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Julie Miller Executive Director |
Teka Allen Assistant Director |
Michelle Sexton Youth Coordinator & AmeriCorps Member |
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Bonnie Vest AmeriCorps Member |
Misty Hamb AmeriCorps Member |
Miriana Robinson AmeriCorps Member |
OVERVIEW
Family Connection of Columbia County, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to building partnerships in the community and finding resources to benefit children and families.
Mission:
To serve as the collaborative organization in the county to engage all stakeholders in improving the lives of children and families, thereby improving the whole community.History:
Family Connection Partnership is a public/private partnership created 15 years ago by the State of Georgia and funders from the private sector. There is now a Family Connection collaborative in every county in Georgia working to implement a vision for community-based support, decision making and accountability to build a better future for our communities.Vision:
For Georgia’s children to be healthy, ready to start and perform better in school, and have stable, economically self-sufficient families. To engage citizens in service to their community.Funding:
Columbia County Family Connection receives $50,000 from the state Legislature each year to support the collaborative. In addition, $225,000 in state and federal grants has been received to support the work of the collaborative in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Funders include: MHDDAD, WIA, HHS-ACF, Children and Youth Coordinating Council, Columbia County Commission, City of Harlem, Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition, Hands on Georgia and the Georgia Department of Human Resources.Fiscal Agent:
City of Harlem has served as the fiscal agent for Columbia County Family Connection since July 1, 2004. All Family Connection funds flow through the city and its accounting system. The City also provides office space and telephone and internet service for Family Connection.Board of Directors:
The Rev. Roger Vest, pastor of Harlem United Methodist Church, is the collaborative chair; Harlem Councilwoman Robin Root is the treasurer, and Betty English, Cooperative Extension Agent, is the secretary.Staff:
Julie Miller is the executive director along with her fabulous staff: Teka Allen, Tanga Inglett, Bonnie Vest, Misty Hamb, Michelle Sexton, and Miriana Robinson.AmeriCorps:
This year we have a new partnership with Hands on Georgia that includes three AmeriCorps members who are working to foster the spirit of volunteerism in Harlem and Columbia County.Partners: City of Harlem, East Central Georgia Consortium, Columbia County Board of Education, Columbia County Alternative School, Harlem Middle and High schools, Evans Middle and High schools, Lakeside High School, Greenbrier High School, North Harlem Elementary School, Department of Juvenile Justice, Columbia County Public Health Department, East Central office of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition, Department of Family and Children Services, Harlem Relay for Life, Harlem United Methodist Church, the Family Y, Columbia County Commission, Columbia County Sheriff’s Department, Augusta Technical Institute, and Hands on Georgia.
One of our top priorities is finding ways to support what is being done in our schools and help children to succeed. Toward that end, here is some of what we are doing in partnership with the schools and community:
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Camp ASAP – A 6-week summer apprenticeship program for 14-15-year-olds to prepare them for work and life. Apprenticeship classes included financial literacy, videography, playing the steel drums, physical fitness and nutrition. Twenty five youth were served.§
Summer Feeding Program – A free summer feeding program for children and families run nearly entirely by volunteers, spearheaded by Harlem United Methodist Church. In its 3rd year, the program served about 100 children per day.§
Camp Hardy – A summer camp in partnership with the Family Y that served about 75 children a day. Camp was held all summer.§
Abstinence Education – Family Connection youth coordinators provide research-based abstinence education (minimum of 5 classes) to ninth-grade students at Harlem, Lakeside, Evans high schools and the alternative school. Served more than 1,100 students in 2005-2006. Starting its third year.§
LifeSkills Training Program – A research-based substance abuse prevention program taught to after- school students at Harlem Middle and Columbia County alternative school.§
Young Women of Excellence – An organization started three years ago for female students at Harlem High School with three English teachers to promote sisterhood, self-respect, academic achievement, community service and setting long-range goals. Membership is approximately 100.§
Youth Council – A leadership team at Harlem High School of about 12 to 15 students that has numerous members of YWOE but expanded this year to include male students to teach leadership skills, encourage abstinence from risky behaviors and community involvement.§
Project PUSH – GED support for 14-21 year olds who have dropped out of high school. Must meet certain economic requirements. Currently, 10 enrolled in program, four of whom have gotten their GED. Those students are then encouraged to go on to post-secondary education, military service or work. Funded by the Workforce Investment Act through the East Central Georgia Consortium.§
Mentoring – Family Connection staff and volunteers mentored 17 youth in 2005-2006.§
After-School Program at Harlem High School: Offer an after-school program four days a week for 30 students, which includes a snack and transportation. Life Skills and Abstinence Education are offered during this program.§
Anger Management: Twelve Evans Middle School students referred by guidance counselors received anger management instruction in 2005-2006 based on Breaking Down the Walls of Anger.§
Volunteer Coordination and Management: AmeriCorps members work with other organizations in community to find volunteers for projects such as food pantry, community theater restoration, Feed a Soldier night, the thrift store, Hands-Up Ministry, etc.§
Community Forum: Partnered with Harlem United Methodist Church to provide a forum to discuss community issues. About 75 people attended and participated.§
Parent Education: Provided abstinence education information to parents at area churches and schools. Will continue to provide those services.PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER TO THE PUBLIC:
PARENT INFORMATION and TRAINING ON ABSTINENCE EDUCATION AND HOW TO TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT SEX. Any group can set up a free training session. Funding provided by HHS federal grant. 556-0609. Ask for Teka Allen.
OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH up to age 21: Will work with youth who have dropped out of school and want to get their GED and improve their work skills. Financial restrictions apply. For example, a family of four can not have earned more than $10,000 in past six months. Funding provided by Workforce Investment Act. Call 556-0609. Ask for Michelle Sexton
For more information please visit our website at www.handsonharlem.org .
WHAT WE NEED:
Volunteers to work in after-school program, mentor youth and serve as project leaders for community service projects.
Additional funding to provide community-based programs.
Business representatives to serve on our collaborative board.
Participation from key leaders in the community.
Name and likenesses of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
used under license from Larry Harmon Pictures Corporation, Hollywood, CA
90028
© 2003 Larry Harmon Picture Corp.
