Nonprofits making a difference in Cobb
Edited by Cory Sekine-Pettite
We recently asked some of the top nonprofit organizations in Cobb County to share with us how they are making a difference. Additionally, we wanted to know what volunteer opportunities were available that we could share with readers. So, if you’re looking to get more involved in the community, representatives from A.G. Rhodes, Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue, Special Needs Cobb, United Military Care, and SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center would love to hear from you.
A.G. Rhodes
As one of Atlanta’s oldest nonprofit organizations and few nonprofit nursing homes in Georgia, their roots trace back to more than a century ago when Amos Giles Rhodes came to Atlanta and founded Rhodes Furniture. He donated the land and funds for A.G. Rhodes’ first location, which opened in 1904 at the corner of Boulevard and Woodward Avenue where the company’s flagship location still operates today.
A.G. Rhodes provides long-term care, short-term recovery, and therapy and rehabilitation services for more than 1,300 seniors each year at its three locations in metro Atlanta, including a Memory Care Community on its Cobb campus in Marietta that offers all private rooms and household living environment.
Using a person-directed approach to care, A.G. Rhodes tailors services to support the unique physical, mental, and spiritual needs and preferences of each elder. It provides nationally recognized programs like Horticultural Therapy and Music Therapy and offers other research-based programs and activities that incorporate animals, art, children, music, plants, and technology. They say they have a place in their hearts — and their homes — for volunteers of all ages to support these programs.
A.G. Rhodes is proud of our over 120 years of delivering compassionate care to seniors throughout metro Atlanta, and it continues to be one of the only mission-driven nonprofit nursing home providers that serves Cobb’s underinsured and underserved seniors. At the heart of its mission is a steadfast commitment to people: to the people they serve and their families, and to the compassionate Care Partners who work at A.G. Rhodes.
Learn more about A.G. Rhodes at agrhodes.org.
Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue
Since 2004, Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue has been a beacon of hope for homeless, vulnerable, and medically fragile dogs and cats in Cobb County. Its mission is simple but powerful: save lives, provide healing, offer training, and place animals in loving forever homes. But the organization’s impact reaches far beyond rescue.
Each dog that enters their program is paired with a trainer to build the skills needed for successful adoption. Through its partnership with the Metro Re-Entry Prison, incarcerated men train the dogs — gaining career-building skills while the Mutts receive round-the-clock care and attention. And because Mostly Mutts is committed to lasting success, it offers free lifetime training support for every adopted dog.
Businesses like yours have the power to be part of this life-saving mission. Whether it’s through financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, or group volunteering at the Rescue Center or bustling thrift store, there are many meaningful ways to make a difference. The Mostly Mutts Market is located at 5505 Bells Ferry Road in Acworth. With over 300 volunteers, the organization is a vibrant hub of purpose-driven teamwork — and they invite you to join them.
By supporting Mostly Mutts, you’re not just helping animals — you’re strengthening our entire community. Let’s work together to create more wagging tails, joyful families, and second chances. To learn more about how your business can get involved, visit mostlymutts.org.
Special Needs Cobb
It takes more than walls to be home. A few years ago, Special Needs Cobb CEO, Debbie Day, received a call that stopped her in her tracks. The state needed an emergency placement for an 85-year-old with developmental disabilities. She was blind. She had no family and no clothes. Her name was Miss Louise.
The organization knew Miss Louise needed a safe, loving place to land. Immediately. Community partners helped gather clothing and essentials. And then, just as Special Needs Cobb had done for decades, they opened their doors. Miss Louise moved into one of their group homes. There were cozy blankets, warm meals, and a house full of new friends. She had caregivers by her side around the clock. And for the next three years, until she passed away at 87, Miss Louise lived in peace, comfort, and dignity.
Since 1956, Special Needs Cobb has served adults with developmental disabilities in Cobb County, and since the late 1990s, they have maintained a growing network of group homes — 23 today. These homes aren’t institutions; they’re just that — homes. They’re in residential neighborhoods and filled with routines, joy, and care. They are often the last option for individuals who would otherwise be forgotten.
The organization’s mission is to provide lifelong housing for adults with special needs, and that includes the full responsibility of maintaining and operating 23 properties year-round. This is no small task. The homes are under constant scrutiny from multiple governing bodies, including HUD and DBHDD, and they take pride in exceeding their rigorous standards mandated to keep them in operation. Special Needs Cobb has done so for 70 years! Many of its homes are now 25+ years old, and wear and tear is beginning to show with commercial-grade use. The nonprofit is most in need of general operational funds that support it in keeping these homes running and safe. Its team of just five staff members manages it all. They’re on call after hours. They juggle urgent maintenance and other issues with grace and grit, including fundraising events. The nonprofit’s Annual Pars for Stars Golf Invitational on October 13, is open to the public. Your attendance helps them continue to thrive. Whether you are a golfer or just want to join them for lunch and fabulous auction, have fun and do good by visiting specialneedscobb.org and register today.
Here’s why donors can trust Special Needs Cobb:
- Longevity — They are one of the oldest nonprofits in Cobb with nearly 70 years of trusted service.
- They’re deeply embedded in the community, collaborating with families, schools, and care providers.
- They’ve quietly, dependably supported over 90 residents a year — some for over 30 years.
But numbers only tell part of the story. It’s in stories like Miss Louise’s, and in the steady assurance the homes provide every single day. Special Needs Cobb believes everyone deserves a safe place to call home — for life. With your support, they won’t just keep the lights on — they will keep hearts full.
United Military Care
At United Military Care (UMC), the mission is simple: You served, we care. This local, nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families across the state, providing essential services, resources, and community connections that help restore hope and stability.
The team is passionate about advocacy and believe that every veteran deserves to feel valued, seen, and supported. United Military Care ensures that no veteran feels alone by offering hands-on assistance with food, housing, healthcare access, mental health support, and more. In addition to case management services, the organization organizes and hosts community-centered ‘We CARE Vet Fair’ events across the state. These events bring community partners and government agencies at every level together, under a single roof, for a day of no-cost support to the veteran community. The next We CARE Vet Fair will be held at Cobb Civic Center on Oct. 21, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
UMC’s programs are built on compassion and commitment, serving veterans of all ages and backgrounds. They walk alongside military families, honoring their service with the care and respect they’ve earned. Through local outreach events, veteran resource hubs, and direct support services, UMC is building a statewide network of hope and healing.
Veterans have already done their part for our country. Now it’s our turn to be there for them. Join UMC in their mission — volunteer, donate, or refer a veteran in need. Together, we can make sure no one who served ever stands alone. Visit unitedmilitarycare.org to learn more or get involved today.
SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center
SafePath is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that is accredited by both the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA). SafePath advocates for victimized children (neglect, emotional aggression, physical violence, sexual abuse, trafficking, etc.), ensuring they have access to the best support system and resources possible. SafePath’s primary role is to reduce the trauma for these children, and coordinate and facilitate conversations through the legal system (law enforcement, healthcare, DFCS, etc.) to make the process of navigating through a difficult situation more efficient and less stressful. Providing services to these children is central to what children’s advocacy centers do.
While SafePath receives some funding through grant allocations, their work is also supported through individual donations and fundraisers. And though volunteers cannot directly work with the children due to the highly sensitive nature of the work, they are more than welcome to support in other ways by volunteering onsite with a variety of tasks and at fundraisers, in addition to being educated on the prevention of child abuse.
If you would like to get involved with SafePath through volunteering, donating, or participating in an event, please contact Lindsey Dugan — Community Resource Assistant (LindseyDugan.SafePath@cobbcounty.org). Visit SafePath.org for updates and resources.
