Locations & Hours
About every Wednesday you can find Brenda Letzler volunteering at the Community Assistance Center’s (CAC) Financial Assistance Office helping neighbors in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody facing financial emergencies. From rent and utility assistance to referrals and community resources, Brenda helps families find support and take steps toward financial stability.
A former environmental engineer who also volunteered in the public school system as her children grew, Brenda and her husband have been active members of the Sandy Springs community for nearly 30 years while raising their three children.
Today, Brenda serves on CAC’s Financial Assistance Intake Team, meeting one-on-one with clients to understand their financial situation and challenges so she can determine which CAC services and programs and those of our community partners can best help them address immediate needs and move the closer to regaining financial stability. Additionally, Brenda works with clients on required documentation and forms needed to secure financial assistance, responds to the financial assistance phone line, schedules appointments and makes referrals to other resources when those seeking financial assistance live outside of CAC’s service areas.
Her compassion, empathy, and commitment to preserving client dignity recently earned her the 2026 Mitzi O’Connell Care and Compassion Award at this year’s CAC Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.
Meet Brenda Letzler
What inspired you to begin volunteering with CAC, and what keeps you coming back after 14 years?
I first learned about CAC through my church, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, where I met CAC’s founder and first CEO Tamara Carerra. My family volunteered with CAC’s holiday program and later my daughter volunteered regularly during a free class period in high school. It was then that I learned more about CAC’s impact on local families and decided to get more involved when my youngest went to college.
Over the years, I’ve stayed involved because I believe in CAC’s mission and the way the organization serves people. I really like how CAC is structured, how well they document client information, capture each family’s situation, and try to help them. Staff are always open to ideas on how to change or improve processes.
The most meaningful part of volunteering is being part of the organization’s ability to help people move through a difficult or emergency situation.
Is there anything you have learned about CAC clients or their emergencies that surprise you?
Many people seeking help are already working one or even two jobs. Often, it only takes just one unexpected emergency such as a medical issue, job loss, or car repair for a family to fall behind and reach out for assistance. Another reality is how quickly people’s housing situations can change. Many apartment companies move quickly toward eviction when rent payments are missed.
How have you seen CAC evolve over the years?
CAC has grown in many important ways. The organization has developed stronger systems and criteria for providing assistance and has also increased the amount of support to help families whose housing costs have increased.
What stands out most to me is CAC’s focus on treating every client with dignity and respect. It’s not just about providing services, but it is giving people the opportunity to use these services with dignity. For example, families shop at one of our mini-markets instead of receiving pre-packaged food bags.
What does receiving the Mitzi O’Connell Care and Compassion Award mean to you?
I was very surprised and humbled to receive this award. It inspires me to do an even better job in the work I do here to serve our clients.
There are many ways to get involved with CAC and use your time and talent. We invite you to learn more and sign up at ourcac.org/volunteer.