October 19, 2023

Dear Cobb Collaborative Network:

One of the three central initiatives of the Cobb Collaborative is literacy. Research shows that early literacy is key to academic and lifelong success. In support of our literacy initiative, we are THRILLED to participate in Marietta Community Reads and the Mayors Reading Club. Each month, we distribute books and activity kits in the community through these programs.

This month's featured book is "Maybe Something Beautiful" by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell. Each kit contains a copy of this wonderful book as well as a set of watercolors and some watercolor paper for the children to make their own art to give to neighbors. Parents & caregivers are encouraged to read the book with children and ask the inquiry question, "How can my community work together to help everyone?"

Marietta kits are graciously supported by Literacy and Justice For All and can be picked up at the following locations:

• Switzer Library - 266 Roswell Street, Marietta GA 30060
• YELLS, Inc. - 779 Franklin Gateway, Marietta, GA 30067

Austell's reading kits are provided thanks to United Way of Greater Atlanta and can be picked up at the Sweetwater Library branch at Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd SW, Austell, GA 30106.

Powder Springs' reading kits are funded through Greystone Power's Operation: Round Up and can be picked up at the following locations:

• The Book Worm Bookstore - 4451 Marietta St, Powder Springs, GA 30127
• Powder Springs Library – 4181 Atlanta St, Powder Springs, GA 30127
• Headpoets Barbershop - 4400 Brownsville Rd Suite 109, Powder Springs, GA 30127

THANK YOU to our sponsors and our pick-up location partners for helping us bring the gift of literacy into the community. Keep an eye on our social media outlets for monthly reading kit distribution.

Warmly,

Irene Barton

Cobb Collaborative Executive Director

One of the many benefits to Cobb Collaborative membership is that Collaborative Members have the opportunity to nominate individuals for our annual Jack Vaughan, Jr Human Services Awards. 

This year year we are pleased to offer online nomination forms rather than having to fill out, scan, upload and send PDF forms as done in the past. Click here to access our web page with nomination forms in both the processional and volunteer categories.

Please note:

• Individuals who have been nominated/honored in the last three years are NOT eligible for nomination in 2023.
• Nominees must be employed or volunteer with a Cobb Collaborative member organization.
• Agencies are welcome to submit in both the volunteer and professional categories. Please do your best to limit nominations to one per category. 
• Nominations are due no later than 5:00PM EST on Friday, October 27, 2023.

We look forward to receiving this year's nominations AND celebrating all nominees in December at our Fourth Quarter General Membership Meeting & Human Services Awards Luncheon on December 6, 2023 at Piedmont Church.

Be sure to check our Cobb Collaborative Events page for additional events and visit our Training Opportunities page to request scheduling of events.

Cobb Collaborative has renewed our group membership with the Georgia Association of Volunteer Administration (GAVA). A benefit of of this group membership allows our Collaborative Members exclusive access to attend GAVA programming FREE of charge.

For more information on gaining access to this resource, please email Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton.

The Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) is now accepting responses for its Logan's List database to identify those members of our community with special needs. The voluntary database allows Cobb DEC personnel to alert law enforcement or emergency responders that there are individuals in a home with special needs that could impede their ability to communicate with them. Signed into law in May 2021 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Logan's List was inspired by a Georgia teen with autism and other special needs.

Click here for more information. To register for the Cobb County 911 Logan's List database or more information, visit their website, cobbcounty.org/911, email 911LogansList@cobbcounty.org, or call 770-590-5711. 

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