PROTECTING CHILDREN | REBUILDING FAMILIES EMPOWERING CAREGIVERS
[ WHO WE SERVE ]
Children in foster care, victims of domestic violence, and the foster and adoptive families in our community. SAFFT is your family crisis center in Forsyth County and North Georgia.
[ 2015 IMPACT ]
312 children protected 212 families in crisis restored 60 caregivers empowered <5% of children reentered foster care Volunteer, Donate, or Learn more
www.SAFFT.org
770-886-9505
219 CASTLEBERRY ROAD | CUMMING, GA 30040
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t’s one of my favorite things about being a part of Forsyth County. People reaching out, helping others and finding new ways to make a positive impact on our community has helped make Forsyth what it is today. Inside these pages, you’ll see many of the people and organizations that are shaping Forsyth’s future. You’ll find those tackling tough issues — issues like addiction, homelessness, hunger, domestic violence and illness. You’ll also find those that are preserving the beauty of our community, giving our children safe places to gather and raising funds to help others. This guide, and the accompanying website at forsythnews. com/nonprofits, is designed to help bridge the gap between those people and organizations who help others, those who need help and those looking to help. We hope it provides insight into the causes that they impact and the reasons that they exist. We hope it also gives you a window into how your own gifts may be able to help the community surrounding you. From volunteer hours to financial contributions and charitable donations, there are numerous ways to support worthwhile causes in Forsyth County. We at the Forsyth County News are grateful for this community and our place in it as the county’s largest media audience, an audience that has grown in recent years at rapid rates. We see this guide as one of the ways to use our platform to help — at least in some small way — make Forsyth County a better Vince Johnson place to live and grow. Publisher, Forsyth County News
/NonProfits
Abba House Inc. www.abbahouse.com 6800 Dahlonega Hwy. Cumming, GA 30028 Phone: (678) 208-2000 Fax: (678) 947-2899 AboutFace-Veterans/Family Transition, Reintegration and Community Education Program Inc. 4920 Atlanta Hwy #403 Alpharetta, GA 30004 (404) 862-2141 www.AboutFace-USA.org Acoustic Neuroma Association Allison S. Feldman, CEO 600 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 108 Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 205-8211 info@ANAUSA.org Age Well Forsyth Inc. www.agewellforsyth.com 133 Samaritan Drive, Suite 101, Cumming, GA 30040 P. O. Box 2206, Cumming, GA 30028 (404) 245-7949 American Legion www.american legionpost307.org P.O. Box 2624 Cumming, GA 30028 Email: GAPost307@gmail.com Bald Ridge Lodge Inc. www.baldridgelodge.org 505 Lakeland Plaza, Suite 302 Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: (770) 887-1220 Fax: (770) 887-4161
Bearfoot Ranch Inc. www.bearfootranch.org • East campus: 9220 Waldrip Road Gainesville, GA 30506 (678) 805-7433 • West campus: 5150 Oak Grove Circle Cumming, GA 30028 (678) 805-7433 Casa Of Forsyth County Inc. www.forsythcountycasa.org 875 Lanier 400 Pkwy., Box 7 Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: (770) 886-4082 Fax: (678) 648-9486 Children’s at Forsyth www.choa.org The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming, GA 30041 (404) 785-3100 Childrens Center For Hope and Healing www.hopeandhealingga.org 327 Dahlonega Street Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 889-8819 Cumming Home Ministries Inc. www.cumminghome ministries.org 433 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 888-4338 Cumming Civitan Club www.civitan.org/ clubs/cumming-ga Discovering Hope Al-Anon Family Group St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road, Bldg. B
Cumming, GA 30040 (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org
133 Samaritan Drive Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 205-1701
Dyslexia Network of Forsyth County www.dyslexiaforsyth.com
Forsyth County Community Foundation 212 Kelly Mill Road Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-6461 jmccoy@cummingforsyth chamber.org
