FINANCIAL CRUNCH SURVIVAL 101
There are ways to navigate a financial crunch without debt or panic. Listed below are some tips for families in a financial crunch.
The phone numbers and addresses of all resources below and more can be found by calling #211-Infoline.
The Pocket Key to Resources developed by The Cobb Collaborative also has useful information
www.cobbcollaborative.org/images/pdf/the_pocket_key_update_0906.pdf
Low Cost Family/Child Activities
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Marietta Picture Show is a 75 cent/1.50 movie theater
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Free movie rental from the Cobb County Library System
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There are many great parks in Cobb www.cobbcounty.org --parks & recreation link
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Great playgrounds at Chattahoochee River area, East Side Baptist Church, a great train to climb on at Marietta Square
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Kennesaw National Battlefield Trails and Museum
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Picnics and neighborhood potluck dinners for a game night
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After school activities which might be inexpensive are the Boys and Girl’s Club, YMCA (ask for a scholarship), 4-H,
school clubs, Big Brother’s/Big Sister’s
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Free family and/or student events at your school
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Check out Atlanta Parent and East/West Cobber magazines for event calendar
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Creative Loafing lists free events
Clothes
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Church sales and thrift stores
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MUST 7)427-9862 (for all Cobb residents, Smyrna & Marietta locations)
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Sweetwater Valley Community Action Mission Program (CAMP) only helps residents of Powder Springs, Austell, Clarkdale
and Mableton. Also has FOOD, RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE www.svcamp.org. 6289 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Austell
7)819-0662 Monday-Saturday
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The Giving Tree- 1st Saturday of every month 10am-1pm 6)618-0300-
www.allforkids.com Great clothing sale website for Cobb
Rent/Utility/Food
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Calling the 24 hour Info Line at #211 is the quickest guide for help.
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www.angelfoodministries.org or call 7)267-7015 –no income requirement
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Cobb County Department of Family and Children’s Services www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov. 325 Fairground Street, 30060, 7)
528-5000; M-F 7:30 am-5 pm Applications available online
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The Sheppard’s House 7)426-5529 186 Alexander Street Marietta box of food to anyone
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Church food pantries
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Center for Family Resources www.thecfr.org 995 Roswell Street suite 100, 30060. 7)428-2601 M-F…call for hours
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MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org/marietta; 55 Elizabeth Church Road, 30060, 7)427-9862, M-F 10-2
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Salvation Army www.salvationarmyusa.org. 202 Waterman Street, 30060,
7)422-8324 M-F 9–12, 1–4
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Tallatoona Cobb Energy 7)422-4926 . M-F 8-5 Utility assistance
Recursos Latinos & Immigrants
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International Welcome Center 50 Veterans Memorial Hwy Mableton 7)819-2373
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Catholic Social Services www.cssatlanta.com 7) 429-2369
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Culture Connect www.cultureconnectinc.org 4(627-4793 Help with translation & mentors
Holiday Help
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Thanksgiving Baskets/Cobb Christmas @ Center For Family Resources 770-428-2601 Registration is Tuesday
October 20th and Weds. 21st from 9am-4pm at Cobb Civic Center 548 South Marietta Pkwy. MUST HAVE:
Picture ID, Birth certificates or Social Security cards for ALL household members, Pay stubs for 4 weeks or separation
notice, unemployment compensation, TANF, SS and child support documents
Emergency Shelter
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The Center for Family Resources 7) 428-2601 Transitional housing for small families
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MUST 55 Elizabeth Church Road, Marietta, 30060. 7)427-9862
Six week shelter program and then can refer to transition program if family works toward this goal. Hot lunches M- F
@ noon. Budgeting/parenting/nutrition workshops, job placement, counseling and clothes closet. First come, first
served. Be on property at 5:00 to register
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Task Force for the Homeless www.homelesstaskforce.org 4)589-9495 Directs people to shelters according to situation.
