Do you know what determines the federal funding each state receives for programs essential to our communities like Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, Head Start, SNAP & WIC, Special Education, Pell Grant subsidies, Affordable Housing, and SO much more? It comes from the Census. Census 2020 is coming! We need to ensure that Georgia gets an accurate count of all people no matter their age, ethnicity, income-level, or where they live so we can receive the proper federal funding for the programs our communities rely on. The census also tells the government where people live to determine political representation, what businesses should develop where, and what services are needed where (like locations for hospitals). It may be intimidating to provide the government the answers to the 10 questions on the form, but it is important to know that your information is safe and secure. However you choose to complete your form (online, over the phone, on paper, or with a census worker) it is important that you get counted!
Community Connections
Everyone Counts. 2020 Census
Census 2020 is coming up soon! Make sure you, your neighbor, and your community are prepared to fill out your forms come census day on April 1, 2020. The effects from the results of the census will be felt by every person living in the United States for the next 10 years! Your voice needs to be heard to ensure Georgia receives the proper federal funding for programs impacting health care, education, infrastructure, and so much more! The census will also impact your political representation on both the state and federal level for 10 years. Everyone will start receiving information about how to do the census by mail in mid-March. You can complete the census starting immediately by logging online, or by calling the phone line. You must wait until mid-April if you wish to receive a paper form. The Census is available in 13 languages and is safe, secure, and private! Starting in May, if you have not yet completed your form a census worker may come to your home to help you complete your census.
Call for Artists
Design a Local Community Book Exchange and Help Promote Literacy for Gwinnett’s Youngest Readers!
Gwinnett Coalition of Health & Human Services is seeking artists for a new program, G.R.E.A.T. (Gwinnett Reading Exchange & Art Transforms) Little Minds. We need local artists to help design and decorate the small prebuilt structures that will serve as free community book exchanges. These enclosed miniature houses will be installed throughout the community. Community members will then be able to visit the exchange to borrow a book and return it after they’re finished. Books will be targeted towards children eight years old and younger to promote early literacy.
How to Get Involved
You don’t have to be a trained artist to make an impact!
- Submit the Artist Application
- Once approved, you can pick up your book exchange
- Design Your Exchange! Guidelines for designs can be found here.
- Return your completed book exchange to the Hudgens Center by January 21st, 2020
Completed book exchanges will be on exhibit prior to their installation at the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, located at the Infinite Energy Center.
For more information contact Katie Gill at GREATLittleMinds@gwinnettcoalition.org or (770) 995-3339, ext. 209 at the Gwinnett Coalition of Health & Human Services.
Additional Information
Where Will the Book Exchanges Go After They’re Designed?
Once the public has a chance to view all the book exchanges at the Hudgens Center for Arts & Learning exhibition, the completed designs will be distributed throughout the county in areas of need.
Not an Artist but Still want to Help?
Book Exchanges can be sponsored by local businesses, community groups, or families. For more information on Sponsorship or adopting a community book exchange, head here or fill out our interest form.
Guidelines for Designing your Book Exchange:
Your pre-built book exchange served as its initial canvas. But if you can start from scratch if you prefer, as long as the design follows the size, weatherproofing, and construction standards. You can read more about those standards here.
Most book exchanges will be outdoors. In creating a design, consider the weather and other elements of nature. Designs should be created with durability and public safety in mind. You may modify the original book exchange but objects or additions to alter the book exchange should be attached in such a way that it cannot be easily removed.
Requirements & Resources
Requirements:
- Book exchanges must be primed
- minimum of three coats of varnish (using a two-part, hard gloss) to protect the durability of your design.
Restrictions:
- All designs should be appropriate for public display.
- Designs that are religious, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted.
- Corporate logos and advertising are also not allowed.
Holiday Wish List 2019
The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services reaches out to local nonprofits this time of the year and asks for a wish list to help their clients. For many, this holiday season is a time for families to fulfill their gift lists and for many local businesses to meet their 2019 profit goals. However, this is also a time to remember not everybody can experience enjoyment during the holiday gift-giving season.
If you would like to give back to our Gwinnett County community, please click on this wish list to see where you can make a difference. Thank you!
Board of Directors Recruitment Announcement
Gwinnett Coalition is seeking proven leaders to serve as members of its Board of Directors.
A burst of population growth in the 1980’s significantly influenced the health and human service provider community in Gwinnett County. As a result, a need to promote collaboration between major public and private health and human service providers to prevent duplication of services and to advocate for the best use of scarce resources was identified. Thus, the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services (Gwinnett Coalition) was established in 1990 to meet this critical need.
Since its inception, the Gwinnett Coalition has served as a public/private partnership of health and human service providers and organizations, state and county government agencies, members of the business community and civic-engaged citizens that collaborate to identify critical community needs and resources, set priorities, plan solutions, and educate and motivate the community into action.
Given the changing community dynamics and the ever-evolving health and human service needs of Gwinnett County residents, the Gwinnett Coalition has recently completed a robust strategic planning process to help guide the organization’s future growth and development. The Strategic Plan provides a roadmap for evolving the organization into a more strategic-oriented organization that prioritizes and focuses its efforts on driving impact in critical and complex issues that result in systemic change.
As a result, the Gwinnett Coalition is seeking proven leaders to serve as members of its Board of Directors. The role of the Board of Directors is to advance the mission of the Gwinnett Coalition, and contribute directly to the organization’s goals by providing leadership and strategic governance. As ambassadors for the organization, board members work to inform and engage others in the Gwinnett Coalition’s efforts and hold a range of responsibilities, particularly in the areas of planning, policy, and development. While day-to-day operations are led by the Gwinnett Coalition’s Chief Executive Officer/President (CEO), the Board-CEO relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected.
An affinity for the work of the organization is paramount, as is a willingness to contribute an average of one hour per week in time, including Board meetings, committee meetings, and individual work in between meetings. Diversity in all its forms (age, ethnicity, race, gender, and geography) is welcomed by the Board and is very important to the organization.
To be considered for a position on the Board of Directors or to nominate a qualified individual, please email Board Chair, Mary Hester, mary@lansystems.com. Nominations close and applications are due by October 18, 2019. After that date, interviews will be scheduled for selected candidates for Board Positions with the Nominating Committee. The selected slate of new members of the Board will be submitted for vote to the existing Board of Directors at the December 3rd, 2019 meeting in accordance with the Bylaws.