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Hope Herald
A newsletter of
Twin Cedars
Youth & Family Services, Inc.
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 | Brookestone 4th graders visit the
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home for
Servant Leadership Projects. |
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From The Director...
Many of you who have received our Hope Herald newsletter over the past year have enjoyed reading about the success of the children we care for, the dedicated volunteer groups who offer support and the Twin Cedars team members who make it all possible. Whether in a meeting or at a special event, our readers always ask, "HOW CAN I HELP?" Twin Cedars has recently expanded Specialized Foster Care services to Columbus. With 10-12 highly trained foster parents, we are on the cusp of helping children who have been removed from their homes find a safe place to live. While in foster care these children will need support services. They will require medical care, tutoring services, and counseling sessions to name a few. With an economic forecast that proves bleak at best, we are asking our supporters for the donation of a gently used 4 door sedan to help make this possible. Other opportunities exist for charitable donations including our online giving option. As always, thank you for all you do to help Twin Cedars make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Click Here To Make A Secure On line Donation
For the Children,
Mike Angstadt
Executive Director
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Program Spotlight
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home
Click Here to take an on line tour of our
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home Campus
The ANNE ELIZABETH SHEPHERD HOME in Columbus provides specialized residential treatment programs (MWO) for adolescent and teen girls. Girls who have experienced sexual abuse or other similar trauma can be served through Butler Cottage; we also work with adolescent and teen girls who have demonstrated sexually aggressive behaviors in Chappell Cottage. Residents live in a safe, staff-secured environment where they receive life skills training and year round education services at Ault Academy, our on-site school.
Also in Columbus is REALITY HOUSE, which offers step down services in a community based setting. This is an AWO program offering services to girls ages 14-17 in a supportive, home-like environment while they attend public school, college, vocational school or may be working on their G.E.D. This program replicates a real-world atmosphere for the girls who are preparing to reintegrate into their communities.
 to visit REALITY HOUSE
Please contact:
Lynne Gaddy at (706) 322-8984 ext 102.
AESH Referral FAX: (706) 596-0705 OR
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
 | | AESH Program Director, Lynne Taylor |
Either you've had it, or you know someone who has; breast cancer.
According to the ACS, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year. Unfortunately, the numbers don't lie. The Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home's Lynne Taylor and Sue Clinkscales know the effects of the dreaded disease all too well. While their battles were much different, the outcome has been positive; life beyond cancer. Bound by work, true friendship and survival, they collaborate each year to educate and promote awareness in the Columbus area about breast cancer.
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AESH Education Coordinator, Sue Clinkscales |
"Our job is to help young girls living at the AESH overcome abuse and prepare them for life beyond their time in foster care. As volunteers for the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon in Columbus, our young ladies are exposed to Servant Leadership activities. Most importantly, they are educated about early detection, which is the leading fight against breast cancer," commented Taylor who oversees the AESH. |
Twin Cedars Hosts First Annual
Second Chance Home Reunion
Family is an important component to a young mother and her child. It represents support and love through the challenges of parenthood. Unfortunately, many teen parents lack support systems. For the young mothers who come to live at a Twin Cedars Second Chance Home, special bonds are formed among the residents and staff they live with. Even upon completion of the program young mothers need continued support. This year, Second Chance Home staff organized the First Annual Family Reunion for their former residents. The day's activities included teambuilding, health and wellness presentations, motivational speakers, as well as a community resource fair. "It was a tremendous success," commented veteran staff member Henri Davidson. "We are hopeful to bring our program alumni together annually. These program graduates will serve as role models to current moms and babies who are getting a second chance," she furthered. about Twin Cedars' Second Chance Homes   Photo Credit: Jess Jones |
"SOCK IT TO DRUGS"
An overview of Red Ribbon Week at Bradfield
Bradfield residents recently showcased their support of being drug free through a variety of activities held during Red Ribbon Week. Marcus Pollard, former NFL tight end and AMAZING RACE participant, served as the keynote speaker for the week.
Other activities included crazy socks and caps, signature session to remain drug free, red velvet cake tasting, poster contests and a special balloon release.
The national awareness campaign serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.
 | | MARCUS POLLARD, former NFL Tight End and AMAZING RACE contestant speaks at Red Ribbon Week. |
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Wesleyan Students Participate in WOW Service Day at
Georgia Industrial Children's Home
On Saturday, September 24, Wesleyan volunteers brought
"WOW! A Day for Macon" to GICH. Five young Wesleyan women put on their work gloves to help spruce up the campus by putting pine straw around Mumford Hall, Baldwin Cottage, and Anderson Cottage. GICH enjoys a great relationship with Wesleyan and has for many years. Thanks to these young women who gave up much of their Saturday to help at GICH. Thanks to Wesleyan for your continued support.
