A troubled young mom posted a harrowing plea on a private, members-only Marietta neighborhood message site I belong to the other night.
“Does anybody know of some really cheap motels?” she asked close to midnight. “I just got in an argument with the person I live with and I’m trying to find a place for me and my 8-month-old daughter to stay. I don’t have much money.”
Another poster suggested kicking out the guy she was living with; she responded that wasn’t an option. By 1:30 a.m., though, she let everyone know that a friend had taken her in. Crisis averted, for the moment.
Many of my neighbors offered to help, and lots of folks recommended she reach out to the YWCA of Northwest Georgia, which operates a domestic violence shelter for women and children in an undisclosed Cobb County location, and provides a wide range of services for assault victims. The 24-hour crisis line is 770-427-3390.
The Y’s $7.18 million capital campaign, launched in 2010, has paid for 12 new transitional housing apartments and the expansion and renovation of counseling and training facilities and other projects. Now the organization seeks to raise $125,000 to secure a matching $500,000 grant from a philanthropic foundation.
"This final bit of support will help women and children who need a fresh start, starting with the simplest thing: a safe place away from abuse," said Christy Rosell, a member of the YWCA of Northwest Cobb's Academy of Women Leaders and a past honoree of the Y's annual Tribute to Women of Achievement fundraiser. "A donation with any amount will be a huge help."
Full disclosure: I was honored at the YWCA of Northwest Georgia's Tribute fundraiser in 2010 and have supported the organization as I've been able to over the years. I mailed a gift last week. If you'd like to consider doing so, the link for online donations is bit.ly/1h4mRWS and the address if you'd like to send a donation is 48 Henderson St., Marietta, GA 30064.
Filming updates
Summertime and the living is busy, for Atlanta's filmmaking community. Cop drama "Triple Nine" with Aaron Paul, Kate Winslet, Norman Reedus, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck and Chiwetel Ejiofor; mean-girl teen flick "The D.U.F.F." with Bella Thorne, Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell; "Insurgent," the second in the teen sci-fi "Divergent" trilogy, with Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller and the aforementioned Winslet; and "Selma" with Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo, Common (and producer Oprah Winfrey in a cameo role) are among the projects rolling in metro Atlanta.
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