November 21, 2022
Dear Cobb Collaborative Network:

This is a time of year for us all to pause, reflect and be thankful. At the Cobb Collaborative, we are thankful for our wonderful member organizations who partner together as we all strive toward the betterment of our community. Our annual Fourth Quarter General Membership Meeting & Human Services Awards provides us with a wonderful opportunity to gather, network, and recognize those who have gone above and beyond for the betterment of our community.

Please join us for this time-honored event, being co-presented this year by the Cobb Community Foundation, on Wednesday, December 7, from 11:30AM-1:15PM at Piedmont Church. Join us for networking opportunities, a holiday luncheon provided by A Delightful Bitefull Catering, our General Membership Meeting, and awards ceremony featuring Cobb Collaborative's Jack Vaughan, Jr. Human Services Awards and Cobb Community Foundation's Howard Koepka Collaborative Spirit Award presentations.

Please note that we need all RSVPs no later than 5pm on Tuesday, November 29, in order to get a headcount to the caterer.
Wed, Dec 7, 2022 11:30 AM EST
Fourth Quarter General Membership Meeting & Human Services Awards Luncheon
Piedmont Church (Conference Center), Marietta
Are you aware that a Harvard study reveals that more than 1 in 3 Americans are lonely? 36% of all Americans—including 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children—feel “serious loneliness.” Loneliness is not "just a feeling" that a person might experience. Loneliness can have detrimental consequences to a person's overall health and longevity. Research has shown links between loneliness and mental health conditions, such as depression and dementia, as well as physical ailments, such as obesity and hypertension.

What can we do to alleviate loneliness? One of the most effective interventions is simply pick up the phone and make a call to connect with a family member, loved one or friend who may be lonely. It is important to engage them in conversation by asking questions and letting them talk. Being there for someone helps them to feel less isolated and alone.

If you are feeling lonely, please reach out for help. There are mental health resources available to everyone, such as:

  • 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network.(Veterans, press 1 at the prompt. TTY users: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.)
  • Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) - 1-800-715-4225 - Help is available 24/7 for individuals struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, other mental health conditions, problems with developmental disabilities, mental health, addiction drugs, and alcohol. Download the MyGCAL app (Apple and Android) to call, text, or chat with GCAL.
  • The Trevor Project -1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 -A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.

For additional mental health information and resources, please visit our Mind Your Mind web page.
Did you know that...

  • 61% of low-income families do not have a single book suitable for a child?
  • Half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers?
  • In middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children?

The facts are staggering, but there are ways to help. One way is to participate in Ferst Readers' "Adopt a Reader" initiative. Children in the Ferst Readers literacy program receive a bookstore-quality, age-specific book and resources mailed to them at home every month until their fifth birthday. For only $36, you can provide a book each month for an entire year! If you would like for your donation to serve children in Cobb County, please indicate “Cobb County” when you make your donation. There are children right here in our community and all across the country just waiting for their opportunity to receive the gift of literacy. There are Ferst Readers programs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina and Texas.

The holiday season is a GREAT time to give the gift of literacy. Please adopt a reader today and make a positive impact via monthly books! Click here for more information.

For more information and resources to help promote literacy and improve outcomes for families and children, please visit our Literacy web page.
After the midterm election on November 8, Georgia is headed to a runoff election for the U.S. Senate seat. When no candidate receives a majority of votes in the general election, a runoff between the top two vote-getters is required. The runoff election will be Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Statewide, voters will decide between incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and his challenger Herschel Walker for U.S. Senate.

The following are key dates for this runoff election:


You can check your voter status on the Georgia My Voter (MVP) web page. In addition to checking your voter registration status, you can use the MVP Log In to check your:

  • Mail-In application and ballot status
  • Poll location
  • Early voting locations
  • Elected Officials
  • Registration information on file with the county office
  • Sample ballot for the upcoming election
  • Provisional Ballot status

If I didn't vote in the General Election on November 8th, can I vote in the Runoff Election on December 6? YES! If you are a registered voter, you can vote in the Runoff even if you didn't vote in the General Election. For more questions/answers, click here for our Vote Your Voice Runoff FAQ blog post.

Links:
We are consistently adding new events to our calendar! Be sure to check out our website for a full list of upcoming programming.
Wed, Dec 14, 2022 11:30 AM EST
Children & Families Strategy Team
Cobb & Douglas Public Health Board Room, Marietta
For additional resources, please click here for back issues of our Collaborative Connection newsletters.
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Serving the Cobb County Community since 1997.