Dream agency aims to empower abused women
The woman said her boyfriend had slashed her arm with a knife and that she had a police report to prove it.
She faced eviction from her apartment, so she called Cindy Williams, founder of Women Are Dreamers, Too (WADT), a Norcross-based nonprofit that helps abused women. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. Maybe not. The woman who called Williams obviously had, and she lived in Burbank, Calif.
“They call us from all over the country,” Williams told me. “We check out the things they tell us to make sure they are legitimate. Most of them are sincere. And they need help.”
In 1998, WADT started as a volunteer job placement service for Atlanta-area women who lived in homeless shelters. When Williams would dig into the clients’ lives, she uncovered a recurring theme.
“Domestic violence. Domestic violence. Domestic violence,” Williams said. “They all were reverting back to the same cycle of abuse. And they were coming to us in droves.”
Williams, an economics professor on leave from Georgia Perimeter College, knew such cycles had to be broken. In order for that to happen, the women needed to be self-sufficient. Independent.
Empowerment, Williams reasoned, might be the best way to keep women from returning to an abusive mate. So WADT expanded on programs to make its clients employable.
Better yet, it trained them to be employers. And that’s what WADT has been doing for the past decade out of rented office space in Gwinnett.
The organization has a network to put abused women in contact with resources and social service agencies that can assist with jobs, shelter, food and medical assistance if necessary.
It collects used cellphones and gives them to clients.
And about twice a year, the nonprofit offers a free 12-week entrepreneurial program on business ownership. Participants learn how to start a business, from idea to reality. They learn the ABCs, everything from record-keeping to Web page design to marketing.
“I want them to create jobs to touch lives in their neighborhoods, so we can have viable communities,” Williams said. “The society I dream of and perceive of can be realized if we break the dependency, get women in these situations on their feet. If these women and their children don’t become contributors to society, we have to pay the taxes and provide the welfare that deplete the system.”
WADT’s directors want to buy the Gwinnett building the nonprofit rents in, and turn it into a comprehensive training facility for like-minded nonprofits.
It would offer 24-hour service that includes pantries for food and clothes. The first floor might be converted into mini-apartments for families.
After-school and summer programs would be offered to children.
Of course, all this takes money. WADT has launched a capital campaign that concludes with a black-tie gala May 9 at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta. Raffle ticket buyers have a chance to win a 2009 Mercedes C300W.
“The need is growing,” Williams said, “so we have to change our paradigm.”
Before I leave the office, she tells me she has to call the young woman from Burbank who had contacted WADT. She wants her to fax the police report of the alleged knife incident. The woman has already given Williams her landlord’s number.
“I am going to ask them to give us 30 days to find her some resources and help before they evict her,” she said.
“I just can’t cut these women loose. These women are my passion.”
For more information, visit www.wadt.org.
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47 comments Add your comment
Michael H. Smith
April 11th, 2009
10:09 am
What ever becomes of the abusers, the perpetrators of domestic abuse and domestic violence? (the ones that don’t end-up in prison for murder)
Do they just move on happy-go-lucky foot-loose-and-fancy-free to prey on their next victims?
Not to intentionally distract from this important story and its’ impetus but I’m sure Cindy Williams isn’t exactly begging for customers or repeat business, nor is it her desire.
Mark
April 11th, 2009
8:35 pm
This is a problem with white America. Keep beating your women like you have beaten us for the last 200 years. Times are changing. We now have the numbers to get our president elected. White America said it couldn’t be done and we wouldn’t be able to get Obama in office but when we put our minds to something, amazing things can happen with no help from the white folk. Keep crying and keep beating on your women, we are now starting to make this country a better place.
nana
April 11th, 2009
9:53 pm
This sounds like a great organization, will check out the website. It does seem to be a cycle for some reason some women tend to gravitate towards these kind of men over and over again. Not sure if it was what they saw when they were growing up or not. It’s pitiful. I would like to know what happens to the men who do this like Michael asked.
I’m not so sure that abusive men are always one race or another. I think it’s probably evenly distributed around all races, black, white, hispanic and asian.
Cindy
April 11th, 2009
11:47 pm
Mark, domestic violence knows no color nor nationality. Your inability to hold an intelligent conversation is increasingly apparent when you spew such stupid statements and attemt to present them as some semblance of fact. Your “I’m so entitled/victim mentality” can’t see past your one-sided thought-processes long enough to formulate a coherent thought.
