Etched in our memories forever will be the horrific events of 9/11.  Each year in New York, our country commemorates those who were lost by the annual reading of the names of the more than 2,700 victims. Even though the majority of our residents living at the Bradfield Center are too young to recall the events, they too wished to pay tribute. Through their own special ceremony, residents gained a greater understanding during this Day of Remembrance through personal stories and prayers shared by Bradfield staff.  A balloon release concluded the event.  

Program Director, Dr. Kim Bond commented, "I was so impressed with the attention and respect all the students were giving - they were so young with this happened, yet they appeared to be so touched by today's ceremony."

A special thank you to Etta Billinglea, Mary Banks and other team members for making this event possible.

AESH Program Director Lynne Taylor with Mavis Dorsey and Lynne Gaddy.  

During last month's Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home staff meeting, two longtime employees were honored for their many years of service to the organization.  Mavis Dorsey was presented with the 10-Year service award.  Mavis is the Food Services Coordinator for the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home.  She ensures that girls living at the home receive three nutritious meals and two snacks each day which is equivalent to approximately 43,800 meals and 29,200 snacks annually.  Her responsibilities also include overseeing overall food services operations for the campus. Lynne Gaddy, a 15-Year veteran to the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home currently serves as Admissions Coordinator for the home. She is responsible for overseeing all referrals to AESH, coordinates preassessment interviews and assists in many additional areas of campus life.

 Congratulations to both of you for your many years of dedicated service!

While some of you may think that leaders can only acquire  training in an office atmosphere, at Twin Cedars we disagree. Some of Columbus' newest and brightest professionals from Leadership Columbus recently experienced
Challenge By Choice; an outdoor Ropes Course located on the campus of the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home. The talented group was introduced to engaging on the ground elements as well as higher, challenging elements.  Our hope is that individuals leave the experience with a heightened sense of self, as well as a more developed knowledge of their role on the team. Trained facilitators helped the group acquire an improved sense of identity,  cohesion, purpose, and confidence in taking risks.  Participants are able to evaluate their efforts and return to  their  workplaces or communities better equipped to meet new challenges. 
   

We would like to thank students from LaGrange College for their volunteer service at the Bradfield Center in LaGrange. Each year, they work to help us organize gently used clothing that has been donated to our youth. 

Thanks to donations from the community and  volunteer service we'll be prepared for the coming months that promise to deliver much colder temperatures.

Left to Right: Penny Green and Nicole Lee

 

New part time Child Advocate Nicole Lee stated, "Finding Words Georgia is an intense training that can benefit individuals who work with children in all aspects of life. The completion of this training has brought a greater understanding of how children experience sexual abuse and why they do or don't disclose.  I can now truly say that I am confident in my ability to communicate with children and can see great purpose in knowing the role I play in this process."

Children's Tree House serves the six county Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.

Daring Divas Take First Place

Tunya Brown is pictured far right.

Twin Cedars' Tunya Brown, recently placed first in the All Female category at the West Point Lake Adventure Jam Race.  Her team, the Daring Divas, competed in the annual race that included a mountain bike trail, canoe and kayak race and a hike. Their time was 4:24:41.  The race is an annual fundraiser for the city's River Park Project.  Congratulations to Tunya and the Daring Divas!

AESH Staff Offers Heart Health Program For Its Residents
Left to Right: Mavis Dorsey, Harold Childs, & Curlie Brownlow

Exercise is commonly known to help control weight, combat heart conditions, boost energy and reduce stress.  In an effort to help residents reduce stress and promote healthy lifestyles, the staff at AESH has introduced the 100 mile Walk Club as a part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Initiative.  The goal: to walk 100 miles each month.

During the month of August the girls at AESH logged 1,438 total miles.

We would like to congratulate Shaniah for completing 138 miles and Le'nique for completing 101 miles.

Keep up the great work!

REAL COMMITTEE At GICH Participates In
Mountain Bike Training

On Saturday, September 24, GICH REAL Committee members had their second Mountain Bike Training conducted by Mr. Stuart, a former Macon Police Officer. The GICH campus has three and a half miles of mountain bike trails used by many local and state mountain bikers. The first training focused on "Knowing Your Bike" and "Bike Safety." The second training focused on using the "7 Gears" and included a few hours  of riding. GICH bike trails are competition trails with tough terrain and obstacles. The resident bikers are building biking skills and strength before heading for the trails. A special thanks to Mr. Stuart for taking on the Bike Project with the guys. A special thanks to Sheila Cloyd for her help in organizing the trainings.