Library Interior Design Project Completed

Last fall, the Northwest Georgia Regional Library asked the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership for assistance in creating a Workforce Development Center in the ground level of the Dalton library.  With an eye towards a promising grant opportunity, the library specifically asked for help developing a functional design plan for the space that would utilize existing resources and amenities but create a bright new space for learning.

After conversations with Archway Coordinator of Operations, Sue Chapman,  Associate Director and Interior Design Chair of the Lamar Dodd School of Art, Thom Houser, volunteered for the task.  Dr. Houser traveled to Dalton in December to meet with library staff and tour the room contemplated for the redesign.  He then returned to Athens, where he and Linda Floyd, Northwest Georgia Regional Library Director, continued their work long-distance.

In February, Professor Houser returned to Dalton to share the final plans with Linda Floyd and Library Board Chair, Tangela Johnson.  “The plans far exceeded our expectations, including every element we had requested while allowing the space to flow seamlessly,” said Linda Floyd.  “The Library Board is very appreciative of everything Archway and Professor Houser have done to help facilitate this project!”  These plans were presented to an anonymous, generous donor who has matched a State Legislative approved Allocation of $100,000 with the required $100,000.  Construction on the project should begin this summer. 

The new center will house: one large and one small classroom, tutoring rooms, a collaborative workspace with table and computers, a technology helpdesk with library staff, a comfortable seating area with electrical outlets for laptops and other wireless device usage, copy and fax machines, and printers.  This will be a state-of-the art learning facility open to the public with free classes.   

Linda Floyd (center), stands with Thom Houser at a planning meeting. 

The Archway Partnership Speaks at Local Rotary Club

On March 4, Archway Professionals Melissa Lu and Katy Green spoke to the Dalton Rotary Club about the Dalton-Whitfield First Five Coalition. The presentation included the group’s current goals, community-wide challenges in prenatal care and early literacy, and accomplishments. Photos of the event can be viewed below, and the presentation can be seen here.

 First Five Executive Committee Chair, Dixie Kinard, talks about Archway initiatives and introduces Archway Professionals Melissa Lu and Katy Green.

 Archway Education Professional, Katy Green, discusses First Five’s involvement in the community.

Archway Professional Melissa Lu thanks club members for their ongoing support.

Saturday Academy Wraps Up

The Archway Partnership Saturday Academy pilot program finished with its final Saturday on April 12. An article highlighting the program was published in the local Daily Citizen newspaper and can be read here. Thank you to all of the families, volunteers, and organizations who made this possible - we couldn't have done it without you! To put their importance into perspective, here are some numbers:

30 families with 68 children participated; 
54 volunteers devoted a total of 357 hours of their time; and
15 collaborative agencies provided services, food, time, and energy!

Byron Castillo-Sanchez, 4, takes a test with Archway Education Professional Katy Green at the Mack Gaston Community Center. (Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen)

Young Professional Park Restoration Project: An Update

Our last update on the Dalton Whitfield Archway Partnership's involvement with the Young Professionals of Northwest Georgia (YPONG) discussed their intent to restore Varnell Park on February 22. 

They have since followed through with the project. You can read about their success, and see before and after photos here! 

Week of the Young Child

It's officially the Week of the Young Child! Learn what it is here.

Dalton-Whitfield Community "Springs" into Reading

An Archway-initiated book drive titled “Spring into Reading” recently concluded with more than 1,100 books donated! Recipient organizations/programs of the books include: local pre-k institutions, Sharing is Caring, and Book Nooks. More than 415 books from the drive were distributed during pre-k registration at the end of March. The ultimate goal of the book drive is to foster at-home reading for children with minimal exposure to books and family reading at home. Seven organizations hosted book bins for donations, and we salute the Dalton-Whitfield Community for a job well done! Pictured below are some snapshots from the book drive. 

Archway VISTA Melissa Morrison stands beside a book bin hosted by the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce.

Book Donation Bin

 Book donations included those from a local grocery store.

 These are just some of the books collected from the Dalton-Whitfield Regional Library.

A few of the 400+ books being prepared for pre-k registration in March.

Saturday Academy: Collaboration in Action

After many discussions with the local school districts, non-profit organizations, and local citizens, it was clear that building parent capacity for the families with young children should be a top priority of our local Archway education efforts. Teachers report that children are entering kindergarten without basic readiness skills. Further, the majority of preschool-aged children in the Dalton-Whitfield community do not attend early learning environments.  There are also concerns that school-aged children need additional tutoring, help with homework, and stimulating activities on the weekends. After brainstorming community solutions to support the young children and their families of the community, the idea of Saturday Academy was conceived.

Prior to kicking off a pilot program and study on March 8, Archway fostered a collaborative planning meeting. Sixteen individuals representing 12 community organizations gathered on February 24 to discuss a vision, objectives, and areas of support for the program! Funding followed suit, with private donors and organizations pledging $5,600 in support.

The pilot program began as planned on March 8, with over 45 children, 19 families, and 25 volunteers! To date, the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership has hosted and facilitated the third of six consecutive, fun-filled Saturdays for 3-5 year olds and their families at the local Community Center.  To enhance school readiness for young children and their families, community partners work together to host parent education classes, parent-child interactive classes, and family fun time.  Researchers from the University of Georgia, Georgia State, and West Georgia were on site the first week and assisted by faculty from our two local systems, as well as Dalton State College in assessing children's school readiness skills.  At the conclusion of the pilot study, the researchers will analyze parent and child data to determine if the programming was effective building parent capacity, improving home learning environments, and improving preschoolers’ school readiness skills. Pictures of the event can be seen on our Facebook page here.