Community Partnerships: Steps to Building, Sustaining, & Growing our Partners May 22, :30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Mea Fagiola Introduction and Welcome Reconnecting Families Video

Mission To enhance and sustain the collaborative between the community, the academic sector, and the government of Cobb County to help children and families live drug free lives

Reconnecting Families, Inc. Brin Black – Executive Director

Independent 501 C (3) non- profit charity Volunteer Board from the Education, Business & Faith Based Community Founded in 2007 Serves the Juvenile and Family Dependency Treatment Courts in Cobb County

Reconnecting Families Website Website:

How to Market Facebook:

How to Market Blog: reconnectingfamiliescobbcounty.blogspot.com reconnectingfamiliescobbcounty.blogspot.com

Programs and Services Family Support Program – Clothes Closet – Start Up Treatment Baskets – Graduation – Reward Cards – Family Rewards- camp, childcare, utilities GED Program Scholarship Program

Services Provided Through Community Outreach Clothes closet and furniture donations Dentists Divorces – Volunteer Lawyers Holiday gifts Summer camp Beauty Care Food/Supplies Child Care

Christopher Bethel, Esq. Partnerships in the Community

Board of Directors & Friends of Reconnecting Families Liz Cole: Chairperson (Marietta Housing Authority) Chris Bethel: Vice Chairperson (Attorney) Jonnie Garner: Secretary (Retired) Sarah Gaither: Treasurer (GA Commerce Bank) Jeff Whittingham: Board (Retired) Karen Carter: Board and Fundraising Chairperson Sara Clay: Board (Attorney/SAAG) Peggy Houghton: Board (Bell Custom Cabinets) Jennifer Martin: Board (Junior League and Dental Staff) Justin O’Dell: Board (Attorney) Bert Reeves : Board (Attorney) Sally Rhoden: Board (Retired) Beth Zullo: Board (Chattahoochee Tech) And many “Friends of the Board”

Partnerships in the Community Local restaurants Employment Opportunities Other Community Non-profits (10 Women of Hope, Center for Family Resources, YWCA) Junior League Tutoring Housing Assistance Local Businesses Churches Civic Groups Educational Partners Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors FAITH BASED COMMUNITY Getting help from local churches 1.Recap MFBC (dinners, movie nights, ice cream, graduations, egg hunt, alumni group) 2.Start small- Sunday school class level, women’s groups 3.Don’t Come for Money 4.Plug into things they already doing (just get invited) 5.Expose them to the participants & children (individually & Group) 6.Don’t be afraid to challenge denominations (“The Baptists and Presbyterians are doing….”)

Board of Directors CIVIC CLUBS Reaching the Business Civic Groups 1.Recap Marietta Kiwanis (YCPO, Speakers, Dinners, Facility Rehab) 2.Bring them Speakers 3.Talk to the community service committee 4.Ask for help, not money 5.Start with small projects where the participants are present

Board of Directors JOBS Finding Employment Opportunities 1.Never stop asking 2.Target employers with diverse job opportunities 3.Try and get one small business (restaurant) to really buy in, then tout them as a success 4.Help those that help you

Presiding Judge Juanita Stedman Closing and Questions