Sample article written for the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
Women Helping Women
GABWA had a great time at the last meeting! We were enlightened about Atlanta’s various needs by an outstanding panel of guests and members of various community organizations that help women. The highlighted organizations were Sister to Sister, Aid Atlanta, Civil Pro Bono Project, Eastlake Project, YWCA of Greater Atlanta, Cascade House, and GABWA’s own Committee for Community Service.
But the titles only tell so much. What made the discussion really hit home for GABWA members were the individual inspirational, yet often painful, stories the panelists told us.
The Civil Pro Bono Project assists incarcerated mothers, especially those who have been deprived of their parental rights. The program provides legal seminars at each of the 3 local prisons, directs legal assistance through volunteer attorneys, helps the women keep in contact with relatives, and assists them in staying in contact with the legal system. The panelist was a strong young woman who was just released from prison last year. Her rights to her son were almost terminated while she was incarcerated. She learned how to keep records and contact logs. She even had to learn how to do the seemingly simple things like obtaining access to stamps, paper, and copying equipment. Because of her diligence, she didn’t lose her right to her son.
The YWCA of Greater Atlanta is the only homeless women’s shelter in the area that allows women to bring their older/teenage boys up to age 17. The homeless women are domestic violence survivors and mothers. Often faced with leaving their child with an abusive partner, the YWCA serves a great need. Because the YWCA can only serve up to 18 people, 5 mothers and their children, they hope to open an emergency shelter soon. The YWCA offers transitional housing, from 6 to 18 months. The panelist who spoke to us is a domestic violence survivor herself. She told us her harrowing story of abuse and escape from her abusive ex-husband, a police officer. She understands firsthand what the women she helps have been through, and is committed to helping them find a way out as well.