Michael H. Smith
April 11th, 2009
11:53 pm
Victims of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be men or women, although women are more commonly victimized. (Note:this article will use the pronoun “he” for convenience only) This abuse happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. Except for the gender difference, domestic abuse doesn’t discriminate. It happens within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and financial levels. The abuse may occur during a relationship, while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended.
Despite what many people believe, domestic violence is not due to the abuser’s loss of control over his behavior. In fact, violence is a deliberate choice made by the abuser in order to take control over his wife or partner.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm
I do believe you are correct nana, domestic abuse and domestic violence is cyclic, like so many other social ills that ails our society, though, in particularly violence against women seems a world wide manifestation – Made even worse when it is supported by some religions.
The learned part of domestic abuse and domestic violence is definitely taught to children by parents and society as a whole in their formative years. This learnt aspect of domestic abuse and domestic violence, the institutional part, is where the cycle can be broken and prevented more readily by society as a whole. When as a society we say that it is not alright to be obsessively dominate and controlling in a relationship. Not many of us missed Oprah’s immediate response to the Chris Brown incident of abuse and violence and her rightly outspoken public condemnation and warning.
Sentinel
April 12th, 2009
1:43 am
Comments from miscreants such as “Mark” are not taken seriously.
I sit at the sidelines and take great amusement from ‘people’ such as himself; the very same people who are too blind to see their statements are illogical and contribute nothing positive or constructive.
Here’s hoping my dream comes true: people below a minimum class & IQ should not be allowed to reproduce.
Mark, I truly fell pity for you. It must be terrible to be so unhappy and have to play the role of the “victim” while the rest of us go through life earning our own way and trying to generally be happy (regardless of race, I might add).
Mark, The Original
April 12th, 2009
8:00 am
I agree with Cindy, but not with nana. That’s just a bit too much more for me.
LT5000
April 12th, 2009
10:29 am
The facts:
**Overall, African Americans were victimized by intimate partners a significantly higher rates than persons of any other race between 1993 and 1998. Black females experienced intimate partner violence at a rate 35% higher than that of white females, and about 22 times the rate of women of other races. Black males experienced intimate partner violence at a rate about 62% higher than that of white males and about 22 times the rate of men of other races.**
Of course Blubbering Badie couldn’t be bothered to point out this little fact. I wonder if that wonderful rap music that demeans women and glorifies violence has anything to do with it.
Happy Easter.
LT5000
The original Mark
April 12th, 2009
1:07 pm
Mark, Blacks tend to make this country a worst place with all your violence and thuggery (if there is such a word.) Obama’s already becoming a failure. And don’t forget chimp, he’s half white.
Mark
April 12th, 2009
4:36 pm
Obama is not failing, the white man is trying to make it appear he is failing. The truth is that Obama has already done more for this country than any other president that ever lived. It’s ok whitey, I will save you a spot to work in my fields once I receive my slave reparations.
Michael H. Smith
April 12th, 2009
6:15 pm
I’ve been reading a bit on this subject of domestic abuse and domestic violence and it just so happens there is a move, if not movement in fact, to serve some real justice and prevention on domestic violence. A California state legislator has a bill to create a database of domestic violators in that state and there is a group here in Georgia pushing for one in the state as well to create a national domestic violence offender database to make available to the public the names of these perpetrators of domestic abuse and violence.
The AJC blog wouldn’t allow my first attempts at posting this information with supporting source links perhaps they will let this one through.
An ounce of prevention is worth more than a ton of regret.
The Real Mark
April 12th, 2009
6:58 pm
Are you kidding me? GA will never get something like that done here. We are still using technology from 20 years ago here. GA is so behind the times, it’s rediculious. They even still use the “street lights on a string” technology here. It’s laughable. I guess if you’ve never been out of the state though you’d have no clue. See, that’s how the brainwash you here to make you think it’s so great, meanwhile the rest of the country doesn’t even know we exist down here.
nana
April 12th, 2009
7:55 pm
I don’t know about the rest on this blog but I vote to ignore anyone with “Mark” in their name. I think it’s one in the same person and even if it’s not they are all on the same level.
Michael H. Smith
April 12th, 2009
7:57 pm
You are kidding yourself. I’ve been out of this State and Georgia already has other offender databases up and running providing information.
To you know who with all the crybaby excuses: I-20, I-75, I-85 all lanes are open – OUTBOUND!
Josh
April 12th, 2009
11:09 pm
Nana doesn’t like when anyone disagrees with her/him/it/whatever you are. For once, Cindy actually makes sense. I will give you a free pass on baking me a pie this time, being Easter and all. Take care toots!
