Regional nonprofit Advocates for Children opens Marietta location

Advocates for Children, a nonprofit for prevention of child abuse and neglect, is expanding with a new location in Marietta. Following a ribbon cutting and open house, the nonprofit is now open at 375 Franklin Gateway, Ste. 460 to better serve the Cobb community.

For three years, Advocates has been serving in North Cobb, but needed to be more centrally located, have access to the bus line and have a closer connection to referring organizations. Locations in Bartow and Gordon Counties also help serve the 11-county Northwest Georgia region.

The Advocates for Children Cobb County location focuses on several programs for both families and youth who often struggle in poverty and need stabilization. Referrals from the Division of Family Resources, schools and other nonprofits help keep families intact by partnering with Advocates. A Family Resource Center, in-home parenting education and an expansive Safe Place program are offered.

Family Resource Center

Many families in danger of losing their children to foster care are struggling with poverty issues and don’t know what resources are available to help. Advocatess provides Family Navigators to guide parents to housing referrals, food assistance, childcare solutions and job opportunities.

Basic needs like clothing, toiletries, household cleaning items, diapers and other necessities are provided through generous Advocates donors and grants. A clothes closet and emergency food supply help families meet immediate needs while discovering other long-term resources, establishing consistent work and/or moving to a more stable living environment.

In-home Parent Education

Parent educators work with families to ensure parenting skills, safety and relationships are in place. With free in-home education, caregivers can receive important parenting skills, emergency financial aid and life skills.

Simple, practical strategies help manage children’s behavior and build strong, healthy relationships. Focusing on social and behavioral development, the curriculum instills confidence in sustaining family management.

With instruction and guidance from Advocates’ professional educators, families can create a positive, nurturing environment that allows the family to grow together and maintain a sustainable family foundation.

Safe Place/Runaway and Homeless Youth

Advocates manages nine counties in the Safe Place national program, the first step for any youth in crisis or at risk to get immediate help. This vital community collaboration makes it possible for kids to access urgent assistance at locations throughout their community, including fast food restaurants, gas stations, fire stations, libraries, bus stops and grocery stores displaying the vibrant yellow and black Safe Place signs.

Through countless hours of collaboration, Advocates has extended significant outreach in Cobb, including five additional stationary Safe Place sites and 120 additional mobile Safe Place sites. The new Safe Place sites include The Table on Delk, Cobb Works, Hilton Inn of Kennesaw, Advocates’ Cobb location in Marietta and Cobb Linc Transit, all critical in assisting us in providing services to at-risk youth and families.

In addition, Cobb Linc has awarded Advocates the opportunity of being the first large-scale mobile transportation Safe Place site so every bus is a safe place and will transport youth to a stationary site for immediate assistance from Advocates.

Ways to Help

Volunteers are always needed for the coordination of clothing and food stock. Go to advochild.org volunteers to sign up or email Alicia@advochild.org.

Donations help continue this vital program and can be made online. It’s an easy way to help families struggling in poverty or desiring to keep their families safe and healthy.

Items for distribution include nonperishable foods, clothing, shoes, diapers, jackets, new underwear and socks, toiletries and cleaning supplies.