Box 3, Folder 13, Document 42

Box 3, Folder 13, Document 42

Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.

O A 101 Marietta Street Bldg. © Atlanta, Georgia 30303 e
T. M. Parham

Executive Administrator

TWO NEW EOA PROGRAMS FOR ATLANTA'S CITIZENS

Because so many people ask "What can I do," and "How can I
find out what's going on," EOA is offering two programs to help
them learn first hand and to become involved.

The week of January 12 wiil be proclaimed START NOW ATLANTA
week to alert citizens to the city's needs and to introduce the

two programs.
i. FIND OUT

One program is run by poverty area residents who want to show
other Atlantans what progress they have made in tneir neignhbornoods
and what obstacles they still face. Twenty-two residents have
volunteered to lead tours through their neighborhoods. They call
themselves V. I. P.‘'s or Volunteer information People, and are

members of EOA neighborhood self help groups in 14 low income areas
served by EOA neighborhood centers.

One of the V. I. P.’s described their purpose this way:

"We're tired of them people coming through here
shaking their heads about the rats and garbage
and nasty shacks and not seeing us. Since we
learned how, we've did more for ourselves than
anyone have did for us and we're going to do
more. We're people too. Some of us have a lot
of talent. After we get off our jobs, we spend
most of our hours working to make our neighborhoods
better. We want to talk with pedple who come
through here. Maybe if we work with eacn other
we can get rid of this load. It ain‘t good for

none of us."

Groups or individuals interested in scheduling visits to
poverty areas should call 525-4262. For further information con-

tact:

Mrs. Mary Lu Mitchell

Director of Public Information
Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.
101 Marietta Street, N. W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Telephone: 525-4262


Ii. VOLUNTEER

The other program provides new volunteer jobs for Atlantans
who want to help poverty area residents remove the obstacles they
still face.

In the past volunteers have been used to supplement pro-
fessional staffs. This rich resource of skill, enthusiasm and
ability has not been fully utilized.

EOA will offer sensitivity training and coordination for:

l. Volunteers who want specific assignments at agencies
or centers.

2. Volunteers who are innovative enough to develop
their own programs.

3. Volunteers who want to work in partnership with
block groups in a low income area.

4. Volunteers who want to work witn their own friends
and neighbors in changing attitudes and studying
specific problems.

The first training program will be conducted by the Multi-
Purpose Training Center on January 22,23, and 24.

Groups or individuals interested in volunteering should call
525-4262. For further information contact:

Mrs. June Sammons

Volunteer Coordinator

Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.
101 Marietta Street, N. W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Telephone: 525-4262