Every community has a wide range of needs and Cobb County is no exception. Improving the lives of everyone in a community is a daunting and complex challenge. But there is a way for all of us to work together towards collectively improving our county. The concept of the Collaborative is as simple as it is innovative: we bring local organizations together to serve our community. When organizations put their HANDS IN with the Collaborative, it allows us all to have a greater HANDS ON impact for Cobb.

We are honored to have Collaborative members forming strong partnerships throughout the community. We would like to recognize the following member organizations who renewed in recent weeks:

We would also like to extend a warm welcome to new Collaborative members who have joined recently:

Visit our Member Directory webpage for links to member organizations.

If you aren’t already a Collaborative Member, there has never been a better time to join. We’ll be hosting networking events like our ‘Coffee with the Collaborative’ more frequently starting next year, so now is the best time to get plugged in with the Collaborative network. Join via on our Membership web page to see the benefits in action for yourself when you put your hand in with ours.

Please note that we need ALL RSVPs to be submitted no later than 5:00PM on Tuesday, November 29, in order to get a headcount to the caterer.

Mental health affects all of us regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, ADHD, addictions, and bipolar disorder are all examples of common, treatable mental health conditions. 20% of American adults and youth ages 13-18 experience mental illness.

While the holiday season is a happy time for many, it can also be a time of increased stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges. It’s important to know that asking for help is okay. Our Mind Your Mind web page provides access to information and local resources to help you navigate mental health situations.

La salud mental nos afecta a todos, independientemente de la cultura, raza, etnia, género u orientación sexual. Los trastornos de ansiedad, los trastornos alimentarios, la depresión, el TDAH, las adicciones y el trastorno bipolar son ejemplos de afecciones de salud mental comunes y tratables. El 20% de los adultos y jóvenes estadounidenses de entre 13 y 18 años padecen enfermedades mentales.

Si bien la temporada navideña es un momento feliz para muchos, también puede ser un momento de mayor estrés, ansiedad y otros desafíos de salud mental.Es importante saber que está bien pedir ayuda. Nuestro Cuida tu Mente página proporciona acceso a información y recursos locales para ayudarte a navegar su situación.

1000 Books B4 Kindergarten (1000B4K) is a program that encourages families to read at least 1,000 books with their child before they enter kindergarten. This free program is an initiative launched by the Georgia Public Library Service in support of early literacy.

Research confirms that exposing children to books before they begin kindergarten helps in the development of language and literacy skills. These skills will help them be more successful in the classroom. It is also a great way to spend quality time with your child. And it’s fun!

1000 Books B4 Kindergarten program is for young children who have not yet entered kindergarten. It is for any child aged birth-kindergarten. Children do not have to live in Cobb County to participate. 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.

So how do we stay civically engaged after we cast our ballot? Voting is just the first step in the process, but we can continue being civically engaged by getting involved in our community and with our elected officials. Community events, from farmers markets to cultural festivals to recycling days, are abundant within Cobb. Not only are they fun and family-friendly, they also give us a chance to get to know our community leaders and elected officials since they are likely to attend or even host these events. When we engage with our leaders, such as commissioners or city council members, we can provide a perspective that more accurately reflects the needs of our community and includes us in the decision-making process. 

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.

Events above will benefit Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta.