A Recovery Community That Is STRONG!
This newsletter will be released once a month to recap recovery news and resources. You will also experience a word from Commissioner Doreen Williams, personal recovery stories and information on how to support the Rockdale County Stepping Up Initiative in our ongoing efforts to reduce the number of people in the criminal justice system with mental health and substance use challenges.
COMMISSIONER'S CORNER
Commissioner Dr. Doreen Williams provides a monthly recap for the Rockdale County recovery community and their partners, allies and stakeholders. In this months recap she reviews 8 healthy questions or statements for people in recovery during the holidays. Please have a safe and fun holiday from the Rockdale Stepping Up Initiative team!
Breaking Recovery News!
CHAMPION OF RECOVERY
Thomas' Journey
Thomas Cain has been selected as the Champion of Recovery because of his dedication to serving others in recovery and his commitment to using his lived experience while walking alongside people to reduce recidivism in todays society. We are proud to have him as an active member of the Rockdale County Opening Doors to Recovery Team and the Recovery Community.
Click on the video to hear Thomas' Story
CHAMPION OF CHANGE
Superior Court Judge Nancy Bills
We are proud to announce this month's Champion of Change is Judge Nancy Bills.
She presently is the Superior Court Judge for Rockdale County and amongst the strongest of advocates for recovery! Judge Bills was the first to start the DUI Court here in Rockdale County in 2007 and a Family Violence Court in 2013 as she served four terms on the State Court Bench! She was also selected by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMIGA) to receive a 2021 Legislative A-Team Award.
Judge Bills has been a tireless advocate for the implementation of peer support, not only in the Accountability Court System but a Champion of Change. From the highest levels of government in Rockdale County to the dunking booth in the parking lot, always standing beside us as we have strived to create a recovery community that is strong! Thank you so much Judge Nancy Bills! We are so grateful to have you as a mover and shaker, partner, advocate and ally for the Rockdale Community!
SUPPORT YOUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY!
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs has announced their Community Town Hall Symposium scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 14 - 6:30 to 8:00 pm (see attached flyer). So many thanks to our partners who are out there working hard to engage our community in support for our youths' health and wellness. 

For details or to rsvp for a table, contact:
Dr. Karen Citizen-Wilcox, EdD
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc.
Register now for the last Ask the Expert webinar of the year! Join us and Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya on Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. ET as he takes us on an exploration of sound and music and its impact on our brain functions.
GRIT & GRACE RCO
As we continue to intentionally grow in our recovery we invite you to our daily Recovery Oriented zoom meetings in hopes that our recovery community will also grow in numbers. We know that it is our duty to carry the recovery message to those that still suffer. If you or a loved one needs the support of a recovery community, we meet every weekday at 11am and 6pm and again on Saturdays at 6pm. Please follow our Grit & Grace RCO pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our new YouTube and Podcast Channels to show your support and stay connected.
RECOVERY CAPITAL KICKOFF CAMPAIGN
It is our goal to provide people support, care and resources they need to sustain long term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. We have a new building to grow in and we need our community's support.Your donations will make a real contribution to the recovery community. We are accepting monetary and in-kind donations such as office supplies, folding chairs, file cabinets, as well as volunteer services to help our upcoming renovation projects!
Click resource images for more information
PARTNERSHIPS
The Rockdale County Stepping Up Initiative acknowledges that it takes a community and we are truly grateful for the the continued support of the following partnerships:

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners
Rockdale State Court
Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office
City of Conyers Police Department 
Piedmont Rockdale Hospital
Rockdale County Accountability Courts
Grit & Grace: A Rockdale Recovery Organization, Inc.
Viewpoint Health
Restoration Storehouse
E911
Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office
Rockdale County Public Defender’s Office
Rockdale County Probate Judge
Rockdale County Magistrate Judge
2800 SW HWY 138
Conyers, GA 30094
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