Thirty Year Thursday: Interview with Douglas Scott

To celebrate our thirtieth year anniversary, we’re interviewing a friend of MAC each Thursday for thirty weeks as part of a series call “Thirty Year Thursday.” To kick off our first week, we interviewed Douglas Scott, a dedicated Thursday volunteer and the Artistic Director at Full Radius Dance, about his time at Midtown Assistance Center.

How did you first find out about MAC?

When I began volunteering in 1997, I was a member of The Midtown Leadership Class, a leadership program for area business and non-profit professionals that delved into problems facing the community. Dorothy Chandler made a presentation about MAC’s work preventing homelessness, and I was so impressed with her explanation of what MAC does that I almost chased her down before she could leave so I could find out how to get involved.

What initially drew you to volunteer?

The presentation piqued my interest, but once I got here and started learning more I was struck by the work MAC does within the community. I was equally impressed with the accountability and level of self-responsibility we require of our clients as well as the care that goes into verifying that the need exists.

Why do you keep coming back?

The great group of people I volunteer with. Thursdays are the best!

What have you learned through your experience with MAC?

How delicate life can be for some people. Missing two days of work because your child is sick can have a real financial impact on your life. I’ve been fortunate enough to not have to work paycheck from paycheck, but many people in Atlanta face this challenge.

Do you have a favorite story from your time at MAC?

I can’t think of one specific story, but every week I work with one client who is so grateful for what MAC has done. Sometimes it is something as small as one round trip MARTA card to get to an interview or something as big as paying past due rent. It is wonderful to see the burden and stress evaporate from them.