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2 | Community
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Intensive Out-Patient
Program
Bright Path GPS OOP) is an intensive out-patient program for individuals
(young adults and seniors) who are in need of a structured environment to
continue to work toward overcoming mental health, behavioral health, and/
or substance abuse concerns and who find benefits from engaging in an
Intensive Out-Patient Program OOP). Mental Health affects people physically
and emotionally. Our programming treats the entire body through Health
and Wellness options for recovery.
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
10:30am - 3:00pm
Reimbursed Out-of-Network
Transitional Housing Available
Adjunct Therapies Available
The Bright Path GPS Program
has earned the Joint Commission’s
Gold Seal of Approval’
Bright Path GPS | 347 Carpenter Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 303281404-200-1925
www.BrightPathProgram.com
Bright Path
Including:
CBT, DBT, and
Holistic Program
Options
Where students pursue their passions and
are challenged to reach their full potential.
805 Mount Vernon Hwy NW, Atlanta
PK3-12 • Learnmoreathies.org
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City Council awards CARES Act
grants to eight nonprofits
BY BOB PEPALIS
The City Council on Oct. 26 awarded $50,000 grants to eight not-for-profit organiza
tions that serve vulnerable members of the city’s population.
Assistant City Manager Jay Vinicki said the original budget from the federal Coro-
navirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for the grants was set at
$300,000. Another $100,000 was designated from the city’s contingency fund to make
awards to all eight organizations.
The city will have its applications and requirements for small business CARES Act
relief assistance at its next meeting on Nov. 9, Mayor Lynn Deutsch said.
About two weeks ago the city sent out a call for applications for grants between
$10,000 and $50,000, he said. The grantees help those who are homeless, food deprived
or have mental health issues, he said.
Grant awards were made to:
■ Community Assistance Center: rent reimbursement for Dunwoody residents
■ Corners Outreach: educational efforts, rent relief and food
■ Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb: expenses for fami
lies for hotel rooms, childcare services and enhanced cleaning
■ I Care Atlanta: food purchases, vehicle expenses for food donation
pickups and deliveries
■ Jewish Family & Career Services: mental health services and food
pantry expansion
■ Malachi’s Storehouse: food, increased freezer capacity and utility costs
■ The Summit Counseling Center: client assistance funds
■ Society of St. Vincent de Paul: rent/utility reimbursement for
Dunwoody residents
Community Assistance
Center CEO to retire
BY JOHN RUCH
Tamara Carrera, who has led the Community As
sistance Center since 1997, has announced her re
tirement.
Carrera plans to remain on board until a new
CEO is in place, according to a press release.
CAC is a nonprofit that helps people at risk of
homelessness and hunger in Sandy Springs and
Dunwoody. It is based in Sandy Springs’ North End.
It was founded in 1987 by 10 local religious congre
gations of various faiths “looking to provide and
centralize assistance to address growing poverty in
the community despite the area’s developing afflu
ence,” the release said.
According to the press release, Carrera was the
driving force behind CAC’s growth from a small
charity initially housed at a scout hut at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church cam
pus, providing food and clothing to about 280 families a year, to the go-to emergency
assistance agency in the community serving more than 6,500 individuals a year from
3,000 households. The organization has seen a massive increase in demand during the
pandemic.
Carrera joined CAC as a volunteer in 1993, an in 1997 was hired as its fourth director.
“Tamara’s outstanding leadership has put CAC on the national map as an exempla
ry model of a successful nonprofit assistance agency,” said CAC Board President Nan
cy Berger. “For 23 years, Tamara has championed the needs of our lower-income fami
lies and those who fall on hard times. She will be missed at CAC and in the community.”
The CAC’s board of directors “has been hard at work for over a year getting ready for
this transition,” according to the press release. A formal search was expected to begin
in early November.
SPECIAL
Tamara Carrera.
DUN
