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 Vision
We envision a Lumpkin County where every child experiences a happy, healthy, and safe childhood that prepares them to thrive throughout their lives.
Our Mission
Lumpkin County Family Connection is dedicated to supporting students and embracing families.
Our Focus
We believe that strong communities begin with strong families. Through collaboration and data-driven decision-making, we work to create opportunities that help every child reach their full potential.
Our efforts are centered on two primary goals:
- Prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting safe, supportive environments for children and strengthening families through education, resources, and community partnerships.
- Ensure every child has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and in life by connecting families with services, supporting educational success, and removing barriers that limit opportunity.
Our Impact
Lumpkin County Family Connection serves as a collaborative network that brings together educators, nonprofits, healthcare providers, businesses, faith communities, government agencies, and volunteers to address the needs of local children and families.
Our core strategies include:
- Building strong partnerships that connect families with resources and support.
- Using local data to identify community needs and guide collaborative solutions.
- Developing and supporting programs that improve child safety, family stability, and educational success.
By working together, we reduce duplication of services, maximize community resources, and create lasting solutions that benefit children and families across Lumpkin County.
Our programs include:
- 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.
- Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance.
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, Jereimah’s Place, Enotah Court Appointed Special Advocates, South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, Community Helping Place, No One Alone, The Bridge Recovery and many others. Our most important partners are the families whose children we are serving.
Join Us
Positive change happens when a community works together. Whether you’re a parent, educator, business owner, nonprofit leader, or community member, we invite you to become part of the Lumpkin County Family Connection Collaborative. Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and prepared for a successful future.
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 Laurie Vakili
Joni McElwaney Ashley Coker
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard Tristen Parrish
Cindy Tomlin 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.
