Cobb Collaborative is excited to host our 2022 Resilient Cobb Summit in partnership with Resilient Georgia on Tuesday, February 1, at Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

This half-day symposium focuses on our trauma-informed work in Cobb and emphasizes the importance of this work in building thriving communities. We will share information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and why intervention is critical. Come join us to learn, share best practices, and work together to help make Cobb a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive community.

Highlights of the program:

Click here for registration.

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If you were like most, your middle school years were filled with feelings of self-consciousness, even awkwardness. In that delicate middle ground, having someone to talk to and confide in with trust is paramount.

Consider that in the span of one hour, many of us have...

January is National Mentoring Month. Consider spending a minimum of one hour a week developing a mutually fulfilling and rewarding relationship with one of our youth. When you share your gifts, your life lessons and your example, you can help change the lives of others.

Please contact Anjeannette Barker, CCSD Mentor Coordinator, for more information at anjeannette.foster-baker@cobbk12.org. Click here for more information/registration.

As the local point of contact for the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the Cobb Collaborative works to improve 3rd grade reading levels in Cobb County. Data reveals that children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to graduate from high school—paving the way to higher education, better employment opportunities, and improved health outcomes. Driven by the motivation of increasing access to books to improve reading achievement, the Collaborative set a goal of installing 21 Little Free Libraries across Cobb County in 2021. In December, this goal was achieved with the installation of Little Free Libraries at McCall Primary School, Argyle Elementary School, and Cumberland Community Church.  

“Research tells us that starting from birth, frequent and interactive book reading is associated with cognitive and language development.” says Cobb Collaborative Executive Director Irene Barton. She further states that “One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase access to books, especially at home and in their native language. We are dedicated to the process of making that happen in our community.” 

Collectively, the 21 Little Free Libraries are placed in many areas across Cobb County including schools, apartment complexes, churches, and early learning centers. Green Acres Principal Ashley Mize said, “We are very excited at Green Acres to have our new Little Free Library! Our community has a need and we have wanted to do this for several years. Many of our students live within walking distance to the school so it is perfect for the students to access after school and on the weekends.” Susan Ciavolino, who hosts The Bee Library - a Little Free Library at her home in Smyrna, says, “Thanks to Cobb Collaborative and Irene Barton for being a part and bringing other community members along.” 

 

The “21 in 2021” LFL initiative was a quintessential collaborative effort, with support from partners including Cobb County School District, Marietta City Schools, United Way of Greater Atlanta Northwest Region, American Opportunity Foundation, Scout troops, businesses, civic associations and Greystone Power Operation Roundup. Additionally, countless supporters donated new and gently used books to help fill and maintain the Little Free Libraries. 

Little Free Library (LFL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting books in the hands of children and adults in communities around the world. These book-sharing boxes remove barriers to book access by being available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day with free accessibility. They operate under the “Take One, Leave One” theory which encourages readers to not only take a book, but to leave one for others when there is an ability to do so. To find out where Little Free Libraries are located in your area, please visit click here. For those interested in sponsoring or hosting a Little Free Library in 2022, please contact Irene Barton for additional information at ibarton@cobbcollaborative.org

 

United Way of Greater Atlanta recognizes that it takes many different nonprofit partners to meet the complex needs of families. We are opening our Child Well-Being Mission Fund to invest in new partners that are working to address the complex needs of families and children. Each of the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) identify specific strategies that we are looking to fund within each priority investment area. Applications will open for all opportunities on January 12, 2022.

You can read more about the funding opportunities for our four investment priorities: Strong Learners, College and Career Ready, Economic Stability, Brighter Future, and the COVID-19 Recovery to Rebuilding Capacity Building opportunities by attending a learning session on January 7 or 11, 2022.

The City of Smyrna is requesting electronic sealed proposals from qualified firms to assist with administration of the CDBG Home Repair Grant Program. This is a Community Development Block Grant funded project.

Proposals will be received before 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 on the BidNet Direct electronic solicitation system.

The City of Smyrna uses an e-procurement system for electronic solicitation through BidNet Direct and the proposal documents are available on BidNet’s Georgia Purchasing Group website via the City of Smyrna Purchasing Department’s Web Portal for Sealed Bids by clicking here.

Click here for our blog post with RFP PDF.

Please click here for our most recent special edition newsletter that contains resources for Nonprofits.

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

Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton, is a leader with TechSoup Georgia.

Join Irene & the TechSoup Connect Georgia Chapter on January 11 at 12pm EST) for a virtual event - "Decrypting Cryptocurrency - Are You Missing Out?"

Cryptocurrency is at a market cap of over $2 trillion, and crypto donations are on the rise. Come to this session to learn about crypto and how your 501(c)(3) public charity can easily accept crypto support in cash for free and without additional legal/accounting hassles.

PCA Georgia's 90-minute virtual mandated reporter training helps participants understand how to fulfill their role as a mandated reporters by recognizing, responding and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect while also serving as mandated supporters for families. 

These free trainings are open to the public and provided quarterly by the experts at PCA Georgia. Please click here for registration information. The Mandated Reporter Training will be on January 18, 2022.

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