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Bringing community partners together to develop, implement, and evaluate plans that address the serious challenges facing Dawson County's children and families.


dawson.gafcp.org

Dawson County Family Connection News

PLEASE JOIN THE COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE AS WE WORK TOGETHER; SHARING INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO HELP BUILD A STRONG, VIBRANT, HEALTHY COMMUNITY

Our collaborative includes social service providers, non-profits, school personnel, business, government, and faith representatives, civic organizations, clubs,

and all those interested in collaborating and coordinating services to strengthen our families and children.


DAWSON COUNTY CHURCH COLLABORATIVE MEETINGS

If you are a faith-based organization and/or a community partner and would like to join this collaboration, please contact

Layla McBrayer

Administrative Specialist, Dawson County Family Connection

lmcbrayer@dawsonfamilyconnection.org


Facebook


Once a year, Longhorn Steakhouse opens its doors for a one-of-a-kind FUNDRAISER breakfast buffet for DAWSON COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION.

It is a fun-filled morning with good food & even better company, all in support of making a positive impact on Dawson County's children.

 

Thank you for nominating a DAWSON COUNTY CELEBRITY for our event!

These celebrities are well known (or maybe Dawson's best-kept secret!) for serving our community & we would be honored if they would...well...serve the community as a CELEBRITY WAITER at our fundraiser to be held at:

LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE

JUNE 6th from 7:30 am-9:30 am

Nominees can be your favorite coach, teacher, pastor, friend...ANYONE who should have a light shone on them for the good they do for the Dawson County Community!

 

CLICK HERE FOR NOMINATIONS: 

https://forms.gle/NfK9U4EdQ4W8aocQ9

Dawson County Community Resource Directory

CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH DIRECTORY

Community Collaborative News

AboutFace-USA

AboutFace-USA

Affinis Hospice

Affinis

Volunteer Appreciation Week April 20-26


Affinis Hospice needs outgoing volunteers who want to give back to their community in a rewarding way. We need individuals who want to give the best gift of all- their time. As a hospice, we are able to meet many of our patient’s needs as they near the end of life’s journey, but to meet one of their most important needs, we need your help. That need is companionship. If you are able to donate just a few hours a month to spend time with our patients please reach out to us. It is something that is so meaningful to them, and will be so fulfilling for you. Whether you want to call bingo, play music or just sit and spend time with them our patients would love to see you!

Please contact

Lindsay Hatfield

Volunteer Coordinator

Affinis Hospice

(W) 678-989-0981

678-780-6284 (Cell)

lhatfield@affinishospice.org

A Health Service of CHSGa


Amerigroup Real Solutions

Amerigroup

COMMUNITY RESOURCE LINK

AVITA

Avita

HUGE RESOURCE FOR DAWSON COUNTY ALERT!!!

(Available to Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, and Lumpkin County residents too!)

Do you know of a 16-26-year-old who is struggling with mental illness or substance abuse?

Contact Christina Sannino at christinasannino@avitapartners.org for more information about the EVOLVE PROGRAM!!

 

Backpack Healthcare

Backpack

Bridging Hope

Bridging Hope

Children's Center for Hope & Healing

Hope and Healing

April is Child abuse prevention month...


At The Children's Center for Hope and Healing, we witness the incredible strength of children who have experienced the unimaginable. We see their resilience, their courage, and their determination to heal. And we believe—deeply—that every child deserves a future filled with safety, love, and hope.

 

But far too many children in our communities are still suffering in silence.

 

The Truth we cannot ignore

🔹 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.

🔹 90% of abused children know their abuser—it’s often someone they trust.

🔹 Every 9 minutes, a child is sexually assaulted in the U.S.

🔹 Only 38% of child victims ever report their abuse, leaving many without the support they need.

This issue affects all of us. It reaches across neighborhoods, schools, communities, and even in our own homes. But together, we can create a world where children are protected, where healing is possible, and where no child has to walk this path alone.

 

Here is how we can make a difference

💙 Educate & Advocate – Learn the signs of abuse. Have the conversations that help keep children safe, and to protect the children in your life. Please visit PreventChildAbuse.org for resources.

💙 Give Hope – Your generosity provides therapy, advocacy, and support for children on their journey to healing. Every dollar makes a difference.

💙 Wear Blue on April 5th – Protecting children is essential. Show your commitment by wearing blue and raising awareness about child abuse prevention.

💙 Spread the Word – Share our message, follow us on social media, and be a voice for children who need support.

 

Hope Starts with Us

Change happens when we come together with compassion, awareness, and action. Every effort—big or small—helps create a future where all children can grow up feeling safe, supported, and free to dream.

 

 

This April, let’s stand together. Let’s be part of the solution.

Because every child deserves a safe and happy childhood.


Salary is commensurate with experience.


Email resume to Paul Hanson Executive Director

phanson@hopeandhealingga.org


Full Job Description

Covenant Care Adoptions

Covenant Care Adoptions

Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services

DC Emergency Services

Dawson County Health Department

DC Health Dept

Dawson County Library

DC Library

Join us in the Dawson Meeting Room for this program designed for babies (along with a parent or guardian) from birth to 23 months. We’ll be building early literacy through songs, action rhymes, books, and playtime. These are wonderful times for your babies to hear lots of language, and a great opportunity for you to meet new parents! (Structured activity for 15 minutes with playtime after). 

