Spalding County Collaborative Auth for Families and Children

Family connection a statewide initiative of 159 community Collaborative partnerships committed to making measurable improvements for Children and Families in Georgia

Backpack food program in an effort to make sure students have enough food during weekends throughout the school year, Spalding Collaborative partners are offering to send nutritious, child-friendly food home on fridays in the backpack of students at highest risk of hunger. The free program is being offered to students in kindergarten through fifth grade at selected elementary schools. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are provided for each two-day weekend during the school year. The program is aimed to help Families who are working hard to provide basic needs during difficult economic times. Eligible students are identified by school counselors and staff who invite the parent/guardian to enroll in the program for the student.

Mentoring the griffin-spalding County mentor program began in 2012 through the combined efforts and generous contributions of the griffin-spalding County chamber of commerce, the griffin housing authority, and griffin- Spalding County school system. The mentor program matches caring adults with students in the griffin-spalding County school system who would benefit from having a volunteer to help on their path to becoming successufl adults. A mentor acts as a listner, a role model and a friend. Children who are mentored have better school attendance, better attitudes toward school, a greater likelihood of completing school and less substance abuse than non-mentored students. Mentors interact with their mentee on school premises once each week for a meal, school program, game, or conversation. The program requires a one-year commitment, but mentor-mentee pairings are encouraged to extend beyond the first year. The mentor visiting schedule is flexible during school hours.

Various other programs working within the mission of the organization to imporve the well-being and health conditions of Families.