Giving Back: Center for Children and Young Adults
Last Christmas, our firm wanted to spend some time over the holidays giving back to our community. We looked at several different organizations that were in need of volunteers and found a wonderful center in Cobb called the Center for Children and Young Adults. “CCYA”, as it is known in the area, provides a safe and friendly home for homeless and at-risk youth ages 12-20. They have three dormitories on the campus and can provide a home for around 40 young people.
Our first encounter with CCYA had us providing a dinner for those celebrating a December birthday. We brought in BBQ and a big cake and spent the evening chatting with the youth directors and the kids. We soon realized we had stumbled upon a very special organization. Working alongside the Division of Family and Child Services, they provide more than just a bed for the night as the department works through challenging family situations. CCYA takes on the role of providing shelter, clothing, food, friendship, family, and educational support for these teens. And their campus was showing signs of giving everything they had to their residents.
After discussing the immediate needs with the CCYA team, Lance and our firm decided a make-over for the girls’ dormitory common area was of utmost importance. Second-hand furniture was in major need of repair, carpet was worn and stained, and most importantly, the dorm didn’t feel like a home. Whether the time spent at CCYA was only for a few days or for a few years, we wanted every girl to feel welcomed and loved. A feeling many of us take for granted!
Our project began March 2018. We began to a plan to replace the furniture and accessories to brighten up the dorm, but something still felt off. We realized before we replaced anything that the carpet needed to go! Our own Amanda Lavery stepped up and worked with Shaw Industries to remove the old carpet and replace with durable carpet squares. Amanda’s family has worked for Shaw for over 40 years and they were very proud to support their employees and family members in this project. What a difference new carpet made! From there, everything fell into place. Our Marketing Director, Lauren Kim, spent many tough days shopping for living room furniture and with the help of the entire team, we were able to get the projected completed just before school got out in May!
Finally, we held a big reveal of the new girl’s dormitory and end of the school year party with pizza and Steel City Pops. The girls exclaimed that their place now felt like a ‘home’ which is all we ever wanted for them. We can’t wait to spend more time hosting birthday dinners at CCYA and becoming more involved with the amazing staff and kids just around the corner from us!
CCYA has many opportunities throughout the year for organizations and individuals to volunteer. Visit them online to learn more or contact Resource Development Officer, Stephen Holland at 770-485-1639 to learn more!