The Metro Times Atlanta August 2018 | Page 9

AUGUST 2018

MOM ’ S CORNER

IT TAKES A VILLAGE …

FAMILY LIVING

If you have been to AWAKE Coffee Co , in Olde Town Conyers , chances are pretty high that you have seen at least one of our kiddos running around . You might see my son , wearing someone ’ s motorcycle helmet or sitting at the coffee bar having a conversation . He ’ s three years old . You will probably see my daughter being held by our friends because everyone loves to hold that sweet girl . She ’ ll put a smile on your face . I am a firm believer that it does take a village to raise a child . My children are very well-behaved most of the time unless they are hungry or exhausted . Who can blame them ? I ’ m pretty snarky when I ’ m hungry or tired too . I believe they are this way because we invite the help of our friends and family into the process of raising our children . I think God designed us for community because He knew each person would bring a different aspect to our lives . He knew we would need help .

I am not embarrassed when one of my friends firmly tells my son

WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY

Shivern Jeter , Director Foster Care Friends , Inc .

Foster Care Friends , Inc . is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit that has been created for providing resources for the foster care community . As our organization is expanding , we are excited that we are being presented with many opportunities to give more resources to the actual community , not just assisting with our foster homes .

For example , we are pleased to announce that we are now partnering with Cynthia O ’ Neal , Director of Rockdale County Community Resources , which will allow us to serve more children . We are also accepting infant / toddler bedroom furniture , nursery items , diapers , personal hygiene items , clothing

It ’ s no secret that we are living in divisive times . Whether the difference is political , racial , or religious , the truth of the matter is that communities are being torn apart because of differences . Even with our differences , there needs to be room for community development , empowerment , and good old fashion working together . In this issue that focuses on community , I would like all of us to adopt the concept of a salad bowl . That ’ s right … a salad bowl .

Let ’ s look at the makeup of a salad bowl . Many ingredients come together to make the salad look and taste good . No ingredient is more important than the other . No ingredient is overlooked . The ingredients are not trying to outshine other ingredients . In a real sense , donations as well as financial donations . Also , if you need any of these services , please contact us , to see how we may be of assistance to you .

It is also our pleasure to announce that we are now proud partners with the Red Cross ! We are officially a “ Red Cross Licensed Training Provider .” We are providing First Aid / CPR / AED certifications . Registration is now open for classes for September . This is an excellent opportunity for anyone to get out or we can come to your location to provide training . We are inviting all daycares , schools , public and private and nursing homes to contact us for your training needs . We also offer a babysitting training course to help some of our younger clients to save lives should an incident occur . We offer class and individual training sessions . If you or your company happen to need a notary , we are also a certified notary location .

As always , we continue to assist in all your foster care transitional needs . We provide clothing for all ages ( infant through adult sizes ), bedroom furniture , personal hygiene items , toys ( also , for Christmas ), school supplies , car seats , and all things that your little ones might need . We continue to ask for your support as we continue to support our beautiful community ! Give us a call if you have questions at 678-524-0689 .

each ingredient has a purpose and its purpose is to add value and nutrition to the bowl .

As a community of different people with different ideologies , we need to co me together to enrich each other ’ s lives . We do that by looking and seeing an individual as a human being with unique traits , qualities , and characteristics and not judging them based on stereotypes . Operating on stereotypes damages community relations and when that happens , nothing positive comes out of it . We shouldn ’ t put labels on any person .

Here are some things we can do to help support our community :

Get to know one another as a person . We should not only know someone by their political , racial , or religious affiliation . Take interest in where they came from and what to stop doing something . He learns to listen to other authorities besides myself and his father . He learns the value of having many different trusted people speaking into his life . Just yesterday , I was told by Isaac , one of our friends that he had to firmly correct my son and afterwards my son was feeling hurt . Isaac knew that he needed to mend the relationship so he asked my son to help him bring bags of coffee into the shop from his car . He said my son worked hard , bringing bag after bag into the shop . We know there is value in letting our son learn from others . He ’ s learning how to work within the context of relationship . I think that is pretty healthy !

The other day , as we were driving home at night and we drove by the coffee shop . My son said , “ Oh no … the coffee shop is dark … where are

By Dr . Sinclair N . Grey III

Did you know some people are one or two paychecks away from poverty ? These individuals could be a member of our family , a neighbor who appears to have it all together , or a coworker . We might not be able to know about someone ’ s well-being just by looking at them . Did you know some people are being released from jail and / or prison with nowhere to go and in many cases , devoid of any resources to get their life together ?

In Covington , Georgia , the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter offers hope to those who believe that life has given up on them . Located at 7153 Turner Lake Circle , the shelter is the only shelter serving six counties ( Walton , Newton , Rockdale , Morgan ,

COMMUNITY IS LIKE A SALAD BOWL

By Dr . Sinclair N . Grey III

made them who they are today . Spend time with each other through community volunteerism . By volunteering , you ’ re not only giving back to the community , you ’ re working together for a common good Promote positivity . With so much negativity happening all around us ,

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all the people ?” I explained to him that the coffee shop closes at night and all the people are at home . He proceeded to ask me where each person was by name and we tried to figure out where they might be . He cares about every person in our community . He learns something new every day from different people .

Last weekend , my roommate , Alexandra , took the kids for the whole day so my husband and I could work on a project . She took them to Target ( because that ’ s what every mom does when it ’ s raining outside ) and then she took them to AWAKE . We had a conversation about her experience , and she said , “ I don ’ t know how you guys do that every day .” We talked about how it is much easier when you have people helping . She agreed that you need community . You can raise a child without people but its a lot easier when you have the whole village helping you !

HOW A LOCAL HOMELESS SHELTER IS IMPACTING

LIVES

Butts , and Jasper ).

The shelter houses both men , women , and children . Many of the residents are through the Georgia Re-entry Program . The length of stay is 90 days for nonviolent offenders . In addition to accepting individuals through this program , the shelter also offers emergency housing for 30 days for people who face eviction . It ’ s important to know that all individuals who come to the shelter must do so by referral .

Individuals who live in the shelter are evaluated by qualified staff members . They are provided basic life skills to help them cope with mental and emotional issues . Without assuming anything , the shelter is committed to assisting individuals to achieve success .

Rev . Clara Lett is the founder and executive director of the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter . With a host of volunteers , Rev . Lett and the shelter are always looking for assistance . To learn more about the shelter , please call 770-787-8519 .

let ’ s rise above the status quo and share a positive word with someone . It could make all the difference in someone ’ s life .

Just as a salad is healthy , so is a community that ’ s vibrant , loving , and caring . Let ’ s put aside anything that seems impossible and strive to make all things possible .

DANIEL S . DIGBY Attorney at Law

Daniel S . Digby & Associates , LLC 946 South Main St . NE , Conyers GA 30012

Phone : [phone]

Fax : [phone]

Email : DSDIGBY @ BELLSOUTH . NET