Special Needs Cobb, Cobb’s original special needs nonprofit founded in 1956, is a local organization that provides residential and respite resources for special needs people and their families. This is a 70th-anniversary story of lifelong care, family heartbreak, community compassion and the leaders determined to keep the light shining for society’s most vulnerable adults.
In celebration of its 70-year milestone, Special Needs Cobb, with the help of Emcee Ross Cavitt, put its supporters and the wider community ‘Up in Lights’ in the style of Old Hollywood Glamour at The Earl & Rachel Smith Strand Theater on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The year-long celebration is a joyful, visible expression of gratitude for the donors, advocates, volunteers and neighbors whose generosity has sustained the mission for generations.
Record 70 applicants reflect growing demand for a program that builds fundraising capacity while bringing Cobb together to give.
Community partnerships make a lasting difference. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Cobb County Fair Association Giving Campaign, Special Needs Cobb can continue creating safe, supportive homes and brighter futures for adults with special needs.
As part of Special Needs Cobb’s 70th Anniversary Up in Lights campaign, resident Phil and his mother, Board President Emeritus Kay, recently visited a billboard featuring Phil and the message, ‘I Belong.’ The moment served as a powerful reminder of the importance of belonging, community, and the legacy of families who have helped shape Special Needs Cobb for generations.
Community partnerships make a lasting difference. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Cobb County Fair Association Giving Campaign, Special Needs Cobb can continue creating safe, supportive homes and brighter futures for adults with special needs.
Our 3rd Annual Sparkle & Style fashion show featuring our residents and friends of the organization was a shining success!
March 28, 2026 • East Cobb News Link to the online magazine and article Special Needs Cobb Featured in East Cobb News Sparkle & Style
September, 2025 • Cobb InFocus Link to the online magazine and article Special Needs Cobb Featured in Cobb InFocus Magazine Top Volunteer Opportunities for You
Scavenger Hunt Winner Debbie Day of Special Needs Cobb with Shari Martin Link to Website May 7, 2025 • Cobb Courier Community Celebrates Shared Achievements
Link to Website | Download the PDF May 5, 2025 • Jennifer Todd The Business of Special Needs At nearly 70 years strong, Special Needs
Work on your backswing this Oct. 14 at Special Needs Cobb’s 26th Annual Pars for Stars Golf Invitational: a fun-filled day of golf, art and community!
For some people with disabilities in Cobb County and Cartersville, home for the holidays might mean staying at their group home. Link to Video Transcript
Ricky Raschke and his birdhouse, entitled “Truist Park Main Gate” Link to Video Transcript Below October 5, 2023 Marietta artist with special needs creates pieces
Ricky Raschke and his birdhouse, entitled “Truist Park Main Gate” Link to article Download Homes with Heart Flyer October 5, 2023 Marietta artist with special
Ricky Raschke and his birdhouse, entitled “Truist Park Main Gate” Link to article Download Homes with Heart Flyer October 3, 2023 Special Needs Community, Local
2022 SNC Golf Participants Andy Alterman Press Release November 16, 2022 Cobb County Special Needs Non-profit Exceeds Goal Raising More than $43K at 2022
2022 SNC Golf Participants Andy Alterman November 18, 2022MDJ: Link to article Cobb County Special Needs Non-profit Exceeds Goal Raising More than $43K at
Left to right: Kristen Pewitt, Secretary; Angie Smith, Legal Counsel; Matt McManus; Pam Brems, Treasurer; Judge Adele Grubbs, Vice President; Seema Patel, David Ivey, Board
Left to right: Kristen Pewitt, Secretary; Angie Smith, Legal Counsel; Matt McManus; Pam Brems, Treasurer; Judge Adele Grubbs, Vice President; Seema Patel, David Ivey, Board
August 22, 2022MDJ: Link to article Here for You for Life: Cobb County Special Needs Non-profit to Host Golf Tournament Fundraiser Marietta, Ga. (July
Patch: Link to article Cobb Schools To Host Transition Resource Fair For Students With Disabilities The Cobb Schools Transition Resource Fair is scheduled for
Douceur de France Giant Chocolate Bunny Contest Patch: Link to article Patrons can stop into Douceur de France between now and Friday, April 15, make
Different is Dazzling Special Needs Fundraiser Press Release Different is DazzlingApril 25, 20226:00-9:00 p.m.Tickets: $100Sponship packages available [email protected] Marietta, GA -Special Needs Cobb, a local
Marietta, Ga. (Feb. 21, 2021) – Special Needs Cobb, a local non-profit that provides respite, residential and resources for special needs people and their families, will host its first annual “Different is Dazzling” fundraiser dinner on April 25, 2022, at the Piedmont Church Conference Center in Marietta.
