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On the Cover: Make a Great Choice with Choice Educational Academy
By Kristen Eleveld
When it comes to our children, we always want the best. And for those children whose needs fall outside of a traditional educational setting, it can be frustrating to find a good fit. Fortunately, for those in the Gwinnett area, there is a resource ready and waiting to meet your children where they are and help them succeed for a lifetime.
Founded by Nancy Gordeuk, Choice Educational Academy is a fully-accredited private middle and high school designed to help students who are struggling in the traditional school system.
“We serve those students who do not fit in the box of public school,” said Nancy, who has been working in private education for over twenty years and worked in the public school system before that. “For some kids, we are their last chance to get a high school diploma.”
While every child has individual and unique needs, one area where Nancy sees most of her students struggle is with reading at an age-appropriate level. Many students were already struggling when the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to shut down, which put a lot of students in traditional classrooms even further behind. Now, Nancy and her team of teachers hope to give these students the resources they need to finish their education.
Choice Educational Academy teaches everything the public school does. They just do it in a way that allows students to work at their own pace and adapt their learning to overcome individual challenges. For instance, Nancy said that some students finish four years of work in only two and a half years.
That certainly is not the requirement, but in Nancy’s experience, giving the students the right kind of resources can really unlock their learning style and needs.
“I like to suggest topics or ideas that align with students’ natural gifts or interests,” said Nancy. “Then I can start to show them new ideas or how their interest can be combined with a different subject.”
And though Choice Educational Academy may not look like a traditional school, the students that graduate have a full understanding of the subjects they have studied and, because the academy is fully accredited, the transcripts of their grades can be used across the country and the world.
Most of Nancy’s students are middle and high school ages, but the academy is open to anyone who wants to learn at that level. Nancy has one student who recently earned a high school diploma at age 52, proving that it is never too late to learn when you have the right support behind you.
Many of these graduates are leaving Choice Educational Academy with college credits, as well. Nancy encourages dual enrollment for all of her students to give them more opportunities to learn and to help them continue their momentum once they graduate from her school.
“My heart is always with the kids,” said Nancy. “I want to increase their self-esteem so they know they can be successful. Whatever the reason they have struggled in public school, it’s not because they can’t learn. They just need the right environment.”
With this philosophy shaping every student’s educational experience at Choice Educational Academy,
it’s no wonder that so many students find success here – and that so many stay in touch with Nancy for years to come, citing her as a lifelong influence. For Nancy, catching up with her former students is a huge perk of her job, and she is always excited when she is invited to a former student’s college graduation, wedding, or baby shower.
“Teaching is what I love,” said Nancy. “My mission in life is to just keep going and help as many kids as I can earn their high school diploma.”
If you want to learn more about how your child can benefit from Choice Educational Academy, the school is just a phone call away at 470-514-5525. More information at https://www.choiceeducationalacademy.com/
Town
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Publisher/Owner
Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com
Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com
Editor
Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com Cover
IN THIS ISSUE
5 On the Cover: Make a Great Choice with Choice
Academy
From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanTSauers @RyanTSauers
Hello, everyone. Happy September. The fall season is almost here, and I always look forward to the fall weather with its cooler temperatures. I love all sports. Football is back, and baseball will be fun to watch down the stretch.
Our community continues to grow. Why? We are blessed with amazing people who choose to live, work, and play right here in Our Town. We should be proud of our community. Most communities are not as close as the ones we have. With that said, our attention span is short (or some might argue non-existent), so here are three points I want us to think about.
1. People love to smile and laugh. How many times have you heard a funny story that made your day? How often have you seen something so silly that it makes you laugh? You know – when you keep laughing and can’t stop? How much fun do we have with long-term or deep friends with whom we can truly be ourselves? A lot of fun. And what do we do? We laugh. So, make someone’s day and make them smile and laugh.
2. People love to have fun. Why do you see so many people playing fantasy football, going to theme parties, and/or playing mindless games on their mobile devices? Many use these things as breaks from their everyday routine and to relieve stress from our constantly connected and noisy world. They are fun, simple, and mindless. Have you ever seen adults dress up in full gear for football games or a Halloween outfit? People really get into it. Why? We all love to have fun. This “feeling like a kid again” is the magic that most experience when they visit Disneyworld. And, it is what Disney is selling. We are supposed to act like kids and smile there, so we do. And in case you missed the memo, it is okay to have fun each day of your life. It is contagious.
