The Collective News Anniversary Edition - October 2016

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

3110 Sports Avenue, Smyrna GA 30080 770.432.4025

CELEBRATING SERVANTHOOD The Spotlight Award goes to ALL who serve our community through The Collective!

"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has--or ever will have--something inside that is

unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression." ~ Fred Rogers

Ann Stevens is an independent professional development and social welfare consultant. Her work with children and families to help move them

toward self-sufficiency and spiritual, mental and emotional wellness has given her a strong background for her work with guests at The Collective. ▶

◄ Most of Cathy Crosland's family has supported The Collective in one way or another, but Cathy is a staple of life upstairs at Cumberland. She serves with dedication and whenever possible uses her creative talents to make events and tributes unique and beautiful. Ask to see her Collective photo book!

Marty & Stacy Esterman are long-time Collective volunteers. ▶ Marty is the founder of his own company, Fluency Games. He has faithfully served during even the busiest Build Cobb Fridays and Information Sessions. Stacy has a degree in Social Work, which she has used in her volunteering with case management and data

entry. As a busy mother, she now helps at special events for The Collective and Build Cobb.

◄ Victor & Griselda Brizuela serve as Neighborhood Navigators in the community and are always willing to lend a helping hand. They are most often seen manning the BBQ grill or playing games with the children at our block parties. Victor is a construction laborer and Griselda has been with Chuck E. Cheese for 11 years!

The Collective News Anniversary Edition - October 2016

3110 Sports Avenue, Smyrna GA 30080 770.432.4025

CELEBRATING SERVANTHOOD Angel and Olga Vallejo also serve as hosts for the Neighborhood Navigation program. They invite the community to attend cooking events in their home, breaking down barriers across cultures. You haven't lived until you have tried one of Olga's famous tamales! They regularly serve and attend service with Pastor Dorcas (pictured center) at our sister church, History Makers. ▶

◄ Michelle Stivers is a Commissioned Senior Examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Michelle is the Program Coordinator for The Collective's partnership with a local group foster home, and she helps align TAG Team members' special gifts with the needs of the youth at the group home. Michelle also provides support for the Build Cobb initiative.

Stephen Butler is the CEO and President of Connect Public Relations. He volunteers for The Collective at Cumberland through Career Services and the computer lab. He assists clients with creating their resumes for the Build Cobb program and provides career advice to Collective clients and Build Cobb students. ▶

◄ Dr. Rashaad Jones is Assistant Professor of Internet Technology at Georgia Gwinnett College. Dr. Jones is participating in The Collective’s new TAG Team initiative by teaching basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, Excel, and cyber safety to the youth at a local group foster home partnering with The Collective.

Marci McCarver has a huge heart for helping others above all else. Marci volunteered as often as she could interviewing clients, and she has prayed for and with every client she has seen at The Collective. As Genesis says, she sees people the way they were created: in the image of God. ▶

◄ John Crosland Sr., very much like his daughter Cathy, lights up a room with his smile when he walks in. John's primary role at The Collective has been in Career Services and developing resumes, but he has also participated in Build Cobb recruitment and networking for The Collective.

Rosemary Menchaca served as volunteer lead for the Campus Store before this ministry was reimagined to

make way for new education and employment programs. Rosemary was one of the first volunteers to receive completed training with Dignity Serves. She currently serves the church with many different events and projects. ▶

The Collective News Anniversary Edition - October 2016

DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS Pastor Rob and The Collective are thrilled to launch our partnership in 2017 with Pastor’s Aaron Gable and Gregg Sizemore of LifeBridge Church in Kennesaw! Stay tuned for more details…

Winter is coming! In relation to the launch of Opening Our Doors, Smyrna Fire Chief and Emergency Management Agency Director Roy Acree has invited The Collective and CCC to partner in a new initiative with the City of Smyrna: faith-based organizations and their role during a disaster.

The Collective’s program director has begun a 180-hour Addiction Counselor Training and Studies (ACTS) course with the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse to gain the skills necessary to become an Addiction Counselor through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia.

EVENTS Service opportunities are available for Opening Our Doors emergency warming station. You can love people with the heart of Christ by setting up beds, preparing and serving meals, and so much more! The first Opening Our Doors training session will be held November 13 from 12:30-2:00pm on the Back Porch. NOTE: You must be 18 years or older to participate with Opening Our Doors. Register at https://cumberlandcc.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/42591

3110 Sports Avenue, Smyrna GA 30080 770.432.4025

CELEBRATING SERVANTHOOD ◄ Dr. Yaw Adoo is Assistant Professor of Management at Shorter University, and he has passionately dedicated his knowledge and time to passing on career and resume advice to students of the educational development programs at The Collective: Construction Ready and Paxen Learning Corporation.

Bill and Judi Mollohan continue to step up for The Collective whenever they are needed. As owner of Industrial Relocation Consultants, Mr. Bill donates

his technical expertise to The Collective community. Mrs. Judi supports our staff, volunteers, clients, and Build Cobb students loving us all as her own. ▶

The Collective News Anniversary Edition - October 2016

The Collective was honored to partner with the Lupton Center and Focused Community Strategies (FCS) in their most recent Christian community development training initiative! "Seeking Shalom" is a six-part video series on an interactive web platform. Seeking Shalom is a call to disrupt traditional charity paradigms, work together with God to cultivate shalom, and engage in alternative practices that build dignity and foster community. https://vimeo.com/185271853

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES The Collective was awarded $10,000 from the Cobb County Community Services Block Grant! An application was submitted on July 1, 2016 for The Collective’s Independent Work Program expansion project: a paid, 90-day working reference and job skills training program for low income individuals in drug treatment or foster care who are seeking financial stability and self-sufficiency.

3110 Sports Avenue, Smyrna GA 30080 770.432.4025

GET INVOLVED

VOLUNTEER: Registering online is just a click away! https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1222371113

Collective Daily Operations volunteer openings: Receptionist ♦ Case Management ♦ Data Entry

Career Services & Computer Software Skills ♦ Promotions

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Sean Caraballo learned about Construction Ready from Build Cobb graduate David Faulkner, who was newly working in the construction industry and happy to share his home with Sean while he completed the Construction Ready application process.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Sean knew the meaning of discipline and sacrifice. With support and encouragement from another Build Cobb graduate, William Wilson, Sean found a part-time job and worked whenever he could outside of class. Every day, Sean rode about an hour to class and then utilized all of his resources to make the best plans he could to get home again. He had no choice but to live by faith that he would make it through this program and onto a new career and chapter in his life.

Currently, Sean is working to save up for his driver's license and a vehicle of his own. He has big plans to work hard and be successful in his new career. To future Construction Ready students, he wants you to know that "this is a great opportunity."