Book Nooks Continue Gaining Community Support

The Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership’s Book Nook initiative continues to gain community support.  Thanks to the generosity of the Dalton State Athletics Program, the Dalton Rotary Club, and the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, funding has been pledged for 18 Book Nooks.  Two book nooks have been placed at White’s Pediatrics with the latest at City of Refuge, an outreach program that meets the physical, mental and spiritual needs of the homeless, low income, poverty level, and indigent families of the Dalton-Whitfield Community.

A picture capturing the recent book nook implementation at City of Refuge can be viewed below. 

From left to right: City of Refuge staff member; Elizabeth Chadwick, Reach Out and Read volunteer; Melissa Morrison, Archway Partnership Americorp VISTA

To learn more about book nooks, click here. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or hosting a Book Nook, please contact Readers to Leaders/United Way VISTA Melissa Morrison at readers2leadersdw@gmail.com.

Young Professional Park Restoration Project

In 2012, the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia awarded a $5,000 grant to the Archway Partnership for a Young Professional project.  The Young Professionals of Northwest Georgia have decided to put some of this money to use on February 22, 2014 by restoring Varnell Park.  Below are some pictures sent by YPONG Chair, Andrea Ownbey, illustrating the current condition of the park. 

YPONG has enlisted the help of the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the City of Varnell for this park clean-up project.  Information about the event is available at YPONG's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YPONG11.  To learn more about YPONG, click here. 

Archway Partnership Executive Committee Update

In 2009, the Archway Partnership Executive Committee gathered extensive community input to produce “Communit-E3: A Vision of the Future of Dalton-Whitfield County.” The vision encompasses three parts: education, economy, and the environment (quality of life). In recent years the committee has brainstormed various education initiatives, many of which are pertinent in fulfilling the three-part Communit-E3 vision. Some of the most promising ideas, however, have not yet come to fruition because there is not an existing organization in the community to implement them.

At the last Archway Partnership Executive Committee Meeting held on January 16, members discussed the possibility of creating of a local Community Education Alliance that would meet the existing need for hosting some of the initiatives.  The discussion is outlined here.

The Committee is excited about the potential opportunities that such an alliance would create for the Dalton-Whitfield Community. Below are some photos highlighting the January 16 meeting. 

Lynn Laughter, chair of the Executive Committee, facilitates group discussion.

Committee member Kelly Jones shares her thoughts about the alliance.

Members Mike Maret (right) and Nancy Kennedy (left) discuss their ideas. 

Committee members examine details surrounding the Community Education Alliance.