PRESIDENT UPDATE & COMMITTEE REPORTS
President Jasmine Mills
- Reminder to provide any and all feedback in real-time (don’t wait until the end of the year)
- Let Jasmine and Jamie know if you spot club members in the news, any recognition/awards/announcements on social media - let's spread the good MetRotarians news!
SERVICE:
- Read United Buddies: October launch at Otis Brock & Windsor Forest Elementary Schools. Looking for volunteers to read with 2nd grade students 30 minutes twice/week. Reach out to Jasmine if you are interested.
- Brad Patrick thanked all who participated in the service day this past weekend. The staff at Re-Purpose Savannah are very grateful and happy with how our partnership is going. Michael Grabowski was awarded the exceptional achievement award, received by his mother, Denise - Proud mom!
- 10/7 volunteers shifts for Fish Gotta Swim Paddle Battle - Wilderness Southeast
- 11/15 Senior Citizens Inc. kitchen meal prep
- Background check must be completed by 10/17 - print and complete the application here - send completed form AND a copy of your Driver's License to Julie Wade
- Ro is setting up a monthly recurring senior pet food delivery through Senior Citizens - more info coming
DISTRICT EVENTS:
- We need your help, Metro! 21 Host families are needed for GRSP weekend, Oct. 13-15. Pick-Up/Drop-Off requirements. Contact Jim Drake ASAP at jdrake@drakefirmpc.com 912.655.9882
- Savannah Sunrise Rotary is hosting the 1st annual Sam Eskew Memorial Golf Tournament. 11/10, 8:30am tee, Savannah Country Club. Benefits Operation Patriots FOB. Register or donate via Venmo to Tony Uhrich as part of Metro Support.
MEMBERSHIP:
- Membership goals presented by Zerik - getting more involvement with committees and boards.
- September Challenge: “Each One Bring One”
CLUB:
- Peace Pole unveiling with Interact at Woodville-Tomkins. Will Gruver was able to get all the materials needed to make this happen for International Day of Peace - Thurs., Sept. 21 at 11:30am.
- Family Rotary event at Phil the Park: 10/7 at 4:30. Theme is “Around the World” celebrating global rhythms of Savannah. Volunteers needed- contact Sarah Smith 912.944.7012.
- Fall Fundraiser: Cindy Mullally, Chair. Save the Date: Font Porch Improv, Wednesday 11/29 6:00-9:00
- Weekly meetings, Wed @5:30 via Zoom
- Legacy Project: 8 ideas submitted so far. Committee meeting 9/28 @ 10am.
UPCOMING DATES (PROGRAMS, SERVICE, SOCIALS):
- 9/26: Social: Jerry's Lounge 5:30-7pm
- 10/3: Program Speaker: Chelsea Sawyer, CEMA
- 10/7 Service: Wilderness Southeast 50th Anniversary Paddle Battle
- 10/17: Program Speaker: Cari Phelps, Global Grant Update
- 10/24 Social: Rooftop bar TBA
- 11/15: Service: Kitchen meal prep with Senior Citizens Inc.
GUESTS/VISITORS:
- Hillary Bradbury, Director of Marketing & Communications with Goodwill Southeast Georgia- guest of Zerik Samples
- Ruth Hutson, SESCO Lighting - guest of Laura Lee Bocade
- Matthew Roach, IT with Thomas & Hutton - guest of Jennine Roach
- Emerson Ingram, Booz Allen Hamilton Cyber Security - guest of Jeff Brady
- Kristen Sommer, Gym Manager at Savannah Sport & Wellness - guest of Katie Balthrop
- Carol Bell, Public Administration - guest of Jamie Arkins
- Julian Miller, Alcove Properties real estate management - guest of Jamie Arkins
- Anne Robinson, Director of The Front Porch
FEATURED SPEAKER: Shawnessey Cargile - The Front Porch, Family Engagement & Activities Coordinator
The Front Porch – Where Youth and Families Gather, is a community-based risk reduction program. Youth who are referred to The Front Porch are assessed to identify any needs, concerning behaviors or situations that may warrant intervention. The Front Porch staff will then connect youth and families with appropriate services to address those needs.
Unique to Chatham County, this program believes that punitive doesn’t work in any area, restorative is the way to go. The court system, attorneys, mayors, DA officers have all come together to create this restorative program. Carol Bell shared her experiences regarding the 2 1/2 year start-up process of this organization. Impressed by how people decided to collaborate for the best of the children & their family.
The majority of people handling kids in trouble are carrying gun and that doesn’t need to be the case. Julian Miller spoke up and reminded us that The Front Porch received almost 20 referrals before they even opened, two of them were by children who referred themselves.
Shawnessey gave an overview of the process: from a referral to The Front Porch, youth & parent assessment, case manager involvement & referrals to agencies, follow-ups, with plans established and monitored for the next 90 days. Ultimately, families can continue to receive resources after those 90 days. One of the goals is to avoid juvenile court. The Front Porch is the only Youth MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center) in the state of Georgia.
Multi-Agency approach: Doubling down with staff from agencies – i.e. Tharros Place agent also working with The Front Porch or Shelter from the Rain placed a diaper bank at TFP.
Additional resources for the community and families. Back to School Block Rock, Healing Power of Improv, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, in hour Step Team, Household Budgeting.
Save The Date (STD): Elevator Mixer on Sept. 28th, 5:30pm at TFP
Anne Robinson, TFP Director, spoke about the return on your investment when it comes to social service agencies. It costs $90K to incarcerate a single person for one year!
Denise Grabowski mentioned that this program is invaluable. The educational outcome of this program and the resources provided is huge. Issues that the school system cannot battle on their own.
What can Rotarians and other community members to do support The Front Porch? We can scan referral QR Code and share with family and youth who might need assistance or exposed to at-risk environments. Trauma, Trouble, Grades, Relationships, Mental Health, etc… TFP aims to serve the full spectrum of situations to fully support our families and youth.