Success stories of community collaboration:  Gwinnett Coalition of Health of Health and Human Services

 

1.  Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute (GNLI)

 

GNLI originally began as an initiative of the Coalition.  However, over the past 4 years, it has developed into a strong organization and a major partner of the Coalition.  GNLI is a grassroots community leadership organization which selects county residents to participate in a variety of seminars and learn how to mobilize their local communities.  There are many accomplishments of GNLI graduates, particularly of the recent graduating class of 1998-1999, which has exemplified a spirit of business savvy and understanding of community needs to lead them to accomplish two great feats. 

 

For instance, a website was established for citizens of Gwinnett by this class under the leadership of Malcolm Birch, who currently works for Digital, Inc. and resides in Sugar Hill, Georgia.  Mr.. Birch said he had "always been politically active in the community - attending town hall meetings, lobbying to local representatives even though he was concerned that he was not getting the results he desired within his local community."  He said all of that change after he participated in the GNLI. In his words, “GNLI is not only good, but it is essential.  It taught me to get people from apathy to action." 

 

The website url is www.gnli.org  and provides citizens with a history of the GNLI, instructions on how to apply to the program, and information about various resources in the community.  Through the website, citizens are able to find out about upcoming events and make tax-deductible donations.  The class of 1998-1999 raised over $5,000 to create the website.

 

Mary Jane LaBonte, a 1999 GNLI alumni who resides in Lawrenceville, GA and works at Gwinnett Tech, said she learned much more than she had anticipated.  Mrs. LaBonte said that GNLI taught her how to accomplish things in the community.  "It is one thing to have an idea, but to actually make it a reality" is what she said she earned.  She shared an example of an idea that became a reality is when she and two classmates established the Gwinnett County Toastmasters Club.  Aptly titled the County Seat Toastmasters, it was chartered in March 1999 and currently has over 60 members who meet regularly to practice and refine their public speaking skills in a non-threatening environment.  Mrs. LaBonte said, “as individuals we have our own unique skills and we have to learn to use these talents and skills for a greater community good and to accomplish great things”. 

 

Mr. Birch and Mrs. LaBonte believe so much in the program they have decide to be a mentor to the incoming class of GNLI participants.  For more information about GNLI and how you can get involved, please contact Trish Joyner, Program Director, at (678) 377-4137.

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Youth of Element Success, Inc.

 

The mission of YES, Inc. is to provide early intervention, develop and strengthen the character of today’s Youth by providing them with all of the elements to successfully overcome the pressures of society, the ability and desire to excel in school, and to contribute to their community.

 

YES, Inc. was founded in January of 1998 by a group of concerned citizens and parents who realized the school system could not effectively educate the children if they did not have self-esteem, self-respect, or a sense of purpose in life.

 

One of the programs YES, Inc. offers is the YES Leadership Academy (YLA), which is an alternative school for children who have been suspended or expelled from the local schools. YLA allows children to continue their education and receive counseling for their disruptive behavior. Kito Townsend, a 15 year old tenth grader at Meadowcreek High School was a successful participant of  YLA and was able to matriculate back to high school.  He displayed many issues facing  youth today, including a divorced family, a single female headed household, blended family issues with new step-father and step siblings, and a family facing financial difficulties.  Mr. Johnson,  his assistant principal, remarked on what a dramatic difference he has seen in his attitude and behavior since he has returned to school and participated in YLA. 

 

For more information about YES and its programs, please contact YoVonne Golden at (770)   .

 

 

3.  Comprehensive Youth Health Survey.

 

The purpose of the Comprehensive Youth Health Survey was to paint a picture of today's youth in terms of their positive attributes and risky behavior.  Due to the perceived affluence in Gwinnett County, many parents and citizens are unaware of the problems that our youth are facing and the decisions they make daily regarding their health. 

 

Fifteen stakeholders, including the representatives from the school system, public health, the hospital system and more participated in developing the survey, which was administered in Fall 1996.  Over 6500 middle and high school students were involved in what became one of the largest studies of its kind.  Shocking findings were shared across the community to promote awareness and action.  The community has developed numerous initiatives to address these findings and strengthen opportunities for our youth.  For more information, contact Ellen Gerstein, Executive Director of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services at (770) 995-3339.