regional
office was destroyed by fire May 15, the St. Vincent de Paul Society was quick
to respond.
Following meetings between Sheila Bissonnette, executive director
of SVdP, Sandra Hollett, CSS executive director, and Yvette Monroy, CSS program
director of regional offices, private office space was arranged for CSS staff
Annie Trujillo and Carmen Morales, who had been working at the Doraville
office.
Trujillo, the office director, and Morales, the job development
coordinator, are now working at 2050 Chamblee Tucker Road, within two miles of
the burned-out offices and near the clients they have been serving. The
arrangement is initially structured for three months.
The phone number remains (770) 454-6068. The office is open to the
public on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 4
p.m.
“As part of the larger Catholic family, we are happy we could
assist a sister organization,” said Bissonnette. “A few years ago
SVdP experienced a fire at the Doraville thrift store. The community responded
to our needs and we are grateful to be able to respond positively to CSS.”
The Society and CSS provide complementary services and frequently
refer clients to one another. CSS helps clients search for viable employment
and SVdP provides temporary financial, food and clothing assistance.
SVdP’s Learning Center Program, housed in the Council office, offers free
Life Skills workshops and basic computer programs to increase students’
marketability. A portion of that program’s classroom and meeting area has
been cleared to accommodate the CSS staff and their clients.
“We’ve found ways to share space and ensure both of our
organizations continue to work effectively by rotating class locations and
staff and office assignments,” Bissonnette said. “We’ve also
arranged for CSS to have their own office entrance and the fact that our client
load decreases in the summer months will help alleviate the feelings of
closeness often produced in situations such as these.”
An early morning fire, suspected to be arson, destroyed the CSS
branch office building and another building used for mission outreach. Both are
adjacent to Our Lady of the Americas Mission, 5918 New Peachtree Road. The
church was not damaged. |
