When Parnesia Duckworth's business started to go under, she found herself struggling to take care of herself and her son. Then she called 2-1-1.
Parnesia came to Atlanta from Seattle in September 2002. In August 2004, when an attempt at running her
own business started to go under, she found herself struggling to take care of herself and her then
seven-year-old son.
A woman who heard Parnesia's story told her about United Way 2-1-1. When she dialed
2-1-1, the call agent referred her to Samaritans Together of Henry County, which provides financial assistance
to Henry County residents at or below the poverty level. The staff at Samaritans Together located the resources
to pay Parnesia's electric bill.
|
 |
Two years later, in October 2006, Parnesia was let go from her job in Stockbridge. She immediately called
Samaritans Together again. This time, the staff quickly arranged funding to help her keep the gas on.
Today, Parnesia is a massage therapy instructor at Everest Institute (formerly Georgia Medical Institute).
"I am fortunate to have had Samaritans help me along," she states. "Every little bit lifts you up." On
the wall in her office is a poster that offers simple instructions for stress relief. Just dial 2-1-1.
"Every little bit lifts you up."
|
|