Marietta, Ga. (Feb. 21, 2021) – Special Needs Cobb, a local non-profit that provides respite, residential and resources for special needs people and their families, will host its first annual “Different is Dazzling” fundraiser dinner on April 25, 2022, at the Piedmont Church Conference Center in Marietta.
Special Needs Cobb, a local non-profit that provides respite, residential and resources for special needs people and their families, hosted its 23rd annual Golf Invitational fundraiser on Oct. 11, 2021, at Dogwood Golf Club in Austell, Ga. The organization raised nearly $45,000, a first-time record for them.
Marietta, Ga. (October 15, 2021) – Special Needs Cobb, a local non-profit that provides respite, residential and resources for special needs people and their families, hosted its 23rd annual Golf Invitational fundraiser on Oct. 11, 2021, at Dogwood Golf Club in Austell, Ga. The organization raised nearly $45,000, a first-time record…
Special Needs Cobb, a local non-profit that provides respite, residential and resources for special needs people and their families, hosted its 23rd annual Golf Invitational fundraiser on Oct. 11, 2021, at Dogwood Golf Club in Austell, Ga. The organization raised nearly $45,000, a first-time record for them.
Marietta, Ga. (Sept. 16, 2021) – Special Needs Cobb, a local non-profit that provides respite, residential and resources for special needs people and their families, is hosting its 23rd annual Golf Invitational fundraiser on Oct. 11, 2021, at Dogwood Golf Club in Austell, Ga.
Phillip Thomas, a 38-year-old Cobb County resident, lives with a rare genetic disorder that affects less than 20,000 people in the United States: Prader-Willi Syndrome. The syndrome causes obesity, intellectual disability and behavioral problems.
Tommy Nobis Center, a Marietta-based nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment, produced 10,000 COVID prevention kits over the course of the last nine months.
In 1956, a small group of Cobb County parents fought the prevailing system of the time of institutionalizing children with developmental disabilities and determined that they would not put their loved ones away. They created the Association of Retarded Citizens, better known as “ARC”.
In accordance with 24 CFR 570, Cobb County has prepared this Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The CAPER represents the County’s progress in carrying out projects and activities pursuant to the Program Year (PY) 2020 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds received from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that principally benefit low-to-moderate-income persons who live in Cobb County.
In 1956, a small group of Cobb County parents fought the prevailing system of the time of institutionalizing children with developmental disabilities, determined that they would not put their kids away. They became known as Right in the Community, a trailblazing organization in the Special Needs community that accomplished many “firsts” to meet the needs they saw. This year, the organization became Special Needs Cobb to reflect its commitment to providing Resources, Respite and Residential services for families right in the community.
With over 30 years of service with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during her lifetime, Dottie Adams was a leader, innovator and force for the disability community. And today is Dottie’s birthday! In her memory, GCDD is proud to announce that its Learning Opportunities Support Fund will now be the Dottie Adams Scholarship Fund.
Special Needs Cobb offers workshops throughout the year on topics of interest to the guardians and caregivers of developmentally disabled people. Experts on Estate Planning for the Disabled, Public School Law, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, job placement and other important issues give presentations and answer questions to help caregivers provide the best possible care for those they look after.