Sentinel
April 12th, 2009
11:12 pm
“The truth is that Obama has already done more for this country than any other president that ever lived.”
Not true. That is factually inaccurate.
You, sir, are indeed a douche of the highest order.
My Tub Runneth Over
April 12th, 2009
11:16 pm
“white man” this, “white man” that, cry foul at every turn, play the victim role, avoid personal responsibility.
BOOOOooooorrrring. Been done a thousand times, and like a thousand times before, IGNORED.
The rest of us try to get along with each other pretty much regardless of race, and enjoy life.
Good and bad come in every race and every cultural. It had ever traveled outside of your ghetto, and maybe to some FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH MANY RACES, WHERE PEOPLE *REALLY ARE OPPRESSED*… like I have, maybe you could understand.
Suck on that!
nana
April 13th, 2009
9:23 am
Sorry Josh you are wrong (once again) I don’t dislike anyone who disagrees with me, just you and the many Marks.
GTwinsNC
April 13th, 2009
9:38 am
Mark
April 11th, 2009
8:35 pm
This is a problem with white America. Keep beating your women like you have beaten us for the last 200 years. Times are changing. We now have the numbers to get our president elected. White America said it couldn’t be done and we wouldn’t be able to get Obama in office but when we put our minds to something, amazing things can happen with no help from the white folk. Keep crying and keep beating on your women, we are now starting to make this country a better place.
Is this the same Mark that was “Mexican” on Thursday? Today he is black. What will it be tomorrow poser.
GTwinsNC
April 13th, 2009
9:42 am
Before he can deny it.
Mark
April 8th, 2009
12:30 pm
I’m hispanic you idiot. I don’t think I’d be welcome at a Klan meeting. I blame all of GA’s problems on ignorance, plain and simple. Look around you, look at the school ratings. Just face it, the South isn’t exactly the brain capital of the country. Pray for rain anyone?
maryanneatl
April 13th, 2009
10:18 am
To Mark;
If it was not for the white man Obama would not have won….count the votes + races. I can’t stand ignorant=stupid people of any color.
GTwinsNC
April 13th, 2009
10:59 am
We can always count on LT5000 to jump in knee deep to any topic that allows him to disparage anybody darker than sickly pale.
GTwinsNC
April 13th, 2009
11:04 am
Soon all these white supremacist types will be on the outside looking in. They will be so marginalized that their blathering will be akin to the meow of a kitten. And I hope they absolutely hate it. No group has done more to earn their rightful place way out on the fringes of society. LT500, are you really D.A. King?
Bubba
April 13th, 2009
12:04 pm
What do you mean, “soon?” They are marginalized.
LT5000
April 13th, 2009
12:37 pm
How dare I use statistics to disprove racist supposition.
Of course, every time you point out the obvious problems of certain communities, you are instantly called a racist.
When you can’t debate the facts, just cry racism and everything will be all right.
LT5000
The Real Mark
April 13th, 2009
1:39 pm
Georgia Twins, I believe you are talking about me. I’m from California, I’m not sure where that other Mark is from. I know it might be difficult for your little pea-brain to understand, but there is a GREAT chance there may be more than 1 Mark in this country. Moron.
Cindy
April 13th, 2009
2:00 pm
The first step (after the abused person is SINCERELY ready to get out of the situation)is to avoid ANY and ALL contact with the person who has been in control of them. When contact ceases, the first step forward has taken place. The remainder of what this article addresses is meeting the victims physical needs while otherwise distracting them by feeding their minds with tools they’ll need to straighten out their lives and be independent.
Since i’m trying to post on-topic, i’m going to bake a pie to freeze just in case this comment isn’t so well received and my “free pass” is good for one use only. Might be too busy later and wouldn’t want to fall short on my pie-favors to Josh aka Cartman.
GoodGrief
April 13th, 2009
2:07 pm
If one who hates other races is a “racist,” could LT be called a “Badist?” Like Al Sharpton and Barney Frank, LT doesn’t care if he makes any sense in what he says or why he says it, so long as he gets noticed.
Mark
April 13th, 2009
2:47 pm
First of all I wasnt born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I’m sick and tired of you white folks accusing me of not having a job or living in a ghetto when unlike you my family didn’t have everything handed to them on a silver platter. You think you are better than everyone else because you happnened to be lucky enough to inherit everything you need in life. Not all of us are lucky enough to have rich parents. Obama will even the playing field though. Hopefully I will also share in your inheritance that was earned off the backs of my great grandfather. Time for ne to get MY share and I will love watching you cry about it.