Faith’s House www.faithshouseinc.org Family Promise of Forsyth County www.familypromiseofforsythcounty.org P.O. Box-3305 Cumming GA 30028 (404) 803-8899 (770) 315-7113 First Steps Alateen on Shiloh Road St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road, Faith Info Ctr. Bldg. Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org Food For Thought Project Inc. www.fftpinc.org Forsyth County S.A.L.T. www.forsythsheriff.org/programs-2/s-a-l-t/ (770) 781-2222 Forsyth County Child Advocacy Center Inc. www.forsythcountycac.org 1480 Bettis Tribble Gap Road Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 208-1909 Forsyth County Community Connection Inc. www.connectforsyth.org
Forsyth County Cops & Kids Inc. www.dplandlodge82.org FOP Lodge #82, PO Box 1374 Cumming, GA 30041 Forsyth County Family Haven Inc. www.forsythcounty familyhaven.info • 107 Colony Park Drive Cumming, GA, (770) 889-6384 • PO Box 1160. Cumming, GA (770) 887-1121 Forsyth County Family YMCA www.ymcaatlanta.org/fcy/ 6050 Y Street, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 888-2788 Forsyth County Humane Society Inc. www.forsythpets.org 4440 Keith Bridge Road Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 887-6480 Forsyth County Extension www.caes.uga.edu/ extension/forsyth/ 875 Lanier 400 Pkwy. Suite 158
Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-2418 Forsyth County Lions Club Inc. www.forsythcountylions.org P.O. Box 1317 Cumming, GA 30028-1317 Phone: (770) 887-1609 Email: forsythcountylions@ gmail.com Forsyth County Ministerial Association 8390 Lanier Drive, Cumming, GA 30041 Forsyth County Public Library www.forsythpl.org (770) 781-9840 • Cumming Library 585 Dahlonega Road Cumming, GA 30040 • Hampton Park Library 5345 Settingdown Road Cumming, GA 30041 • Post Road Library 5010 Post Road Cumming, GA 30040 • Sharon Forks Library 2820 Old Atlanta Road Cumming, GA 30041 Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club www.fcoptimists.org P.O. Box 111, Cumming, GA 30028 (770) 781-6302 Furkids Inc. 1520 Union Hill Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 (770) 613-0009 (Ext. 109) www.furkids.org
Georgia Highlands Medical Services Inc. www.ghms-inc.org 260 Elm Street Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-1668 Girls on the Run Forsyth www.girlsontherunnorthga.org 102 Colony Park Drive, Suite 100 Cumming, GA 30040 (404) 667-4101 Goodwill www.goodwillng.org (404) 420-9900 • North Johns Creek 1595 Peachtree Parkway Cumming, GA 30041 (678) 965-4560 • North Forsyth Donation Center 2655 Freedom Parkway Cumming, GA 30041 (678) 513-2545 • Grasslands Store 375 McFarland Pkwy Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 (770) 664-5014 Helping Hands Partners Limited 523 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 341-8075 www.helpinghandspartners. com Hope on Shiloh Road Al-Anon Family Group St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road, Bldg. B Cumming, GA 30040 (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org The Impact One Project P.O. Box 3335
Forsyth County Family Haven is an advocate for victims and families of domestic violence providing shelter, programs and community education to end the cycle of violence. Forsyth County Family Haven was incorporated in 1989 for the purpose of providing safe temporary shelter, individual crisis support and referral services for victims of violence. It is a nonprofit organization serving Forsyth, North Fulton and surrounding counties. Our services are free of charge to all victims of domestic violence regardless of age, sex, race, and creed, marital and socioeconomic status. Shelter Family Haven has a 21-bed confidential shelter living facility that offers a safe place for women and children who have suffered domestic violence. Client centered case management services are provided. 