PAD is an Atlanta nonprofit that offers help instead of police response or jail for people dealing with extreme poverty, substance use, or mental health problems. You can ask for a PAD team by calling 311. PAD also gives case management to people diverted by law enforcement or with open court cases.
Essence of Hope is an Atlanta nonprofit that has helped people with housing and support since 2007. It offers housing for people who are homeless, veterans, people coming home from jail or prison, and people finishing court programs. It also helps with case management, job readiness, and benefits sign-up.
This is the office that prosecutes felony crimes in DeKalb County. Its Victim Services staff guide and support people hurt by crime, give crisis counseling, send court notices, and make referrals. The office also runs diversion programs that let some people avoid a regular prosecution.
This is a Fulton County department that runs behavioral health clinics and day programs at sites around the county. Adults can get outpatient care, children and young people can be seen by appointment, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can join day programs at training centers.
The Georgia Department of Community Supervision watches over people on state parole or probation in Georgia. Its reentry staff help people leaving prison or under supervision find housing, work, and mentoring. The Atlanta field office serves Fulton County.
Maze of Life Resource Center offers counseling, life skills and coaching, and classes that courts, probation, parole or child-welfare caseworkers may require. Adults, young people and families can come in person or join online. The Georgia office on Park Lake Drive is in northeast Atlanta, and all services are also offered in Spanish.
The Life Unit is a nonprofit that helps people affected by jail or prison. It runs a free weekly online support group, a re-entry course, mentoring for young men ages 12 to 25, and court diversion classes for people who could face jail. It was started by a formerly incarcerated man.
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is the state agency for young people in the juvenile justice system, up to age 21. It runs probation, case management, and programs for youth in its care, such as mental health care, substance use treatment, school, and chaplain services. Its Office of Victim Services helps crime victims with information, release notices, compensation applications, and restitution updates.
This Fulton County department offers counseling and mental health care for adults, children and teens at several sites around the county. It also runs weekday day programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Call 404-612-8400 to ask about any of its services.
Georgia Justice Project helps people in Georgia who have been affected by the criminal legal system. It offers free legal help, such as defense lawyers for some Fulton and DeKalb cases, record clearing, and help ending probation early. It also gives social service support and teaches the public about records, voting rights and work licenses. It cannot help everyone who applies.
LifeChangers, Inc. is a nonprofit that helps men and women who have been in the justice system and people returning home. It offers free job workshops, a free one-year mentorship program, a resource directory, and a place to complete court-ordered community service. Its workshops teach job searching, applications, resumes, and interviews.
This is the Fulton County office of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, in East Point. The state agency supervises and helps young people involved with the juvenile courts, using case management and probation. The pages do not list exactly which services this office runs or when it is open.
This is the Fulton County District Attorney's office, led by Fani T. Willis. It has divisions for domestic violence cases and for special victims cases such as sexual assault and child abuse. The pages show the team and news about its cases, but give no steps for getting help.
Survivors Outreach Center (also called Calm & Caring) is an office in Marietta. It offers alcohol and drug evaluations, anger management, and short-term substance use classes, often for people who have court or probation requirements. It also lists parenting sessions, community service hours, and a paid work-training program for teens 16 and older.
This is the DeKalb County office that prosecutes misdemeanor crimes, such as domestic violence, drunk driving, stalking and elder abuse. Its victim advocates help crime victims and their families understand their rights and the court process. They also point people to counseling and other services.
Game Changing Men is a group that supports masculine-presenting people, including transgender men, men of color, and men who have been in jail or prison. It offers support groups, workshops, a 24-week class on family violence for male-identified people, mentoring for people inside jails and prisons, a yearly retreat, and a youth leadership program.
Wholistic Stress Control Institute is a nonprofit in Atlanta that teaches ways to handle stress and make healthy choices. It runs classes and programs for youth, families and adults, including violence prevention, HIV and drug prevention, and an online anger management class. It also offers free resource guides for five metro Atlanta counties.
This is the Fulton County department for behavioral health and for developmental disabilities. It offers outpatient care for adults, appointment-based care for children and teens, and day programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Adult sites are open on weekdays and welcome walk-ins.
PAWS Atlanta is a no-kill animal shelter in Decatur that has served cats and dogs since 1966. It helps pets and their owners with adoption, a pet food bank, low-cost vaccine clinics, and cheaper flea, tick and heartworm medicine. People can also volunteer, bring a work group, or do court-ordered community service.
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta helps families in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties get safe, affordable homes. First-time buyers help build their home and pay an affordable mortgage. Some older, veteran or military-connected homeowners can get critical repairs. You can also volunteer, give to the Smyrna ReStore, or do court-ordered community service.
