After Dorothy Ballard's employer eliminated her position, she and her 10-year-old daughter were facing eviction.
Through DFACS, Dorothy was put in touch with Rockdale Emergency Relief (RER), a
United Way community partner that provides short-term, emergency financial assistance to families who
live or work in Rockdale County.
RER helped Dorothy with her rent and electric bill. Dorothy was then able to find a part-time job, one that
allowed her to care for her daughter and return to school. Still, achieving self-sufficiency on a reduced
income presents challenges. In Dorothy's experience, "Once you get behind, it's almost impossible."
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This fall, however, Rockdale residents in similar situations will have a new alternative. "Phoenix Pass
would have made things easier" for Dorothy, acknowledges Ashley Roesler, who oversees this initiative of
RER. Its mission is to meet the needs of homeless women and children in Rockdale County by providing a
residential setting where they can develop social networks and reestablish self-sufficiency.
Participants will graduate to stable, permanent housing within two years, and then contribute the education
and guidance they have received back to the community.
"Women like Dorothy give to our community by working, paying taxes and raising their children here,"
Ashley states. "Our community should embrace them."
"I was on my way out the door."
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