Continued on page 12
IN MOTION
5K RUN AND WALK
Kid’s Art Club at Oak Road Lutheran Church Brings Joy to Little Artists
By Tana Poncsak
As mothers, most of us worry about our children. Some may say it comes with the title. But in March of 2020 at the beginning of COVID-19 and sheltering in place orders, Jessica Wrasman was particularly worried about her children.
Jessica and her family had just moved to Georgia from Missouri, as her husband, Andy, was called to lead Oak Road Lutheran Church in Lilburn as pastor. Being new to Georgia, Jessica didn’t know anyone. And with a three-year-old son and five-year-old daughter at the time, Jessica worried about their health and well-being. The first thing that came to her mind was art.
“I thought the best thing we could do is key in on our interests, and maybe there are some other families that might want to come and make art,” Jessica says. “It all started really simple.”
Initially, two or three families met in a room at the church to make art. Mask mandates were still in place, so things were kept casual to ensure everyone was comfortable. Eventually they had more families join, and what started out as a group getting together to make art became Kid’s Art Club through Oak Road Lutheran Church.
Four years later, the older students are staying to help with the younger students in the club.
“It’s been so fascinating to me to see that the students have wanted to stay in the program,” Jessica says. “It’s become its own little artistic ecosystem.”
The club now has twenty-five budding artists in attendance, with ten helpers and five teachers.
The Kid’s Art Club is offered to all children ages three to sixteen and meets from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every other Wednesday at Oak Road Lutheran Church. Meetings start in August and run through May. The club is built on Five Tenants. They include know Jesus, practice patience, use your imagination, be courageous, and see the big picture.
The kids have the opportunity to experience and create art through different mediums, they have special guest speakers, and they learn about art appreciation throughout the meetings, hearing and studying about different artists and their unique styles. Art galas are held, where people from the community can visit to see the artists’ work on display.
But the art club runs on a shoestring budget. Jessica said they always seem to have just enough, but to grow the program, they need funding.
“We’ve had so many donations that have come in that were able to sustain the program, but every year it’s a question mark on how we’re going to get funding to continue to buy supplies,” she says. “We’re at a point where I think more people are interested in the program. We need to make some choices as far as how big we want to the program to be. I can see it getting really big, but it’s time for that prayerful next step and wanting to be vigilant and intentional about it.”
Jessica, who has a background in education, says the Kid’s Art Club is meeting needs.
“It’s meeting a need in me, and it’s meeting a need in the community,” she
Continued on page 11
Celebrating Ten Years with Cutting Edge Painting
By Kristen Eleveld
Those in the Gwinnett area are more than familiar with the excellent service that Cutting Edge Painting brings to every job it takes on. For over a decade, the team at Cutting Edge Painting has maintained its commitment to excellence in everything it does –and that applies to more than just painting. These ten years have been filled with incredible customer service, high-quality work, and a focus on giving each client what they need.
“As a quality and customer focused company, we truly look at each job we do as more than a job,” said Nathan McMichael, who has owned the company since 2016. “We see it as our success and as our relationship with each client. We’re not just there to do the job and get the check. We keep in touch with customers and follow up with customers for years afterward. The little stuff matters.”
One way that Cutting Edge Painting ensures their dedication to a job well done is always top of mind is through their REACH initiative, which stands for the five tenets of their business values: Respect, Excellence, Availability, Character, and Humility. Nathan and his team seek to implement these tenets which each customer experience, and it seems to be working, based on the positive feedback they often receive from their clients.
“The referrals and repeat customers are the biggest crowd that makes up our customer base,” said Nathan. “Great service always multiplies.”
The REACH initiative is also the company’s way of giving back to their community. Each year they seek out needs within their neighborhood that they can help meet. They also partner with NG3, Taste of Grayson, Lifewell Ministries, and other local fundraisers to raise awareness and funds for pressing needs in their own community.
And while the word “painting” might be in the company name, Cutting Edge Painting can do so much more. Are you trying to replace your gutters or hoping to finally get your deck stained? Maybe you really need to get your fence repaired after the last storm knocked a tree branch into it. Cutting Edge Painting can do it all – and their commitment to the highest level of service extends to any type of job they are hired for. They have worked on everything from finished carpentry to concrete flooring and brick masonry applications, as they have spent many years finding and developing expertise in multiple areas.
Along with that expertise comes the experts themselves. Cutting Edge Painting now has a devoted Project Manager, Milton Pineda, who has been with the team for over two years.
