9th Annual Golf Event is a HUGE Success!!

9th Annual Golf Event is a HUGE Success!!

On a gorgeous September day, 116 golfers checked in to play in a golf tournament held at Cuscowilla to benefit ATLAS Ministry, a non-profit organization based in Greensboro. The fundraising team of 17 individuals and the 30 volunteers executed, by all accounts, a nearly flawless tournament.  Opening ceremonies included a welcome from Doug Hesse and Rob Mitchell, prayer from Michael Wells, music from Jeffrey Wells and a testimony from ATLAS family member, Natasha Woods.

Prizes that day were given to numerous golfers. The winning foursome was Gary Guyer, Toby Dalton, Tony Eubanks and Chris Eddy. The team in 5th place included Tim Troyer, Jeff Troyer, Warren Prehmus and Drew Prehmus.  The 10th place team consisted of Tom Porter, Kent Shumacher, Dick Unger and Dan Murphy.

First place team Tony Eubanks, Gary Guyer, Chris Eddy and Toby Dalton

Additional prizes were given for the longest drives. Winners included Rob Bowser, Robby Poole and Renee Chapman.

The fundraiser was truly a community event. There were 18 tournament sponsors, including individuals and businesses, who donated from the bronze level of $1,000 to the platinum level of $10,000 or more. Additional local businesses and friends donated over 80 items for the silent auction whose values ranged from $10 to over $2,000. These items included golf packages and a fishing expedition by one of the lake’s finest guides as well as tickets to the practice round of the Master’s. One of the most intriguing items was an offering of 50 pounds of locally grown, antibiotic- and hormone-free Angus beef by Briarpatch Farms in Eatonton and dinner for 8 at Big Daddy’s Grill.

Seventy-two hole sponsorships from businesses and ATLAS supporters graced the 18 hole golf course, and five local businesses participated in providing fun stuff at several holes including golf balls, BBQ, water, pies and cookies! To add to the fun, a basket including certificates from 15 area restaurants was raffled off and Jan Curtis of Greensboro won the items valued at $885.

  

Jan Curtis, winner of the Raffle Basket valued at $885

Community volunteers Tristan Epps, Ellen Wisdom and Jennifer Rainey help check in golfers at the start of the tournament. 

Executive Director Rob Mitchell was elated that the community support for the ministry will help to insure that ATLAS continues its mission to ignite hope, build families and transform lives. For instance, ATLAS currently works with over 50 local families by giving a “hand-up” rather than a “hand-out” to those who are committed to change in order to reach vital life goals. ATLAS is also making a mark in all of the middle and high schools in Greene County by teaching values and principles for success through its’ HOPE division (Healthy Options for Personal Empowerment).

Mitchell also states that volunteers play a key role in supporting their work. There are over fifteen different wide-ranging areas in which to serve. If you have an hour a week, or more, and want to have an impact on the lives of others, contact Kristin Grebel at (706) 453-0581 for more information.

The Victory Train is Rolling in Greene County!

The Victory Train is Rolling in Greene County!

Climb on Board the Victory!

We are happy to announce the Victory Train initiative is underway in Greene County.  The Victory Train launched to Greene County families at the Back to School Bash on July 30, 2016. 

The Victory Train initiative is an ongoing collaboration among service organizations, businesses, schools, churches and governmental entities, working together to collectively address the needs of children and families in Greene County.  We have launched Phase I of the Victory Train, which is the Early Childhood initiative, covering children from pre-birth to five years of age.  In taking a dual generational approach, the Victory Train partners will work with parent and child to insure that both are ready when the child starts school.  The Victory Train facilitates monthly meetings with twenty-two partner organizations and schools that focus on serving children in these early childhood years.

Each month, The Victory Train meets with partner organizations and schools to:

·         Share information about each organization and how to best learn from and support each other

·         Coordinate services to fill gaps and avoid unnecessary duplication

·         Come alongside parents to help them realize they are the primary educator in their child’s life

·         Work together to create pathways of opportunities so parents and children are ready for school

The Victory Train is facilitated by ATLAS Ministry and is working to create pathways of success for parents and children in Greene County, creating a supportive peer group of influence, where families can learn from and support each other onto successful pathways in life, all the way through to adulthood.

The entire Greene County community is invited to participate in the Victory Train initiative.  There’s a place for everyone on the Victory Train!

 

Meet Our Partners!

ATLAS Ministry, Inc.

Circle of Love Domestic Violence Shelter

Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)

Family Connections, Greene County

Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy

First Call Pregnancy Center

Greene County Early Head Start

Greene County Head Start

Greene County Health Department

Greene County Library

Greene County Friends of the Library

Greene County Pre-K

Greensboro Elementary School

Greensboro Housing Authority

Lake Oconee Academy

Nathanael Greene Academy

Parents as Teachers

TenderCare - Preschool & Daycare

TenderCare - Women's Health Care - Prenatal

Tri-County Plus Mentoring Coalition

Union Point Public Housing Authority

Union Point STEAM Academy Kindergarten

For more information on the Victory Train initiative, visit our website at www.victorytrain.org.

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Fun times at the ATLAS Carnival!

ATLAS Family Services Carnival

May 19, 2016

In the words of 8-year old Kirsten Freeman “this was the most fun ever”!  The ATLAS Carnival was so much fun for all the kids present. The carnival was interactive and provided children several learning opportunities such as making choices, respect for others, and teamwork.  There were games, refreshments, face painting, picture taking and so much more. It was a wonderful way for our team to send off the kids for the beginning of summer vacation. The kids have worked hard all year at A Place for Girls and Man-Up as they learn more about being their brothers/sisters keeper. It was now time to have a little fun!

The fun extended beyond A Place for Girls and Man-Up.  It was a wonderful opportunity for PAT families, A Place for Girls and Man-Up parents to meet, spend time with and enjoy each other’s company.   Parents worked as group leaders, meeting and interacting with other kids and parents.

It has been said that Family Services “feels like a big extended family”. This carnival was definitely a “family affair”. Not only was it a great time of fun for parents, children and staff, our volunteers got to know more  kids and joined in on the fun!  Staff, volunteers and parents all worked together (behind the scenes and at the carnival) and exemplified teamwork. As our co-worker Marvin Smith often quotes, “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork”.

 

 

ATLAS MINISTRY ANNOUNCES THE 2016 HOPE and CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

ATLAS MINISTRY ANNOUNCES THE 2016

HOPE and CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

 

HOPE/CLC Director with Senior Lindsey Ellis from Nathanael Greene Academy

ATLAS Ministry is pleased to announce the recipients of scholarships for HOPE and the Christian Learning Center. The awards were announced at the Honors Night programs at Greene County High school on Thursday, May 12, and at Nathanael Greene Academy on Monday, May 16. The winners were selected from among a strong group of candidates at both schools. Each $1000 scholarship goes to a student who has successfully completed either a HOPE or a Christian Learning Center class during high school.

The HOPE Scholarship – Miss Tionna Thornton, Greene County High School

Tionna plans to major in nursing with a concentration in Women’s Studies to pursue her career as a Neonatal/OBGYN Nurse Practitioner. She has been accepted at GA Southern University, Augusta University, and GA State University; however, her dream is to go to Spelman College. Tionna is a strong leader, having held leadership positions in several student organizations as well as serving as vice-president of her senior class. She also excels academically, ranking among the top five in her graduating class.

Tionna remembers her HOPE class, describing it as “uplifting.” She says that she likes helping people get things done to be successful. On her own, she mentored a group of girls at Greensboro Elementary and enjoyed seeing them transition to middle school. She says that hard work is teaching her responsibility and that she has learned to prioritize her time.

The Christian Learning Center (CLC) Scholarship – Miss Lindsey Ellis, Nathanael Greene Academy

Lindsey hopes to attend college to major in Early Childhood Education. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership in her diverse array of activities from student clubs and church to athletics and acting. She played the lead role in One-Act Play and twice won state champion; she also received the all-state outstanding performer award and was the literary duo-interpretation state champion. She was a class officer from 9^th grade through 12^th, serving as president in her senior year. She excels academically, ranking among the top five in her class.

In her essay about the CLC class, Lindsey discussed the difficulties of being a Christian teenager in today’s world and said that this class had strengthened her ability to have faith in all situations and that teenagers do not have to conform to the patterns of the world but “can set a new standard full of positivity and good influences.”

ATLAS MINISTRY ANNOUNCES THE 2016 LAWTON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

ATLAS MINISTRY ANNOUNCES THE 2016

LAWTON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

ATLAS Ministry is pleased to announce the recipients of the first Lawton Family Scholarships, Miss Tionna Thornton and Mr. Darrell Evans, both upcoming graduates of Greene County High School. The awards were announced at the Honors Night program on Thursday, May 12. The winners were selected from among a strong group of candidates after an initial application review, then interviews with the selection committee as well as the Lawton Family.

Ms. Thornton plans to major in nursing with a concentration in Women’s Studies to pursue her career as a Neonatal/OBGYN Nurse Practitioner. She has been accepted at GA Southern University, Augusta University, and GA State University; however, her dream is to go to Spelman College. Tionna is a strong leader, serving as vice-president of her senior class, president of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and Vice-President of the local chapter of Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA). She also excels academically, ranking among the top five in her graduating class. Tionna says that she likes helping people get things done to be successful. On her own, she mentored a group of girls at Greensboro Elementary and enjoyed seeing them transition to middle school. She says that hard work is teaching her responsibility and that she has learned to prioritize her time, which sometimes means saying “no” to friends when they want to hang out.

Mr. Evans has been accepted to GA College and State University in Milledgeville and plans to major in Business Management. His goal is to own and operate his own business, ultimately in Greene County. Darrell exhibits leadership qualities in a variety of areas in which he has been active – in ROTC as Flight Sergeant, Flight Commander, Squadron Commander, and Group Commander; in student organizations like DECA, in which he served as President; and in his church, where he serves as an Associate Youth Pastor. Darrell has maintained a strong academic record, placing on the AB Honor Roll since 9^th grade. He ranks among the top ten in his graduating class. Darrell says that he is the first person in his family to attend college, and he is excited about the journey and about the mentorship that the Lawton Family will provide.

The Lawton Family Scholarship Fund is a significant endowment generously provided by Greg and Anna Lawton. The Fund is a minimum ten-year commitment that will award qualified students in Greene County the opportunity to pursue their college or vocational dreams. Students will be able to fulfill their educational requirements for up to four years if they continue to meet the obligations of the scholarship. The Lawtons have established the direction and purpose of their Scholarship Fund, which is to inspire hope, build futures, and transform the lives of teens in Greene County.

The Lawton Family Scholarship Fund is a way in which Greg and Anna Lawton feel they can provide special support to the community they have come to call home. They know the benefits of education and have had them instilled in their own family for generations. “A quality education is one of our family’s core values,” the Lawtons assert, “and we feel blessed to connect with students in Greene County where this Scholarship Fund can inspire them to ASPIRE to pursue their educational goals without undue financial burden. Our dream is to have many LAWTON SCHOLARS thrive with their educational dreams and pursue careers that positively impact their lives and the future communities where they choose to reside. Our family intends to be involved as Mentors to these individuals during their educational journey and future work related roles.”

The Lawton Family Scholarship Fund is administered through ATLAS Ministry, which has been an active part of Greene County since 2006. ATLAS is a Christ-centered community resource that works with families who are committed to setting their lives on a healthy and productive path.

2016: A GREAT start to Parents as Teachers program!

Parents as Teachers is capturing the hearts of young moms throughout the Greene County community. ATLAS is proud to have two parent educators leading this initiative, Mrs. Alicia Evans and Mrs. Tameika Miller.  The kick-off for this program began in September of 2015 and is well on its way to becoming the “talk of the town” for many supporters.

This “Members Only” Club is for moms with children, zero-5 years of age. Moms are admitted with a seal of love, joy, protection and commitment.

 

Parent Educators have begun to establish relationships with twenty-five (25+) families and just recently added two more moms with strong commitments.  They have been very busy making presentations and telling the PAT story to the Nelson Circle, First United Methodist Church and New Springfield Baptist Church.

Parents are welcoming the Parent Educators into their home once or twice monthly for instruction to pass on to their child/children.  They go an extra mile by engaging in educational and enrichment activities once a month in whole group sessions.  Activities for January, February and March included the following:  creating healthy meals, participating in story time, making valentine crafts, touring the library and discovering what the library has to offer families. It has been gratifying to watch these families embrace the program’s goal of having their child outstandingly ready for his or her Pre-K experience.

Parent Education Alicia Evans, Board Member Joan Antone and Parent Educator Tameika Miller

PAT’s Advisory Board Members are Karen Mitchell, Joan Antone, Linda McGhee, Cindy Helms and Sherry Shutze.

A Valentine's Celebration for our Moms

What a beautiful set of events our youth ministry put on the evening of Friday, February 19th for our moms! First, the moms joined their boys at Man Up for appetizers then headed over to A Place for Girls for a beautiful dinner complete with hand painted gifts and flowers! This was the perfect Valentine's celebration for all!