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Nutrition 101 for TRUST
Obesity, poor nutrition, and limited physical activity are significant health concerns. Poor health disproportionately affects minority and low-income populations.* To address these problems, TRUST clients are currently participating in the Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program.
The program offers the opportunity for TRUST clients to:
Save money on food
Plan quick and easy meals for their family
Prepare delicious and nutritious recipes
Keep foods safe to eat
Through this program our TRUST clients will receive sample recipes and a cookbook to further encourage positive outcomes for their families.
*According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. |
Updates at Muscogee County Juvenile Court
Welcome Judge Andrew Dodgen 
On September 30, 2011, Judge Aaron Cohn retired as the Presiding Judge of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Judge Cohn had a legacy of serving in Muscogee County for over 47 years. He has been involved in Juvenile and Family Courts at the local, state and national level and is highly revered and respected nationwide. On October 14, 2011 Judge Warner Kennon Sr. was sworn in as the Presiding Judge of the circuit and attorney Andrew Dodgen was sworn in as the associate Judge. Attorney Dodgen is no stranger to Muscogee County Juvenile Court and you may have had the opportunity to observe him in action. Here are a few facts about Judge Dodgen; He graduated from LaGrange College in 1983 and Mercer Law School in 1986. Judge Dodgen has been practicing general, civil and family law in his own private practice since 1986.
He has held positions as public defender in Juvenile Court for delinquency hearings, was on the planning committee and served 11 years for Juvenile Drug Court, and has been Judge Pro-Tem. Judge Dodgen states, "Working in Juvenile court is unlike other courts and I had to change my way of thinking. Children are not like chess pieces being moved around by lawyers; their lives must be considered. They are human beings and their life and the life of their families count." Welcome Judge Andrew Dodgen.
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Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home Auxiliary
Hosts Fall Harvest Festival
 
The change of the seasons from summer to fall means cooler temperatures, college football, and fairs and festivals. Each year, the AESH Auxiliary Activities Committee organizes the Fall Harvest Festival for the AESH girls. It is a perfect time for food, fun and fellowship. Featured activities included pumpkin bowling, candy bar walks, skeleton puzzles, the eyeball toss and more. Auxiliary members served hot dogs topped with Columbus' famous Dinglewood chili as well as Halloween cupcakes.
Thank you to the Auxiliary for making this event such a tremendous success.
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OUR TCYFS PROGRAMS
Mike Angstadt,
Executive Director Columbus
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home
Reality House
Weracoba Second Chance Home
Children's Tree House
Chattahoochee CASA
T.R.U.S.T.
Community Counseling
Child Access & Visitation Program
Truancy Intervention Project
LaGrange
Bradfield Center
Connections Coleman Center (LaGrange) Community Counseling Circle of Care Adult Parenting Comprehensive Awareness Program Children's Advocacy Center of Troup County Supervised Visitation Troup Co. Prevention Coalition Magnolias Neighborhood (LaGrange)
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Our Leadership
THE TCYFS BOARD
Kenneth Gordon
President
Frank "Chunk" Newman
Vice President
Arthur Bickerstaff
Secretary
Cathy Smith
Treasurer
Patrick Crews
Past President Markette Baker
Greg Brown
Rep. Debbie Buckner
Bobby Doerr
Jerry Fulks
Linda McMullen
Barbara Miller
George Moore
Cheryl Myers
Alice Owens
Stacey Poydasheff
W.B. "Bill" Shedd
Bill Stump
Al Zachry |
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THE TCYFS FOUNDATION
Arthur B. "Skin" Edge, III
Vice President
Gene Kemp
Secretary/Treasurer Jerry Fulks
Liaison to the
TCYFS Board of Directors
Nancy Durand
Clifton Fay
Susan Prather |
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WELCOME NEW TCYFS EMPLOYEES
Demetrice Jackson
Group Leader II
GICH
Traci Brinson
Group Leader Assistant
GICH
Trevino Pope
Group Leader II
GICH
Joe RicksGroup Leader III GICH Tim Cox
Group Leader Assistant
Connections
Austen Saners
CSI
LaGrange Mental Health |
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Parenting Tips
Back To Sleep *In 1992 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued the recommendation that babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Since Back To Sleep was launched in 1994, the incidence of SIDS has declined by more than 50%. |
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| Grant Announcement | |
TCYFS was recently awarded a $200,000 per year contract for 5 years to provide Alcohol Use/Abuse Prevention Services in Region 6 by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities' Office of Prevention Services and Programs. Through the contract Twin Cedars will provide services in collaboration with community partners that will address several areas regarding underage drinking. Congratulations to Mandy Hill and her team!
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| Upcoming Events | 
SAVE THE DATE May 6, 2012 Georgia Industrial Children's Home Macon's 1st Four Course Farm to Table Dinner with Wine Pairing |
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