Looking for social services in Athens, GA
July 17, 2022 8:53 AM Subscribe
How to find help for a friend who's in trouble far away?
An old work friend appears to have fallen on hard times in Athens, GA. They are currently in jail and may be living on the streets. They self-describe as bipolar. I have no idea about medication. A group of us want to help, but don't live nearby and don't have experience in helping people in this situation. Any leads on local lawyers and social workers who might be able to provide advice and help? We can crowd source some funds for short term assistance.
An old work friend appears to have fallen on hard times in Athens, GA. They are currently in jail and may be living on the streets. They self-describe as bipolar. I have no idea about medication. A group of us want to help, but don't live nearby and don't have experience in helping people in this situation. Any leads on local lawyers and social workers who might be able to provide advice and help? We can crowd source some funds for short term assistance.
Best answer: I second Nuçi's Space for mental health services. I've worked with the people there for years and even if your friend is not affiliated with the music community, they won't get turned away. Contact them or simply walk in the front door and ask to speak to someone.
Georgia Conflict Center offers a number of justice programs. They may be worth contacting for advice on legal issues.
Sparrow's Nest may be able to help with housing issues such as clothing and food. Note that they are religiously affiliated.
If you're googling for things, you might try "northeast georgia" in addition to (or instead of) "athens" just to expand the search. For example, United Way of Northeast Georgia is the branch of that organization that covers Clark and nearby counties. Also, because Athens has a patchwork of small outreach organizations, probably the best thing you can do is to telephone places and ask not just about their services but also their advice on who else to reach out to. Good luck.
posted by cyclopticgaze at 9:42 AM on July 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Georgia Conflict Center offers a number of justice programs. They may be worth contacting for advice on legal issues.
Sparrow's Nest may be able to help with housing issues such as clothing and food. Note that they are religiously affiliated.
If you're googling for things, you might try "northeast georgia" in addition to (or instead of) "athens" just to expand the search. For example, United Way of Northeast Georgia is the branch of that organization that covers Clark and nearby counties. Also, because Athens has a patchwork of small outreach organizations, probably the best thing you can do is to telephone places and ask not just about their services but also their advice on who else to reach out to. Good luck.
posted by cyclopticgaze at 9:42 AM on July 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Check out findhelp.org. It aggregates from multiple sources and agencies across lots of different categories or areas of need. You can search by ZIP code.
posted by acridrabbit at 1:33 PM on July 18, 2022
posted by acridrabbit at 1:33 PM on July 18, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
For the future, if your friend is a musician (as lots of folks in Athens are), Nuci's Space also offers free and reduced mental health services specifically aimed at musicians.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:20 AM on July 17, 2022 [2 favorites]