“Milton has been huge in helping run the operational side of things,” said
Nathan of his growing business. “He is always our go-to guy to assist all of the teams and to help us maintain standards and manage each customer experience.”
Lindsey Zellner, who heads up all of the marketing for Cutting Edge Painting, is another valuable asset to the team as she works to ensure that each client is engaged and has access to unique ideas that are specifically suited to their needs.
As Nathan would say, it takes everyone to make this company the success that it is, including the talented teams out in the field. For Nathan, a lot of his goals have been motivated by the desire to show his clients that there are companies and people who care and want to do right by their customers.
“It’s worth stating that there are still good people that are striving for healthy community, respectful engagement; people that do care and who aren’t there just for personal gain,” said Nathan. “That belief comes from my faith and my belief that a lot of people have sacrificed for many years to give us what we have today. Nothing is perfect, but there is an ongoing pursuit of happiness that a lot of people are working hard for.”
Nathan’s faith has also encouraged him to consistently put his best foot forward, and he asks his team members to do the same. As the multiple five-star Google reviews will attest to, his strategy is working – Cutting Edge Painting
Continued on page 11
Getting to Know Royal Flush Plumbing
By Kristen Eleveld
What do the numbers 42, 137,877, and 57,545 have in common? No, those aren’t the numbers you remember from Lost. Those numbers represent the excellence that Royal Flush Plumbing brings to the Gwinnett area and beyond: 42 years of experience, 137,877 general plumbing fixes (as of the date of this article), and 57,545 drains unclogged (as of the date of this article). In other words, these are not ordinary plumbers. These are the experts you want to get to know.
So what makes this plumbing company stand out among its peers? They start with the most important part of any job – giving their employees the education and skills they need to succeed.
“Nearly all Royal Flush plumbers are fully trained, in-house, through the Royal Academy,” said Ryan Perry, CEO and co-founder of Royal Flush Plumbing. “Royal Flush’s recruiting department seeks out super high-quality human beings with above-average mechanical aptitudes, who also possess specific traits like positive attitudes, caring hearts, outstanding work ethics, and impeccable morals.”
Once an interested applicant is found to meet these high standards, Royal Flush begins what they consider one of the most vital aspects of their work: training their employees as apprentices in their trade.
The Royal Academy is unique even among training programs of its kind. While it’s conducted on a large scale, the program focuses on each detail of training to ensure no information or training is left out. Leading the charge at the Royal Academy is the Academy Leadership Team, or ALT, which is tasked with ensuring that each plumbing apprentice is given every tool necessary – both literally and figuratively – to be successful and knowledgeable in their trade.
“The ALT works directly with the apprentices to ensure no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of perfection in their training as it pertains to both their physical skillset and their inexhaustible repertoire of customer service skills,” said Ryan. “At the end of their training, Royal Flush apprentices have an endless array of abilities that are able to be used to provide the customer with an inimitable, enjoyable, and deeply satisfying experience.”
As the need for high-quality service like the kind offered by Royal Flush Plumbing grows, so does the company’s desire to find more applicants who are interested in joining the Royal Academy. PottyTrained.com, a website created by Royal Flush Plumbing, offers interested applicants more information about what they can expect while being trained as an apprentice, from the salary they will make to the skills they will graduate with.
“The Academy helps folks find high-paying jobs while also being trained for pay, instead of racking up student debt to get a degree that often leaves them fighting for a job that pays less than half that of the service industry,” said Ryan.
When a company takes the time to not only seek out the best of the best team members but then trains them to such a high degree of professionalism, it’s no wonder that Royal Flush Plumbing has become a household name for the Gwinnett community and everyone it serves.
Even if you’re not familiar with this particular company, Ryan and his team are committed to giving each of their clients “The Royal Treatment,” which is the company’s promise to treat each client like royalty from the first interaction to the last. They offer same-day serve upon request, and all customers are given a thorough explanation of the cost (by a well-trained Royal Plumbing Knight, of course) before the work begins so there are no surprises once the work is completed.
And the work doesn’t stop when the job is completed.
“Our technicians will always leave the space cleaner than they found it, and customers will be provided with a free report of the state of the plumbing in their home,” said Ryan. “This helps customers identify possible future issues before they happen.”
These are just a few of the “prodigious perks,” as Ryan refers to them, that
Continued on page 14
The 2024 Fall Season Middle School Golf League
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Registration for the Middle School Golf League (MSGL) is underway for the 2024 fall season. For parents to register their students or get details about the program and see the Frequently Asked Questions about the league, they may go to www.middleschoolgolfleague.com.
