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Economic Opportunity Atlanta, Inc.
Ow oA 101 Marietta Street Bldg. © Atlanta, Georgia 30303 e Telephone: 525-4262
T. M. Parham . io eer
Executive Administrator ‘ Contact: ‘Mrs. Mitchell or
Mrs. Mason
For immediate release |
March ll, 1969
For the first time in Atlanta, and perhaps the nation,
residents of poverty areas have taken over the task of teaching
the more affluent about poverty.
Since they began their START. NOW ATLANTA cauupaica two
months ago the poor have schedulea slum tours for more than
2,000 Atlantans. They also have Beaken “eG numerous clubs and
eneiee ies and have pean ee on radio and TV programs.
The pearitade enlisted 202 Atlantans 2s volunteers for
“Réonomic Opportunity Atlanta, th2 city's anti-poverty ee
This month they are planning a special tow: for lawyers
and one for doctors, at the requesi of the professional organi-
zations for both groups.
The 23 poverty area reat@anes who have led the campaign
call themselves v. I. P.'s or Volunteer Teexmation people.
Since they initiated their program January 10,they have
completed tours forl1,409 of the 2,000 scheduled. The remainder
will be completed during the next month.
Indications are that the tours are really two-way streets;
as one V.I.P. put it,. "They learn from us and we learn from them."
Those taking the tours are young, middle aged, old.’ They
tour by foot, by car, by boy They are lawyers, business men,
doctors, social workers, club women, church members, journalists,
visitors to Atlanta, the already concerned, and those not-—so-
‘sure-about-it-all. They cc.e in greatest number from Metro-
politan Atlanta, but aiso from various parts of the United
States and from countries over the world.
~i The 202 volunteers are working in a variety of projects,
‘including Big Sister programs, story hours, adult literacy
classes, tutorial programs, and marionette shows.
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fuels,
In addition, four white churches have formed partnerships
with black churches, 20 college freternities are working in
volunteer projects and some 200 college studenis are conducting
a comprehensive consumer survey in one low-income area.
Tours, speakers and the volunteer program will continue.
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival will feature poverty area tours
led by the V.1:P. 4s on April 8 and 12.
To volunteer, to arrange a tour for individuals or groups,
or to get a speaker or a panel, call 525-4262.