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 month's Commissioners Corner, she shares two stories and discusses a very important characteristic, found to be common in both stories, that she encourages people to practice.
Breaking Recovery News!
9-8-8 Launches This Month
A direct, national three-digit line, 9-8-8, will open the door for millions of Americans to seek the help they need, while sending the message to the country that healing, hope and help are happening every day. In Georgia, the 9-8-8 calls will be answered by the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 
CHAMPIONS OF RECOVERY
Hannah and Scott's Story
We want to congratulate both Scott and Hannah on their recent graduation from the Rockdale County Family Treatment court program. They both committed to the hard work and dedication to build tremendous family bonds. They are truly a symbol of hope, that with support and positive community connections recovery is possible!
Click on the videos to hear Scott and Hannah's story
CHAMPION OF CHANGE
Karen James
We are proud to announce this month's Champion of Change is Karen James, who describes herself as a wife, mom, grandma, coach and a mentor with a heart to serve! We are no strangers to witnessing Karen's passion for supporting her community. Her heart for families and community led to the birth of “We Are The Village Inc” in 2011, an organization committed to educating and empowering the family unit through mentoring and training programs.
Karen also serves as the Board of Directors Policy Reform Advocate for the National Incarceration Association with more than 33 years of federal government administration and human resources experience. She is a valuable ally to our recovery community and we are proud to have such a devoted and passionate partner to call our own. Thank you Karen James for your commitment to changing our community in a positive way and always being a symbol of hope to all of us!
SUPPORT YOUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY!
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FREE Family Nutrition Event
Come out and join us for a free community health and nutrition workshop held at Grit & Grace 1400 Parker Rd. Conyers, GA on Friday July 29, 2022 from 10:00am - 12:00pm.
The Georgia School grew from many years of experience with and support of the Southeastern School of Alcohol and Drug Studies, which was among the oldest existing regional training events of its kind.
The annual conference promises to help participants return to their community ready to roll up their sleeves with renewed energy, motivation, and commitment.
July 16, 2022 All Recovery Summerfest Fundraiser For The Gwinnett Room. If you are a business owner in recovery and would like to introduce your business to the recovery community in Gwinnett and surrounding counties this might be a great opportunity for you. There will be live performers and some of the vendors who will be showing off their business. For more information, follow Rickey Davis of Facebook.
Wellness Conference
If you are in the Atlanta area on July 9th don't miss this wonderful conference! This 3-hour event is packed full with uplifting information, live music, door prizes, swag bags and a CRUISE giveaway yes we are giving away a cabin for my upcoming WRING OUT YOUR SPONGE CRUISE May 2023!!
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 RESOURCES
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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