I'm taking this opportunity to formally introduce myself. I'm thrilled to join the Collaborative Network as your new Family Connection Coordinator!

In the upcoming months, I will be transitioning from my current position to this new role gradually. It's essential for me to wrap up my annual contract as the 21st CCLC Program Director at Dalton Public Schools. I aim to ensure the after-school programs I've overseen for the past 5 years are set up for success and to conclude my current responsibilities thoughtfully. During this transition period, I will familiarize myself with the new role and expectations, attend meetings and events as possible, and get to know our Collaborative Partners. I am eager to meet each of you and delve deeper into the Collaborative initiatives within the community.

In conjunction with the Family Support Council, our April Collaborative Meeting will involve participation in the Pinwheels for Prevention Ceremony scheduled to take place at City Hall on Wednesday, April 24th at 12:00 pm.
April marks Child Abuse Prevention Month, during which local schools and businesses have been actively fundraising and raising awareness for child abuse prevention. This initiative involves the purchasing of pinwheels, which are then displayed outside the schools or businesses to symbolize victims of child abuse or neglect. The pinwheel represents the promising future that every child deserves and stands as symbol towards preventing child abuse and neglect. Your presence on April 24th is highly encouraged as we unite in support of the children in our community.

As part of the Building a Region of Resilience (BRR) initiative, Whitfield and Murray County are pleased to announce the upcoming second annual Journey to Action Event, Journey to Action 2.0. The purpose of this event is to cultivate a shared understanding of the systems affecting our families throughout their life journey. It aims to pinpoint areas where families encounter obstacles and to determine how, as community partners, we can effect positive, meaningful, and enduring changes within our community.

We want to invite our Collaborative Partners to join us on Friday, May 10th, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Junior Achievement Discovery Center.

To register for this event, use the following link: https://forms.gle/dmUkR5XuZBMzS2zz6

Our May Collaborative Meeting will take place on May 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Mack Gaston Community Center. At this meeting we will be showcasing Summer Activities for students and families. Please join us and hear from a few of our collaborative partners about summer initiatives going on in the community!

I have compiled a list of local camps in the community, and I will keep updating it as summer dates and events are finalized. You can access the list by clicking on the picture or by clicking the link below.

Additionally, I am in the process of creating a Summer Activity Newsletter. If you have any summer literacy opportunities, family events, camps, or information that you would like Collaborative Partners to be aware of, please send them to me so I can include them!