“As a high school golf coach and having been the Director of the MSGL for the last eight years,” says Les Witmer, “it is so gratifying to be at a high school match or tournament and have a former MSGL player come up and thank me for having an outlet for them to have learned and play junior golf.”
When the Middle School Golf League began, it was a time when course play was readily available on Sunday afternoons. The popularity of golf since Covid has increased golf course play on weekends. According to Witmer, they have
Continued on page 14
Kid’s Art
Club Continued from page 8
says. “I’ve been able to grow in leadership skills, management skills, and [skills] working with kids …it’s energized me creatively to do more work and to advocate for the students and the program.”
And it allows young artists the freedom to create, which brings joy and healing.
More information at Jessica.Wrasman@gmail.com or contact Oak Road Lutheran Church.
Cutting
Edge Painting Continued from page 9
leaves its customers satisfied with a job well done.
If you need help with your commercial or private property, you know where to go. Just fill out the form on the website or give Nathan and his team a call, and they will take care of the rest.
More information at www.cepaintcompany.com or (678) 571-5975
Ryan’s Remarks
3. People love technology yet miss the personal touch. How many of us want someone to handle our requests promptly, get things right the first time, and save us time/stress when dealing with a problem we’ve had with a good, service, etc.? I know I do. But instead, we hear, “For faster service, visit us online.” Note: This is CODE for “Don’t call us. We are busy; if you go online, we don’t have to talk to you or staff as many people.” Thus, be sure technology works for us and that we do not work for it. The personal touch in relationships built on trust matters now more than ever. Small businesses usually get this right, so please support one in our community today.
If we want to communicate more effectively, we must consider our audience. Do we encourage others? Do we make other people smile, laugh, and have fun? After all, adults are just big kids at heart. Being “normal” (whatever that means) is pretty dull. People want to see real, genuine, and authentic behavior. So, be YOU and enjoy living in your own skin, and quit worrying about what other people are doing. You know the whole FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) type thinking. People will talk about you no matter what you do. So, my advice is to give them something good to talk about. Time is ticking and today is “a present,” “the present,” and “our present.” So, make the best out of each hour you have and encourage and inspire each other.
I wish everyone a super September and encourage you to make someone’s day. WOW them. Why? Because it feels great and it is an amazing thing to do. Be upbeat, be encouraging, smile, laugh – and if all else fails, “fake it until you feel it.” And until next time, and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!
Reset…A Word for Your Day
By Jane Bishop
When did you last press “reset?” What prompted the need to reset or to start again? When you pressed reset, what did you experience? We often attribute reset to phones and other devices. An error occurs and we are directed to reset. Service is interrupted due to a power outage. When the power is restored, we press reset on clocks, computers, etc. However, we may not readily associate reset with life. In the fast pace of life, the concept of a reset is immensely valuable. It provides the opportunity for a fresh start so we can realign our lives with our core values. Pressing the reset button can be transformative. It allows us to pause and reflect on our current state. We can assess what is and is not working in our lives and adjust.
A reset can also rejuvenate our mental and emotional well-being. There are situations and/or seasons in life that may benefit from a reset. As I draft this article, I find myself pressing reset as I am now unexpectedly in a post caregiver season after the passing of my mother. Routines have shifted. Requirements of how I allocate my time have changed. What does this new phase of life look like? I am not clear, so I find it helpful to reflect and assess. I also understand time is required for a meaningful reset.
Perhaps at this time of year, you find yourself in a different season. Parents have sent kids to college. Reset. Students have changed schools. Reset. A loved one is no longer present. Reset. The routine of summer has shifted. Reset.
The value of a reset in life is profound and multifaceted. The renewal allows you to step back and view your context with a fresh perspective which can lead to increased motivation and enthusiasm for your goals and responsibilities. This step back helps provide clarity as you reassess priorities.
Embracing reset also encourages personal growth and development. It nudges you out of your comfort zone and challenges you to explore new possibilities and/or opportunities. The value of a reset lies in its ability to enhance your overall well-being. By addressing areas of your life that need change and making intentional adjustments, you can create a more balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful season of life. A reset is a powerful tool for transformation. It reminds us that it is not too late to make positive changes and that every day offers a new opportunity to start fresh.
What area of your life may benefit from a reset? What steps will you take? Be bold! Be courageous! Press reset!
