About Us
Who We Are
Controlled at the community level, Family Connection is present in every county in Georgia. It is the largest statewide network of communities in the nation that have made a commitment to improve results for children and families. Communities In Schools, present in fifty Georgia communities and over 2,000 communities in the U.S., also controlled at the local level, is the nation’s largest dropout prevention initiative. For the last two years, Worth magazine named Communities In Schools one of the 100 best nonprofits in the U.S.
We are a partnership of organizations working with families to research the needs of children and families in our community, and to work together to address those needs.
Our Over-Arching Goal: All Children Will Succeed in School and in Life.
We pursue that goal by addressing the root causes of problems, building on cultural and other strengths, pooling resources, engaging an extraordinary diversity of community members, and committing to a long-term process of planning, implementation, and evaluation. We are working hard in our community to build self-sufficient and stable families.
Using a family-centered approach, schools, health and human service agencies, business, the faith community, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, civic clubs, and others work together with families, focusing on academics, physical and mental health, nurturing parenting, economic success, and community service. We tap existing resources, streamline systems to be more efficient and effective, and initiate new projects like those listed below.
Our Partners
Department of Family & Children Services, Public Health, 4-H Cooperative Assistance, Department of Juvenile Justice, Chamber of Commerce, individual businesses, Juvenile Court, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation, Lumpkin County School System, Child Abuse Prevention Council, Enotah Court Appointed Special Advocates, Child Advocacy Center Development Committee, Community Helping Place and many others. Our most important partners are the families whose children we are serving.
Our Projects
- Backpack Buddies Program providing weekend feeding for an average of 50 families. Program application can be completed here.
- Parent Education using an evidence based curriculum (individual or group).
- Family Advocacy Program in the Lumpkin County School System. View the brochure here.
- Mentor Program in Lumpkin County Schools (Volunteers always needed – 30 minutes a week with a mentee when school is in session). View the brochure here.
- Individual Life Skill Lessons monthly and Support Groups weekly. View the flyer here.
- Student Outreach Center offering emergency assistance funds, a food pantry, clothing closet, hygiene closet, and school supply closet. View the brochure here.
- Monthly Collaborative Meetings hosted for community partners to network and learn about resources.
- Lending Library located at our Student Outreach Center for all ages.
- Free Community Events and Workshops. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events and meetings.
Our Biggest Needs
- Hygiene Drive/Donations (toilet paper, laundry detergent, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant)
- Mentors
- Food Drive/Donations
- New or gently used leggings/pants
- Baby wipes
- Backpacks
Our Board
Deidra Brewer, Chair Kelly Bening
April Arnold, Vice Chair Brenda Moran
Angela Davis, Treasurer Rhonda Hardy
Liz Curley, Secretary Gordy Hunt
Jason Lemley Cathy Sparks
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard Tristen Parrish
Sharon Thomason Betty Fitts
About Georgia Family Connection
Georgia Family Connection, a statewide infrastructure for aligning efforts across sectors, comes together through two distinct but connected change-makers: a statewide network of Collaboratives in all 159 counties and Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP). Each strengthens the other—and together, they form Georgia Family Connection.
We work toward measurably better outcomes across five key result areas:
The Georgia Family Connection statewide network—the only one of its kind in the country—works alongside children, families, and communities to help them thrive by crafting local solutions that maximize resources and make systems more effective and efficient. This network cultivates collaboration among community service providers, reducing duplication of efforts and allowing everyone to do more with the resources available.
Collaboratives equip local service agencies and organizations with the tools and methods they need to be more effective, helping them develop and work together on integrated strategies to improve child, family, and community well-being. We fill in service gaps in our communities by functioning as an incubator for direct services to families and children when a need isn’t being met. We also respond to urgent situations by maintaining strong relationships and the infrastructure necessary to deliver timely support.
GaFCP unites the statewide network in a shared framework that promotes consistent, ongoing collaboration and peer learning—equipping Collaboratives to draw on communities’ collective wisdom and experience across the state. GaFCP develops effective partnerships with state leaders, private enterprises, and other stakeholders to link the network with public and private funding, resources, talent, and innovation. GaFCP also empowers leaders across Georgia by making data accessible and providing practical tools, training, and technical assistance to support informed decision-making.