Advocates with job info. 24 hr hotline 1-800-448-0636
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Battered Women’s Shelter 24 hour hotline. 7) 427-3390
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www.gahomeless.org
Housing
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Rental Access Network 7)679-4840; www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org
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Must 7)427-9862 see above info
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Salvation Army Wednesdays 9am 7)724-1652
Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) has the mortgage relief "Home Save Program"4) 377-4545
Cobb Housing Inc. 7)429-4400 has a foreclosure prevention program
The HOPE for Homeowners program refinances mortgages by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Call 1
(800) 225-5342
Habitat for Humanity www.cobbhabitat.org 7) 432-7954
Medical
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Cobb County Board of Health www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org
875 Six Flags Drive Bldg 1 Austell 6)385-1360. M-F 8-12; 1-4:30 and also at 1650 County Services Parkway, Marietta 7)5142300 M-F 8-5 --immunizations and pre-natal care.
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Luke’s Place 948 Front Street Mableton 6)945-1847 Tues. &Thurs. 5 pm-8-pm, 1st/3rd ..Saturdays 9-12
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SVCAMP Community Health Center www.chcctr.com see contact info above
Wed & Fri 9-2; Alternating Tuesday 1-5; Alternating Thurs & Sat 9-1
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Children’s Medical Services www.health.state.ga.us/programs/cms- 7)432-0112
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Early Intervention (Babies Can’t Wait) Ages birth-3 years 7)514-2759
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MUST Health Clinic…see contact info above
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Medicaid Insurance…see DFCS office info above
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Peach Care www.peachcare.org 1-877-427-3224
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Good Samaritan 7)419-3120 1605 Roberta Drive, Marietta www.goodsamcobb.org
Medical/dental/counseling/health education/social services. Appointment only. M,T, Th, F 730am-5pm & W8am5pm. Referrals to specialists. Sliding scale fee for all
Prescription Assistance
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Eli Lilly Drug Program 1-800-545-6962 or www.Lillycares.com Patient assistance
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Needy Meds www.needymeds.com Free and discount cards
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Partnership for Prescription Assistance 1-888-477-2669 or www.pparx.org
Eyeglasses
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America’s Best 7)565-6200 $70 for exam and two pair of glasses
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Zenni Optical www.zennioptical.com glasses for as low as $5.95 with prescription
Support Services
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Cobb Community Services Board for Mental health 7)422-0202
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Ridgeview Institute www.ridgeviewinstitute.com 7)434-4567 support groups
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Wellstar Hospital System www.wellstar.org Has many free support groups
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Churches have great divorce care, grief counseling & support programs are free.
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Prevention/Intervention Center through Cobb Schools refers to appropriate treatment including free assessment
7)429-5846 www.cobbk12.org/~preventionintervention
Childcare
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Cobb DFCS Child Care Info Line 7)528-5150
Legal
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Legal Aid of Cobb County 7) 528-2565
Employment
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Cobb Works! 7) 528-4300 www.cobbworks.org
Helpful Advice
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Buy food on sale along with store brands; Aldi & Food Depot less expensive than other chains
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Clip coupons and coordinate with store sales
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Pay bills on time and avoid finance/late charges
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Do all errands at a time in order to avoid excess gas usage
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Avoid convenient store shopping
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Pack a lunch for you and the kids
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Avoid soda or breakfast habits which incur a daily cost
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Be creative in seeking part time income: -walking dogs, banquet help and seasonal work, cutting lawns, babysitting,
typing, sewing, etc.
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Give your kids allowance and let them budget their own purchases
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Use strategies to lower monthly payments (i.e. terminate your land line phone, turn thermostat to 68 in winter and 78
in summer etc.)
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Call Consumer Credit Counseling at 4)527-7630 for debt consolidation
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Visit the Cobb Extension for their Surviving Tough Times Guide 7)528-4090 or at www.cobbextension.com
Distributed by Tiffaney Sorensen,Licenced Clinical Social Worker Phone: 770-656-5013,
E-mail: Tiffaney.Sorensen@cobbk12.org