A Recovery Community That Is STRONG! |
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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. |
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In this month's Commissioner's Corner Dr. Doreen Williams will speak about National Recovery Month which was launched by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 1989, to spread awareness around mental health and substance misuse and also to celebrate the success stories to illustrate that living in recovery is possible.
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2nd Annual Paint Olde Town Purple Campaign |
We would like to thank the City of Conyers and the Olde Town merchants for their continued support in spreading awareness of National Recovery Month! |
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Grit and Grace Community
Listening Session
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Grit and Grace held a successful Community Listening session, bringing several representatives from all walks of life together to give imput and suggestions for the development of services at the recovery center.
With over 50 voices in attendance, suggestions were given for community needs in the areas of transportation, group support, resources, trainings and learning workshops as well as suggestions for partnerships.
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Accountability Court Kickball Graduation |
The Rockdale Accountability Court held their September graduation at Costley Mill Park where they celebrated the promotion of several graduates! Immediately following the ceremony, the court staff competed against the program graduates and participates in an entertaining and competitive game of kickball. The participants came out victorious with a final score of 5-3! |
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3RD Annual Sounds of Support |
The Newton and Rockdale Suicide Prevention Coalition would like to give a special thanks to all that came out to attend the beautiful outdoor 'Sounds of Support' concert that was held on the Covington Square. There were resource vendors, LIVE Speakers, music and plenty of fun! |
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2ND Annual Year of the Peer Red Carpet Awards Ceremony |
The Year of the Peer Awards, presented by Grit and Grace in collaboration with the Rockdale Stepping Up Initiative was the Rockdale Recovery Month Grand Finale event and successfully SOLD OUT! This event celebrated people in recovery along with community partners, stakeholders and allies. There was great food, recovery speakers, a Live Jazz performance and giveaway prizes! |
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Aaron Vazquez has been selected as the Champion of Recovery because of his resilience and commitment to recovery and along with his drive to rebuild the family bonds that were damaged during his addiction. We are proud to call Aaron one of our own in the Rockdale County Recovery Community.
Click on the video to hear Aaron's Story
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We are proud to announce this month's Champion of Change is Thandiwe Harris. Thandiwe is a Certified Peer Specialist for Parents and a proponent of the peer support movement; why because she knows how valuable and effective it is. Thandiwe believes that recovery is possible, everyone deserves to have a meaningful life, and we all play a vital role in the recovery process. As a CPS-P, Thandiwe uses her lived experience and certification to connect to parents authentically and to convey a
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message of hope because she knows from experience the disruptions behavioral health challenges can cause at home, school, and in the community. Thandiwe has five amazing children, one of whom is our very own Aaron Vasquez, and two wonderful grandchildren. Thandiwe enjoys writing poetry and serving in her community. Thandiwe has worked as a parent CPS for over three years in Intensive Customized Care Coordination, IC3, and considers it a privilege to serve families. Thandiwe most recently became the Parent and Youth Peer Specialist Coordinator for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities! We would like to recognize Thandiwe for her continued efforts to supporting families and serving our most vulnerable populations and that is why she is this months Champion of Change! Thank you Thandiwe Harris from the Rockdale Community!
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SUPPORT YOUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY!
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Calling all Rockdale Accountability Court Alumni!!!! Join us on October 13, 2022 at 7:30pm for our RE-CONNECT Meeting (Every 2nd and 4th Thurday of the month). This week we will be having food, games, music and fun! Location is @GRIT & GRACE 1400 PARKER RD. CONYERS GA 30094 |
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Walton Empowers will be hosting a Fall Recovery Block Party with FREE Food, music, speakers, games, and LIVE Performances and MORE! This is a free event. On the Lawn of Grace Monroe Church 203 Bold Springs Ave. Monroe, GA 30655. Visit their Facebook page for more information. |
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NAMI Rockdale Newton will be participating in NAMIWalks Your Way 2022! When you join or support our team, you are contributing to the movement and this moment of opening doors throughout the mental health world. United, we are a force: increasing awareness, raising funds and building a stronger community.
We’re in this together, and together we will walk toward a future where our dream of Mental Health for All comes true.
Donate $50 or more between 10/05-10/12 for the chance to win. The winner will be announced on October 13th.
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The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network Annual Conference will be held ONLINE October 28, 2022. In short, they plan to pause, and reflect on who we are, and who we want to be. A slate of presenters to inform and guide our community discussion is being assembled and will be released soon.
Pre-registration is open now, and the full schedule will be posted soon. Watch the GMHCN Facebook page and the gmhcn.org website for more information.
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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. |
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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! |
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Click resource images for more information |
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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
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2800 SW HWY 138
Conyers, GA 30094
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