Interagency Meeting Thursday, 8/6 Gordon County DFCS representatives will be the presenters next Thursday and will be providing lunch. Please plan to attend from noon to 1:00 at Rockbridge Church in Calhoun. RSVP for lunch at or call 706-602-5139.

Rabies Vaccinations $5 City ofCalhoun Animal Control is hosting the 2nd Annual Adoption Day/Open House at the City Shelter on Saturday, August 1, from 9 – 1:00 pm (weather permitting.) Free hot dog lunch from 11:30 – 1:00 pm at 202 Kirby Road. Questions call 706-629-6746.

Reporting Child Abuse in Georgia Understand your role in recognizing and responding to suspicion of maltreatment at the FREE webinar on Thursday, 8/6, at 1:00 – 3:30 pm. To Register:

Youth Service America Invites Applications for its Summer of Creativity Grants. Youth Service America in partnership with ABC and Disney Friends for Change is accepting applications for its Summer of Creativity Grants. The grants are designed to support a service project that makes a young changemaker’s community greener, safer, smarter, healthier, cleaner, or fairer. Eligible applicants must be ages 5-18. Awardees will receive $500. To obtain an application and additional information, visit: Deadline: August 10.

Free Webinar: The Impact of PTSD in Children Join the webinar on Tuesday, 8/18, at 1:00 pm. Webinar will provide psycho-education on the causes, signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children following a traumatic event. The short and long term impact of trauma on children will be reviewed as well as the best methods to address symptoms. Also discuss the use of an evidenced based treatment, Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), to improve PTSD symptomatology.To Register:

Save the date! Let’s Be Clear Georgia: A Collaborative to Prevent Marijuana Abuse on Monday, August 17, in Warner Robins. Lunch will be served from Noon to 12:30 p.m., with meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. New location, Flint Energies located at 900 GA-96 in Warner Robins (Houston County). Click here to RSVP.

FREE LUNCH AND LEARN: Save Georgia Hemlocks Speaker Donna Shearer, chairman of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks, will make a presentation on Thursday, 8/13, from noon to 1:00 at the Gordon County Agricultural Services Center. Register by calling 706-629-8685 or email Bring your lunch!

CHANGES AT THE VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER Please read the following notification -

Message from Jim Reddoch, VAC Board Chairperson

The Board of Directors for the Voluntary Action Center has accepted the resignation of Executive Director Stacy Long, effective August 14. We are sad to see Stacy leave the Voluntary Action Center after a successful career of providing valuable services to our neighbors. Thank you, Stacy, for your leadership and for being an important part of the Voluntary Action Center these past 5 years. We wish Stacy all the best in her new career.

The Board is proud to announce that Nancy Soto has been hired as the new Executive Director to begin her duties on August 3. Nancy brings experience, knowledge, and passion to the mission of the Voluntary Action Center. We'd like to thank the community, our volunteers, donors, and all supporters for their wonderful commitment to the Voluntary Action Center over these past 5 years. I know that the community will continue to support Nancy and the Voluntary Action Center, its excellent staff, and all of our volunteers as they continue to enrich and deepen the services that our citizens count on every day.

Message from Former VAC Director Stacy Long

I feel that I’ve completed my journey with this fantastic organization. Through the passion and support of our volunteers, donors, and supporters we’ve been able to accomplish many wonderful things over the last five years. The VAC will always be close to my heart, but it’s time for a new leader to guide the VAC. With a new leader will come a new vision and path down the road of service to the men, women, and children of Gordon County.

I will miss each and every one of the individuals and agencies affiliated with Interagency and Family Connection. It has been a wonderful journey for me and I feel I’ve made some lifelong connections. I have decided to return to my first love which is banking and hope to continue my relationships with you as I begin this next chapter in my life.

Message from New Executive Director Nancy Soto

I would simply like to say that I am extremely excited to be a part of such a dynamic team as the new Executive Director of Voluntary Action Center! The agency has experienced tremendous growth and progress over the past few yearsunder the leadership of Stacy Long, the former Executive Director,and I am looking forward to taking that vision to the next level.I am committed to serve this communityand I hope we can count on your continued support.Thank you again for this opportunity!

Two Positions AvailableBartow Clubhouse – APEX is seeking social service techs for direct service. Submit resume to Healthcare Staffing at or fax to 706-624-8328

For questions, contact Family Connection of Gordon County Coordinator Roberta Charbonneau.

Call 702-602-5139 or email