More information at www.janebishoplive.com.
Relationship Coaches Help Others with “Chameleon Love”
By Tana Poncsak
It wasn’t a good time for Da’Von and Jennifer Heath. In fact, Da’Von calls it the “toughest season” in their marriage. Da’Von had been laid off. They had two young sons. Jennifer wasn’t employed. And they were expecting their third child. Da’Von says that at the time, they were freaking out. With all the stress of their situation, they simply stopped talking.
It was also during this time that Da’Von woke up around four o’clock one morning with one thought on his mind. According to Da’Von, it was Divine Intervention with a message saying, “You’re going to have to love her the way she needs to be loved, and as she changes, because we all change, you’re going to need to adapt to how she needs to be loved.” And in those wee hours of that morning, the idea of “Chameleon Love” was born. As he shared the idea with his wife, Jennifer wasn’t sure how they would live the idea out and bring it to fruition, but over time they figured it out.
Through their own hardships, Da’Von and Jennifer now have a relationship that’s stronger than ever. It was after a lot of prayer and hard work that they now help others through Chameleon Love as Certified Relationship Coaches offering coaching services in Couples/Marriage Coaching, Family Relationship Coaching, Dating Coaching, Individual Coaching, Conflict Resolution Coaching, and Communication Skills Coaching. They have received an additional certification in Life Coaching as well.
After extensive research, the Heaths say they found the International Association of Professional Relationship Coaches and went through the six-to-eight-week online program.
“It was an amazing program,” Jennifer says. Heavy on topics like conflict resolution and effective listening, the program provided the foundation the two needed to take Chameleon Love from idea to practice. They held their first official live event in February 2023 in Atlanta and had a good turnout. “It was just a really good event,” Da’Von says. “As we were leaving people were asking us, ‘what’s next?’”
Da’Von says when they have individuals or couples come to them for help, they see each situation as unique, and they don’t look for a “one size fits all” resolution. “We tailor our sessions and conversations to what’s going on specifically in their [the clients’] lives,” Da’Von says.
Continued on page 15
Both Da’Von and Jennifer recognized early on that they both came from family backgrounds where appropriate communication and other positive behaviors were not the norm and not even encouraged, and it’s the desire to break that cycle that drives Da’Von and Jennifer today. They worked individually, as a couple, as a family with their three sons, and beyond to improve their communication skills and their relationships, and now they practice what they teach.
Much of what Chameleon Love entails comes from a place of self-love. “One of the biggest things that we’re working on with some of our clients right now is we’re finding that a lot of people don’t love themselves,” Jennifer says. “In conjunction with that, they don’t take care of themselves. With Chameleon Love, one of our major things is that self-love is the best love. And if you don’t properly love yourself, it’s going to be very difficult for you to properly love someone else.”
We all know relationships can be hard, and many of us have heard that communication is key. Da’Von adds that a big part of communicating is also comprehending. He points out that often we listen to respond, not to understand. This is what causes the intent of our message to be misconstrued and is the root cause of misunderstandings. Da’Von adds that thinking about formatting a response while someone is still talking may cause us to miss key elements of what they’re saying, which can lead to an emotional response that can escalate the misunderstanding. Da’Von and Jennifer can offer techniques and strategies to help alleviate misunderstandings and lead to better and deeper relationships.
Middle School Golf League
Continued from page 11
had to modify the spring season and cut off registration and limit the number of players for spring and fall based on course availability.
“We’ve changed the spring program to individual stroke tournaments only and not the weekly league team best ball play,” added Witmer. “With that we’re looking at concentrating our efforts on regular season weekly team play in the fall.”
The fall program will consist of an instructional golf clinic, four weeks of best ball team play, one week of individual stroke play where the top scorers will then play in an invitational 9-hole tournament, and a Drive, Chip, and Putt contest and awards party at the season conclusion. Also, there is a High School Week where a high school player is invited to play with their feeder school team and talk about high school golf with them.
Middle School Golf is for players from 6th to 8th grade who register through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association. Players are assigned to teams based on what middle school they attend.
“We now have several schools that have an assigned teacher or staff member
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at the school responsible for Middle School Golf,” said Witmer. “That person helps inform students about golf and the program, and promotes registration. Some even keep up with the players and how they are doing and come out to the matches!”
More information at www.middleschoolgolfleague.com.