Join us in the Dawson Library meeting room for Toddler Tales Storytime Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. This program is designed for 2-5 year-olds with stories, songs, crafts, movement activities and free play time. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends, develop early reading skills, and have fun! 

Join us in the Dawson Meeting Room for this enriching storytime tailored for preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years. Each session will explore a new theme through books, songs, and crafts, designed to spark curiosity and encourage early learning. It’s a great opportunity for your child to build social and cognitive skills. (Structured activity for 35 minutes with craft time afterward)

Visit the Dawson County Library as we celebrate our annual Earth Day Celebration on April 22 from 3-5 PM. We invite the community to help us celebrate by planting vegetable plants in our community garden. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. This is a FREE event in partnership with the Georgia Mountain Master Gardeners, #dawsoncountywomansclub,

#keepdawsoncountybeautiful, and the Dawson County Friends of the Library.

Dawson County Parks & Recreation Department

DC Park & Rec

Playgrounds Remodeling for 120 Days


The main playgrounds at both Rock Creek Sports Complex and Veterans Memorial Park are being remodeled for 120 days (estimated completion by July).

Dawson County Schools

DC Schools

Family Promise

Family Promise


Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Dvelopmental Disabilities

GA DBHDD

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Narcan virtual training sessions have started again.

The training is free and each attendee will receive a box with two (2) doses of Naloxone, shipped after the training.

These are one hour virtual training sessions for first responders and other staff who may come across an opioid overdose. This includes police, sheriff, EMS, firefighters, school systems, administrators, teachers, and others.

To schedule your session, click the link:

https://www.eldoctormancini.com/narcan-training/

Narcan Virtual Training Sessions


If you have a special request, send an email to: narcan@multiculturaldevelopment.com

Georgia Department of Human Services

GA Dept of Human Services

Georgia Kids Belong

GA Kids Belong

Georgia Mountain Food Bank

GA Mountain Food Bank

Georgia Mountains Health & Healthy Kids

GA Mountains YMCA

Georgia Overdose Prevention

GA Overdose Prevention

GA Rural Health

GA Rural Health

Goshen Valley

Goshen Valley

Hall-Dawson Casa

Hall-Dawson Casa

Helping Mamas

Helping Mamas

Hope for the Hungry

Kare For Kids

Kare For Kids

Lanier Technical College

Lanier Tech

Dawson County campus accepts new students for

GED prep classes and English as a second language on an ongoing basis. The classes are FREE!

Learn and Grow Family Counseling, LLC

Learn & Grow

Legacy Link

Legacy Link

Loving Our Neighbors

LON


MyGCAL App

A Crisis Has No Schedule. That is why the MyGCAL App is designed to help young people in the State of Georgia access the Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) via chat, text or phone call 24/7/365.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI

NAMI offers meetings for people aged 18 and older who have mental health issues. They also offer meetings for caregivers and loved ones who have friends or relatives who suffer from mental health issues. The local affiliate includes Forsyth, Dawson and Lumpkin counties. Both groups meet twice NAMIa month simultaneously in separate rooms on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

We meet at 6:45-8:15. No charge, no judgment, no uncomfortable atmosphere. We provide lots of information and suggestions for available help.

Meetings at the United Way building In Cumming. Address is: 240 Elm St. Just off hwy 9. We want to erase once and for all the stigma of mental health issues.

Come and join us. You are welcome.

Ninth District Opportunity

Ninth District

North GA Equine Therapy

Harnessing Hope

No One Alone

NOA

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute

Northside

Sam Foundation

Sam Found

Saprea

Saprea

Saprea is a non-profit providing healing resources for adult women who are survivors of child sexual abuse. They have spots available for their upcoming Healing Webinars. This free healing resource is a 4.5-hour online interactive and educational experience. It is led by a clinical therapist for individuals 18+ who experienced abuse as a child or teen. Webinars will be held several times throughout the year.


If you would like to learn more or apply to attend please click on the following link: Saprea Healing Webinar 

Sleep In Heavenly Peace

SHP

At SHP, we fully believe that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. When it was brought to our attention that the need for beds went far beyond our own neighborhoods, we stepped up and took initiative. We’re a national organization answering the call to a national problem.

If a child needs a bed, we want to make sure they get one. No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The flowers are blooming (the POLLEN IS EVERYWHERE!), & it is time to do some spring cleaning!

If you have clean & usable items you think another family could benefit from, drop them off for this COMMUNITY SWAP 'n SHOP event!

Need an item? Stop by the DAHLONEGA CHURCH BUILDING (7207 Dawsonville Hwy, Dawsonville, GA 30534) on APRIL 26th from 9AM-2PM and take what you need!


The Place

The Place 
Click Here for Full Job Description

The Way Home

The Way Home

We Care

We Care

WinGeorgia

WinGeorgia
WorkSource Georgia


WorkSource Georgia Mountains administers the WIOA grant, which is FREE federal money to pay for schooling for eligible youth and adults.

You can check out our website screening tool to see if you might qualify.

gmrc.ga.gov/wsgm-screening- tool1