Two Groups Unite to Work on Community Project

11/11/02

By Laura Susan Bamberg
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

AUSTELL - The Cobb Bar Association and New Friendship Baptist Church spent Saturday morning volunteering for the Cobb Community Services Board Adopt-A-Room project.

The Cobb Community Services Board asked organizations throughout the county for help last week in decorating rooms in its Austell location, and the two groups immediately responded.

The CSB provides day programs for residents suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.

Gina Cogswell, director of residential services for the CSB, said the primary reason people should volunteer is to offset the stigma attached to people with mental illnesses.

"I think with substance abuse there seems to be a sense among the general public that it's a condition they choose - to take a drink or get hooked on cocaine," she said. "There is a greater problem at stake, which is addiction."

Cogswell added patients with mental illness possibly face an even greater challenge.

"People don't understand the concept and it's hard to deal with something you don't understand," she said. "Society just hasn't come to grips with illnesses like schizophrenia."

Cindi Yeager, a member of the Cobb Bar Association and a partner in the firm of Bowers, Guerra and Yeager, agrees wholeheartedly.

Yeager said she sees cases involving drug addiction and mental illness every day, and that's what prompted her to encourage the bar to get involved after she heard about volunteer needs at CSB.

"I initiated this because I've always been a part of community volunteer work," she said. "I do a lot of pro bono work for drug addiction and mental illness cases, and there's a huge need for help for these people in Cobb County."

Yeager said defense attorneys see a need for places like the Love Street in Austell day program location.

"Plus, the bar is trying to give back more to the community," she said. "I would encourage more volunteers because any time we can help these people help themselves, it affects the community."

Yeager said assisting mentally ill people or those with drug addiction problems in any way, even decorating a room to create a more cheerful presence, can lead to less crime and violence.

But the primary reason she encourages civic groups and individuals to pitch in for Adopt-A-Room and other needs at CSB is that it gives patients assurance.

"Any time they see other people are willing to help, it gives them hope," Yeager said. "They know other people want them to succeed."

Rachel Robinson, a representative of CSB and a member of New Friendship Baptist Church in Powder Springs, said she first brought the idea of volunteering up at a youth group meeting.

"I wanted something to teach them to give," she said. "I felt it was a good cause and presented it to the entire church, and they were interested."

The Cobb Community Services Board is one of 26 in Georgia and provides services to both Cobb and Douglas counties, Cogswell said.

"Every year, we experience funding cuts and have less resources," Cogswell said. "We serve both adolescents and adults, typically the uninsured or the working poor. We serve about 12,000 annually."

Cobb CSB is funded by a contract with the state regional board, Medicaid, the private sector, limited grants and the county and operates under an $18 million budget.

Mary Robeck, volunteer coordinator for the CSB, said there are certain qualities good volunteers must meet. "They have to be people who like to work with people," she said. "We're constantly looking for more."

For more information on the Cobb Community Services Board or volunteer opportunities, contact the CSB at (770) 429-5000.