24-Hour Crisis Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, advocates are available to provide information and make referrals for services and programs. To access the crisis line call 770-887-1121. Counseling and Support Group Free counseling and supportive services are offered to victims and their family members. There is no limit to the number of counseling sessions a client may receive. Legal Advocacy Our Legal Advocate will answer questions concerning victims' rights and filling a Temporary Protective Order (TPO), and will accompany clients to court proceedings as needed. Community Outreach and Education We provide consultation, in-service training, informational presentations and outreach businesses law enforcement agencies, parent groups, civic groups, educators, healthcare professionals, and religious organizations. Thrift Store Location: 598 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Cumming, GA 30040 Telephone: 770-844-0842 Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday through Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday
Cumming, GA 30040 Email: ilprojectinc@gmail.com Twitter: twitter.com/i1Project Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Thei1ProjectInc Website: i1project.org Johns Creek New Beginnings Al-Anon Family Group Johns Creek Baptist Church 6910 McGinnis Ferry Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org Junior Service League of Forsyth www.cumminglocal.com/ junior-service-leagueof-forsyth-county/ P.O.Box 1456 Cumming, GA 30028
Drive, Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 876-2011 Meals By Grace Inc. www.mealsbygrace.org 5025 Atlanta Hwy. Alpharetta, GA 30004 (404) 426-4055 Email: volunteer@mealsbygrace.org Mentor Me North Georgia Inc. www.mentorga.org info@mentormenorthga.org 101 Meadow Drive, Suite J Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 341-8028 Morrow Community Foundation www.forsythbyotbenefit.org (678) 333-5582
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful Inc. www.keepforsythcounty beautiful.org Email: kfcb@forsythco.com 875 Lanier 400 Pkwy., Suite 112 Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 205-4573
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness Forsyth Dawson Lumpkin www.namifdl.org namifdlga@gmail.com P.O. Box 2665 Cumming, GA 30028 (678) 341-9414
Kiwanis Club of Cumming www.cummingkiwanis.org 417 Pilgrim Mill Road Cumming, GA 30040 Email: info@cummingkiwanis.org
Next Generation Focus Inc. www.nextgenerationfocus.org P.O Box 402, Cumming (678) 807-9NGF (678) 807-9643
Leadership Forsyth Inc. www.leadershipforsyth.org tammi@leadershipforsyth.org (678) 699-4699
No Longer Bound Inc. www.nolongerbound.com 2725 Pine Grove Road Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 886-7873
Literacy Forsyth www.literacyforsyth.org literacyforsyth@gmail.com 5140 Chattahoochee Industrial
Northside Hospital-Forsyth www.northside.com/forsyth 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive,
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City honors veterans Flags unfurled for Memorial Day By Crystal Ledford
cledford@forsythnews.com Micah Green Forsyth County News
Soldiers release doves Friday during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial in Cumming.
Eleven more veterans have joined the ranks of those who are honored by the city of Cumming every Memorial Day weekend.
On Friday, city leaders held their annual holiday observance at the Veterans War Memorial. As part of the ceremony, the families of the 11 deceased veterans unfurled flags in their memory, joining the city’s Avenue of Flags along
Veterans Memorial Boulevard across from the Cumming Fairgrounds. Each year, during Memorial and Veterans Day events, the Avenue of Flags is displayed. Each American flag represents one or more veterans from the Forsyth County area. The display has grown to include more than 200 flags, which are See VETERANS | 5A
Teachers
edUCAtIoN
Last day excitement finish up first year Feel mix of relief, accomplishment By Jennifer Sami
jsami@forsythnews.com
Photos by Micah Green Forsyth County News
Kaitlyn Woodcock and Raine Wilson, second-graders at Chestatee Elementary, wait for the bus to pull out Friday, the last day of school before summer vacation. Chestatee Elementary teachers wave goodbye to their students Friday as they head home for summer vacation. The 2014-15 school year begins on Aug. 7.