Royal Flush Plumbing
Continued from page 10
come with using Royal Plumbing’s top-notch services. Any client who has benefited from receiving The Royal Treatment will attest to this company’s commitment to excellence and their passion for not only hiring talented team members, but training new apprentices to carry on their trade and teach it to generations behind them.
If you are ready to find out how it feels to be royal, just give Ryan and his team a call at 770-GO-ROYAL.
More information at plumbatlanta.com or pottytrained.com
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Paying for College? Six Tips to Make It Affordable
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Is your child looking forward to starting college in the fall? The months leading up to this first year can be incredibly joyful and yet stressful, given the cost of an undergraduate degree. Now that your child has chosen a school, it’s time to assemble your financial plan.
A recent study by College Ave found that 83% of current undergraduate students felt a college degree was crucial for their future. At the same time, 7 in 10 students agreed that paying for college is stressful. Over half were surprised just how much their college education would cost.
Affording college can be stressful, but there are several ways you can help your children afford their degrees and set them up for success later in life. To get started, check out these six tips for paying for college.
1. Submit the FAFSA
If your family hasn’t filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now is the time to do so. Every year your student attends college, your family should submit the FAFSA form. Not only is the information on the form used to provide federal loans and grants, but many schools also use the information to offer students scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Some aid is limited, so it’s important to remind your student to complete the form as early as possible.
2. Continue the search for grants and scholarships
The College Ave survey found that the No. 1 way families pay for college is through merit aid grants and scholarships. You may be familiar with the Pell Grant, which provides federal funds to students based on financial needs. However, your state or school may have other grants. Search your state’s Department of Education website and your child’s college’s website to see if they qualify for existing grants.
Scholarships are another popular way to pay for college tuition. While many scholarships are based on grades, your student may not need a 4.0 to receive one. Some scholarships are based on locations, majors, family backgrounds, and other criteria. Your employer may even offer scholarships!
To find scholarships, speak with your student’s high school guidance counselor and search scholarship websites. One easy scholarship to apply for is the $1,000 scholarship monthly sweepstakes at CollegeAve.com/scholarship.
3. Federal student loans
Around 40% of survey respondents said they planned to fund a college educa-
tion using federal loans. Your student’s financial aid package will list any federal loans your student can take out. Federal student loans have low fixed rates and offer unique benefits, such as income-driven repayment plans.
4. Private student loans
Federal student loans may not be enough to cover tuition. Consider a private student loan to help bridge the gap between financial aid and any remaining educational expenses. Many undergraduates might not qualify independently and will likely need a co-signer like a parent to get approved. Look for loans with competitive rates and repayment options that work for your family. Use a student loan calculator like the one at CollegeAve.com to estimate your future monthly loan payments.
5. Part-time employment
Whether through an off-campus job or an on-campus work-study, your student can chip away at college expenses. Your child may even consider working during the summer to help afford college. Not only do jobs, whether on or off-campus, provide funds for tuition, but students can also seek jobs in future career fields and gain valuable experiences and connections before graduation.
6. Assess what you can contribute
Some parents have the means and desire to help pay for their child’s college education. According to College Ave’s survey, 41% of current students are paying for tuition with their parents’ income or savings. In addition, more than half say their parents help pay for their housing, health insurance, and phone bills while in college.
Review your finances and see what you can afford. Discuss and be clear about what you can contribute and who is responsible if you borrow. Every little bit counts in helping achieve your undergraduate’s goals. Using these six tips, your family will be well on its way to affording your child’s college education and creating a solid career foundation. (BPT)
“Chameleon Love”
Continued from page 13
In addition to coaching, the Heaths have a YouTube channel, are active in Gwinnett County schools speaking with the students about self-love and confidence, and they hold leadership meetings for staff members of after school camps and other programs. Currently, they are taking speaking engagement requests for local schools, businesses, and local universities and colleges.
Da’Von and Jennifer recently added Simply Passive, an offering to help others learn how to use their skills, gifts, and talents to create something that can be monetized for income. This helps keep people’s focus on the most important things, like home and family. “Home is the ultimate priority,” Da’Von says, “and we’re excited about looking for ways to help families.”
Da’Von is also a consultant and a best-selling author of the children’s book, This Brown Skin of Mine. Jennifer has a background in geriatrics and is dementia certified. She also runs an online women’s group and is a swim instructor. Da’Von and Jennifer have made their home in Gwinnett with their three sons: Tyson, Ace, and Kano.
More information at www.chameleonlove.org or Stan.store/ChameleonLove.