Best wishes
April 13th, 2009
3:01 pm
Rick, I saw the latest AJC layoff list and was glad that your name wasn’t on it. Heartbreaking to see some of the people that are leaving. http://atlantaunfiltered.com/atlmainstream9.html
DawgBite
April 13th, 2009
3:04 pm
Mark….you were Mexican last week. Now you’re black. Or are you blaxican, or better yet, just plain FOS.
LT5000, if the shoe fits, wear it.
nana
April 13th, 2009
3:07 pm
Thanks for the link, Best Wishes, I am glad that Rick is not on the list either.
nana
April 13th, 2009
4:20 pm
I vote FOS! As is Josh who is probably just another Mark.
LT5000
April 13th, 2009
4:32 pm
Dawg,
If the shoe don’t fit, you must acquit.
And the AJC continues to shrivel. The reason Badie didn’t get canned is because the AJC is focusing on the people that earn the most money. Badie is paid in Denny’s coupons. And is still overpaid.
LT5000
The Voice of Raisin
April 13th, 2009
4:50 pm
To Mark “Whitey Got Me Down”:
Hey genius, the majority of people aren’t “rich”, white or otherwise.
People like me worked 1-2 jobs, busted their ass for 4-6 years, and paid for the majority of their own education. Then (gratefully) BORROWED student loans to get a great job and go somewhere in life.
A winner blames themself if they fail in life, but keeps working at it until they succeed. A loser chooses not to take what they’re given, then blames someone else when they fail.
Sincerely,
A non-rich white guy who made good decisions
The Voice of Raisin
April 13th, 2009
4:57 pm
…and another thing: If you’re so smart, how many countries have you traveled to?
Didn’t think so.
People overseas have REAL problems-they don’t have time to sit around and WHINE about “the man” keepin’ them down. They worry about keeping food on the table, and are grateful for what they have.
Nothing quite like visiting latin countries with begging & starving children, little education, dirty food and water, rampant theft and crime, and disease to make me grateful for what I have.
And I never heard one of them complain about someone “keeping them down.” Hmmmm…..
The original Mark
April 13th, 2009
6:06 pm
Mark, I have your slave reparations dangling. You people will not recieve a penny. Silly negro…..
Omowali2
April 13th, 2009
11:54 pm
Unfortunately,domestic violence is an equal opportunity kind of a thing. It’s not Black or white, it’s about power and domination and the willingness of some people to act out their personal pain on the people who love them (and are therefore more vulnerable). Let’s stay on point here.
Cindy
April 14th, 2009
9:33 am
The second step is to keep the person who was abused from returning to the previous mentality. Because the element of danger was removed, people forget how volatile the situation was and can sometimes begin to think “ok, it hasn’t happened in a while, I need to get back home, everybody (extended family) is probably wanting me to come back now.”
It doesn’t work that way. Yet it’s a common approach…going back.
DawgBite
April 14th, 2009
11:29 am
Which is probably worth way more than your UE check, huh LT5000.
Mark
April 14th, 2009
12:19 pm
I can’t believe all tha hate. This is what I have to go through on a daily basis. White people will never understand what it’s like since you get everything you want for practicaly free. Call me names I don’t care, you wouldn’t say it to my face since you are nothing but cowards. Keep hatin on Obama, you didn’t get him in office so it don’t matter none anyways. Name me one president who has done more than Obama has in this little of time. That’s right, you can’t. Read it and weep cowards.
DawgBite
April 14th, 2009
12:37 pm
Jais, how does it feel to be married to your sister?
Cindy
April 14th, 2009
3:24 pm
The third thing is to learn how to function in society as a normal person instead of an oppressed, kept down little puppy, thinking that EVERYBODY knows my secret. EVERYBODY thinks i’m a push-over, a victim, someone who always needs a hand-out and needs saved. NO. It’s part of life. Not a pleasant part, but a part, all the same. So many people have gone/are currently going through abuse in one way or another. It doesn’t define who you are. Instead it’s what must be overcome. There are resources because others see the need.
The original Mark
April 15th, 2009
7:27 pm
Mark, What has Obama done since in office?
The original Mark
April 15th, 2009
7:32 pm
Glad to see thay the AJC laid off that mouthy racist Terrence Moore. He was an embarrassment to all the bruthas and sistas.
party pooper
April 17th, 2009
8:18 am
mark is an uncle tom
The original Mark
April 19th, 2009
1:03 pm
I’m white, idiot…..