As they approach the end of their first school year as teachers, Megan Barton and Kendall Robinson are both tired and inspired. It’s been a year of learning. It’s been a year of firsts. But both young educators said they are more confident in their career decisions now than they were on the first day back in August. As part of an occasional series, the Forsyth County News has followed Barton and Robinson throughout the school year. For the final installment, the FCN caught up with them last week as they prepared to release students Friday for summer vacation.
Megan Barton Barton is going to miss her first fourth-grade class at Midway Elementary, whom she said taught her so much during her first year as a teacher. They were a great group to learn from and one that she’s really “grown to love.” Their parents have been even more helpful and generous during her first year, according to Barton. As she heads back for a few days of post planning this week before her summer officially begins, Barton paused to reflect on the past 10 months. “It’s definitely been a learning year for me, but it went really well,” she said. “You never have another first year ... I’ve experienced See TEACHERS | 5A
Optimists award scholarships Recipients include students from each public high school By Crystal Ledford
cledford@forsythnews.com Crystal Ledford Forsyth County News
West Forsyth senior Carlos Lopez, center, receives a scholarship from Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club member Mike Miller on Thursday as teacher, Erik Moore, right, watches.
Members of the Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club awarded $10,000 in scholarships during a meeting Thursday. The club honored 10 members of the class of 2014 from all five of
Inside Volume 105, xx, Number xx 62 © 2014, 20xx, Forsyth County News Cumming, Georgia
Abby Births Classifieds Deaths Classifieds Deaths Life Forsyth Forsyth Life opinion opinion Sports Sports
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Forsyth’s public high schools. Bob Flowers, vice president of the club, said most of the funding for the scholarship program comes from the club’s Avenue of Flags program, in which club members places American flags in front of homes or businesses on certain holidays. “All the flags you see in neighborhoods that are about to pop up over this weekend, that’s our doing and that’s how we fund these scholarships,” Flowers said. For a fee of about $35 a year, the See OPTIMISTS | 5A
Jennifer Sami Forsyth County School
Midway Elementary teacher Megan Barton is nearing the end of her first year as a teacher.
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Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 844-3200 Open Arms Al-Anon Family Group St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road, Bldg. B Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org Peachtree Parkway Improvement District www.peachtreeparkway.org (678) 287-5260 Reaping Nature Educational Outreach Foundation Inc. 2460 Gants Hill Place, Cumming GA 30041 (770) 490-1083 www.reapingnature.org info@reapingnature.com Relay for Life Forsyth County www.relayforlife.org/ forsythcountyga (800) 227-2345 Rotary Club International: • Rotary Club of Forsyth County • Rotary Club of Johns Creek www.rotaryclubofjohnscreek. com • Lanier Forsyth Rotary Club www.lanierforsythrotaryclub. org • South Forsyth Rotary Club www.southforsythrotaryclub. org • North Forsyth Rotary Club SAFFT Supporting Adoption and Foster
Families Together Inc. www.safft.org 219 Castleberry Road Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9505 Saturday Morning Hope on Shiloh Road St. Brendan’s Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road, Building B Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org Sawnee Association of the Arts 2202 Canton Hwy., Suite 100 Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 936-6422 www.sawneeart.org Sawnee Cumming Optimist Club www.sawneecumming optimist.org P. O. Box 945 Cumming, GA 30028 Sawnee Woman’s Club www.sawneewomansclub.org info@sawneewomanclub.org P.O. Box 2793 Cumming, GA 30028 Save the Horses Horse Rescue www.savethehorses.org 1768 Newt Green Road Cumming, GA 30028 (770) 886-5419 Simply Grace Inc. www.simply-grace.org 133 Samaritan Drive, Suite 202,Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 965-4055
Sounds of Sawnee www.soundsofsawnee.com 27695 Highland Ridge Drive Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 653-8554 Special Olympics Forsyth County www.soforsyth.com 1120 Dahlonega Hwy Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-2461 The Place of Forsyth County Inc. www.theplaceofforsyth.org 2550 The Place Circle Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-1098 There’s Hope For The Hungry Inc. www.thereshope forthehungry.org 2100 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming, GA 30041 Tuesday Recovery Al-Anon Family Group North Lanier Baptist Church 829 Atlanta Road, Trailer #200 Cumming, GA 30040 (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org United Way of Forsyth County Inc. www.unitedwayforsyth.com P.O. Box 1350 Cumming, GA 30028 (770) 781-4110
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143 www.vfwpost9143.com 1045 Dahlonega Hwy. Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-9275 Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfwpost9143.org 1045 Dahlonega Hwy. Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 887-9275 Wendy’s Place – Non-Food Pantry Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit 724 Pilgrim Mill Road Cumming, GA 30040 ecohs@bellsouth.net (770) 887-8190 Whispering Hope Women’s Resource and Pregnancy Center www.whisperinghope.org 133 Samaritan Drive, Suite 306 Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 889-8302 You Are Not Alone Al-Anon Family Group Lanier Methodist Church 1979 Buford Hwy. Cumming, GA 30041 (888) 425-2666 www.ga-al-anon.org
/NonProfits
We Want to be your Medical Care Provider.
Family Practice • Pediatrics • OBGYN • Family Planning • Pharmacy On-site Laboratory Services On-Site Certified Application Counselors for the Health Insurance Marketplace *We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most Major Insurance Sliding Fee Scale Program available to those who qualify*
If you would like to request an appointment with any of our wonderful providers, or would like more information on our programs and services, please call (770)887-1668 or send us an email at info@ghms-inc.org. Serving Forsyth and surrounding counties since 1979, GHMS is open to anyone; regardless of income, insurance status, or language spoken. New patients are always welcome to our practice.
GHMS-Cumming Family Medical Center 260 Elm Street, Cumming, GA 30040 770.887.1668 Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-5:30pm Thursday: 8:00am-7:30pm Friday 8:00am – 12pm | Saturday: 9am-1pm Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm | Sat 9am-1:30pm (Mon-Fri closed for lunch 1pm-1:30pm)
GHMS-Canton Family Health Center 220 Oakside Lane, Canton, GA 30114 678.807.1050
GHMS-Bartow Family Health Center 775 West Avenue, Ste A, Cartersville, GA 30120 470.315.4689
Office Hours:
Office Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-5:30pm Thursday: 10:00am-7:30pm | Friday 8:00am-12pm
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-5:30pm Thursday: 10:00am-7:30pm Friday 8:00am-12pm
www.ghms-inc.org
HELPING HANDS PARTNERS LIMITED Donations are accepted and appreciated
Thrift Store | Food Pantry | Partnerships OUR MISSION: The mission of Helping Hands, a 501c-3 not
for profit organization, is to help unfortunate individuals, families and elderly living in Forsyth County through income derived from our Thrift Store. Our goal is to help as many residents with some financial help for basic necessities of food, clothing, rent and energy bills. We have formed a partnership with Ninth District Opportunity who are willing to help qualify applicants to assure funds are properly distributed to those in real crisis.
www.helpinghandspartners.com Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm | Sat 10am-5pm | Sun 11am-5pm
523 Veterans Memorial Blvd. | Cumming, Ga 30041 678-341-8075 or 404-545-5721
Wed. 10am-5pm Thurs. 10am - 7pm Fri. 10am - 5pm Sat. 10am-5pm or by appointment
For thousands of homeless pets, the road ahead is long and lonely. But when that path leads to Furkids, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found the way home. Last year, Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest no-kill shelter rescued over 3,000 animals, placing these cats and dogs with loving adopters. Join Furkids to become part of the solution, and go the extra mile to help homeless pets right here where we live.
We’re honored to serve you It’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. Look a little closer and you’ll discover that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in Georgia. While people choose Northside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care. Visit us online at www.northside.com