It's time for our final edition of the "Collaborative Connection" newsletter of 2022. This has been another incredible and incredibly active year for the Collaborative as well as our members and partner organizations. We remain grateful for the unwavering dedication and support that drive our mission and advocacy forward day by day, month by month, year by year! We look forward to continuing the positive momentum into 2023 and beyond.

On behalf of all of us at Cobb Collaborative, we wish everyone a very happy remainder of the holiday season. We also send our very best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023!

Sincerely,

Irene Barton, Executive Director

Kaleigh Raulerson, Program Director

Kelly Mellen, Communications Director

Kaitlyn Ball, Vote Your Voice Coordinator

Leslie Danford, Literacy Coordinator

Did you know that 20% of American adults and youth ages 13-18 experience mental illness? That means about 1 in every 5 people experiences some sort of mental health challenge.

De-stigmatizing mental health is crucial because stigmas attached to mental health create unfair bias and perception. The fact is, mental health a vital component to every person's overall well-being. It is important for each of us to educate ourselves about mental health and talk about it because starting conversations can improve outcomes and save lives.

Ways to help de-stigmatize mental health include:

At the Cobb Collaborative, we are working to help change the narrative from "What is WRONG with you?" to "What happened to you?" A shift in perspective is yet another way we can help de-stigmatize mental health, build trauma-informed communities, and promote resilience for all people.

For additional mental health resources, please visit our Mind Your Mind web page.

At Cobb Collaborative we are thrilled to be coordinating Literacy Ambassadors for the Literacy and Justice for All campaign with Marietta City Schools. Literacy Ambassadors are members of the community who have a passion for literacy and want to make a difference in the lives of families. Each Literacy Ambassador is assigned a Marietta City Elementary School to collaborate with and they work closely with the principals and PTA/PTSA of the schools. The goal of the Literacy Ambassador program is to be a liaison between what is happening in the classroom and what parents and other caregivers can do at home to support their children's learning. Activities our Literacy Ambassadors have participated in this school year include speaking to families at a "Coffee with the Principal", supporting the Reflections and Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl programs, creating a video for families about the benefits of reading at home, and handing out free age appropriate books to families during an open food pantry at a local church. For more information on becoming a Literacy Ambassador in the Marietta City School District and continuing their amazing work, you can email Cobb Collaborative Literacy Coordinator, Leslie Danford.

The following is a video that was created by one of our wonderful Literacy Ambassadors, Sonja Andrews.

To learn more about Cobb Collaborative's Literacy initiative, please click here to visit our Literacy web page.

Civic engagement is defined as "individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern*." Not all civic engagement looks the same and can vary from person to person. What matters is that you, as an individual, are part of a collective that can make a significant impact on your community. From volunteering at your local food pantry to writing letters to elected officials to starting a community focus group, there are plenty of ways to stay civically engaged after you cast your ballot.

Below are different ways that you can incorporate civic engagement throughout the various aspects of your life:

Civic engagement comes in many forms, so get creative in how you incorporate civic engagement in your life. When we cultivate a community that is engaged on every level, we can see a greater change in the environment surrounding us. Stay tuned for more civic engagement opportunities from Cobb Collaborative.

(*Reference: American Psychological Association. (2009). Civic Engagement.)

We are consistently adding new events to our calendar! Be sure to check out our website for a full list of upcoming programming.

For additional Resources please click here for back issues of our Collaborative Connection newsletters. If you have a Resource you would like to submit for publication in our newsletter, please email Kelly Mellen. Newsletter dates and submission due dates can be found on our website.

We have recently been made aware that a Cobb Collaborative email address has been spoofed and emails are being sent to Members indicating that membership fees are due.

PLEASE NOTE:

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can to do prevent spoofed emails. So, we encourage diligence and welcome you all to verify information with us as needed. Thank you!