Congratulations to Cherokee Youth Works participant Nathan Leepar, the first CYW participant to earn his GED.
Hannah Herndon also received her GED in March.
Andrew Erath who not only earned the Georgia Work Ready Certificate but earned the Platinum level, the highest level possible.
Daniel Lamperski received his Georgia Work Ready Certificate this month.
Congratulations!
Click HERE for more information on the Georgia Work Ready Program.
Anti-Drug Summit
Thursday April 30, 2009
9:00am - Noon
at Cherokee Recreation and Parks
Main Street Woodstock
Congratulations Scarlett Ginzman, the FOCUS volunteer of the month. Cherokee Youth Works has been very privileged to have Scarlett volunteering her time as a tutor in our Youth GED program. She faithfully shows up every Tuesday morning , often bringing cookies or other snack for our youth. She is very knowledgeable and patient and gives 150 %.
In This Issue:
(click on topic to go directly to that story)
Drug Free Cherokee Anti-Drug Summit
Drug Free Cherokee to Host Summit
By Erika Neldner
(published April 22, 2009 The Cherokee Ledger-News)
The third annual Anti-Drug Summit, hosted by Drug Free Cherokee, will focus on drugs in the workplace.
"The reason we are pushing for the workplace is because, a lot of times, drugs are being used or sold in the workplace, and employers are not aware of this," said Alison Higgins, chair-woman of the Drug Free Cherokee board. "They don't know the signs and the things to be looking for."
The event is scheduled for April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon and will be held at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks headquarters on Main Street in Woodstock. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. Breakfast will be provided.
The deadline to sign up for the summit is April 27. Anyone can attend.
The Anti-Drug Summit started three years ago in an effort to educate people on the dangers of drugs and how they can affect all aspects of life.
The summit features break-out sessions. This year's sessions will focus on prescription drugs, labor attorneys, adapting to the young workforce, an update on Cherokee County by the Cherokee Multi Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) and a panel discussion.
Higgins said the difference in age can sometimes create a disconnect between an employer and an employee, which is why Drug Free Cherokee also wants to focus on the young workforce.
"With the younger generation, you sometimes have an age gap with the employer and the younger age group that's coming through that we just really want to raise awareness of signs to be looking for," Higgins said.
Drug Free Cherokee is bring in a labor attorney so employers and employees can know their rights.
"They can allow employers to ask questions about what rights they have in their business to expand the law, and what they can do as far as drug testing," Higgins said. "It's also for the employees, so they know the laws, as well."
The CMANS update on Cherokee County is a general information session about what's going on in the county. They'll talk about the most popular drugs and give statistics on arrests made and for what drugs.
The panel discussion will feature everyone heading up the breakout sessions and will include a question and answer session. Higgins said Drug Free Cherokee is trying to get someone from the solicitor's office and the K9 unit to come to the panel discussion.
To register, go to drugfreecherokee.com or call Higgins at (770) 720-5474. Registration must be complete by April 27, and the $10 fee will be paid at the door the day of the event.
Drug Free Cherokee is an initiative of Cherokee FOCUS, comprised of members of the Cherokee County business community, law enforcement and government agencies, as well as concerned citizens.
The mission is to develop a drug free Cherokee through a collaboration of resources for individuals and families affected by substance abuse through awareness, education, prevention, intervention and recovery.
For more information or to register, go to:
Working with young people has always been a passion for Stacy Cooper. Stacy is a 2006 graduate of Berry College where she earned her degree in Psychology and Family Studies, with honors.
And, Stacy is no stranger to Family Connection. Last year Walton County's Partnership for Families, Children, and Youth, (the Walton County equivalent of Cherokee FOCUS) had the pleasure of having Stacy on their staff as a Health Educator for one of their major initiatives.
Prior to working with Walton County, Stacy spent two years working with youth in South Africa. Through the Journeymen Program of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Stacy was able to share her faith and knowledge with the children and families of South Africa. She was able to teach life skills classes, health education, bible study and participated in administering HIV testing.
Before leaving for Africa, Stacy met and began dating Brad Cooper. Stacy and Brad kept in touch and were married this past March. Lucky for us, Brad lives in Canton where he and Stacy are starting their new life together. Cherokee County is very fortunate to have a wonderful new resident and Cherokee FOCUS, Cherokee Youth Works and the participants in the Summer Jobs for Youth are very fortunate indeed.
Welcome Stacy!
Cherokee Youth Works is still hiring for the Summer Jobs for Youth program. To be eligible, youth must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the U.S., be between the ages of 14 and 24 and meet one of the following criteria:
Be low income.
Receive Food Stamps or TANF
Be disabled or receiving Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Be currently in Foster Care or formerly in foster care between the ages of 14 and 18.
Jobs are available throughout Cherokee County and include positions in retail, landscaping, parks and recreation, camp counselors, clerical, computers, and general office. Jobs start in June and can run through September 30, 2009. Call now for more details!
Dr. Matthew Phelps
Joan McFather
For more information on anything you've read in this issue of IN FOCUS,
email cherokeefocus@alltel.net or call 770-345-5483.
P.O. Box 1191, Holly Springs, GA 30142 ~ 100 Hickory Circle, Holly Springs, GA 30115
The Cherokee County Pre-K Coalition held special event story times in conjunction with the Sequoyah Regional Library System. The events provided area families with information on available Pre-K programs in the county. The Cherokee County Health Department was also on hand. The Pre-K events were held at the Woodstock Public Library on April 18th and the RT Jones Memorial Library on March 25th.
Now Hiring Eligible Youth!
Contact
Stacy Cooper
770-345-5483 Ext. 3
April 2009
Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction for a Cause
The second Single Heart Bachelor and Bachelorette Auction for a Cause was held on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2009. This years event was held at Elevations Chop House and Sky Bar at McCollum Airport in Kennesaw. A very well attend event, Bachelors, Bachelorettes and their date packages were auctioned by the nights Master of Ceremonies, Judge David Cannon Jr.
The evening was a lot of fun for everyone and the food was fabulous. Live music provided by The George Price Trio had everyone dancing. Next year's event has already been scheduled for March 17, 2010 and will be held again at Elevations Chop House and Sky Bar.
Visit www.cherokeefocus.org to see event pictures.
Thank you to our Event Sponsors:
(click on the name to visit their website)
Working Together to Combine Skills, Expertise and Resources for the Families and Children of Cherokee County.