One of the treats that goes with my role as First Lady is the opportunity to meet women from all over the country and all over the world who share the title of First Lady in their respective communities. As I travel and correspond with those that share this title, I have grown to realize how it can transcend geographical boundaries.
Recently, I hosted a delegation of First Ladies from various counties in Kenya while they were in Georgia. They were here to research and advocate for the betterment of their communities. As we chatted over a glass of Georgia Peach Punch, I realized that the geographical boundaries seemed to disappear. At the core of our discussion, our intentions were the same. We all strive to promote education, training and development for our citizens; to ensure their health, safety and well-being; to promote equality through community initiatives; and to publicly advocate for economic progress. We do all of these things to make our homes a better place to live, work and raise a family.
We share a role, a title and the deeply rooted desire to see all of these positive things come to fruition.
As you may know, for me personally, being a former teacher has shaped my platform as First Lady. I have taken a keen interest in promoting all aspects of education. In May, I was invited to visit the Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta. Using modern-day resources, they created a video program which links Canadian and Atlanta-Area female students who have a knack for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to encourage them to be inspired, seek and prepare for strong futures in these areas.
To go into further detail, the program operates via video chat. Two young girls from Canada took to the web to share their success’ in these fields. By opening up the lines of communication, it allows our Atlanta-Area female students to witness ways in which their peers are able to invent and create careers in these types of professions.
It is networks like those aforementioned that help motivate progress and stimulate entire populations. This summer as many of you vacation, I urge you to reach out and meet people from different regions. Share what you are doing in your community and inquire about what they are doing for theirs. You never know what could spark a connection that could help millions.
Life in Georgia is full of promise. My travels have provided me with the opportunity to meet remarkable and inspiring people in every corner of our state. I’m excited about the future we’re building for our families, communities, and especially our young people. Our children can look to successful Georgians as an example in any almost career path they choose or dream they wish to pursue.
Three of these Georgians have used their talents, gifts and influence to give back to others. Their generosity and leadership make them role models to all of us, but to young people in particular. These Georgians are musician Usher Raymond V, Zac Brown Band member Coy Bowles, and University of Georgia football star Malcolm Mitchell. Each of these young men have developed programs or tools to encourage young people to discover their talents, work hard to achieve their goals and to “pay it forward” to others along the way.
Usher is the founder of New Look, a non-profit organization which aims to empower young people all over the world through education and real-life experiences. Studies have shown that students who are engaged in areas of interest to them are more likely to stay in school. New Look’s programs, which have experienced such success that some are being implemented in Georgia schools, help young people identify areas of interest and develop the skills necessary to become successful in those fields. I met one such example recently at a New Look awards luncheon, which celebrated the foundation’s 16th anniversary and honored “ignitors” of youth empowerment. Rebecca Williams, who, through training she received through New Look, was able to realize her dream and found her own charity, Books IV Bonding. Through her organization, Williams is providing students in places like Detroit and Kenya with books that promote leadership and community involvement.
As a former teacher, recognizing the individuality of students and celebrating their unique personalities and differences was one of the most important parts of my job. As First Lady, instilling the joys of reading in children has been among my primary focuses. Coy Bowles, a member of the Georgia-based Zac Brown Band, is promoting literacy while encouraging self-confidence with his book “Amy Giggles—Laugh Out Loud.” Bowles’ message to young people is acceptance of self and of others and recognition of how we can all contribute to our communities. Bowles is working on his second book, “Will Powers,” which stresses the importance of setting personal goals and working proactively to successfully reach them.
Malcolm Mitchell set and worked diligently towards his goals as a football player at the University of Georgia. He applied the same diligence and commitment in obtaining his degree as he did in athletics. Mitchell became an avid reader, joined a book club and sought advice from others in his chosen area of study. He encouraged students to do the same by visiting schools, where he’d speak on his love of football, the importance of attending college, and the transformative power of reading. He took that advice and incorporated it into children’s book, “The Magician’s Hat,” which focuses on recognizing your gifts, working hard to develop those skills and reaching personal goals.
Sixty-eight percent of fourth graders in Georgia are not reading proficiently.
Take a moment to consider that statistic. It is an enormous one. Two-thirds of Georgia’s children have missed the first major milestone of a successful education: the ability to read by the end of the third grade.
Third grade is a critical transition point, the period when children should be making the shift from learning to read to reading to learn. Children who miss this milestone and are unable to read by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. They will then enter a job market with a 15 percent unemployment rate for those with a high school diploma or less. Proficient fourth-grade readers, on the other hand, are more likely to be high school graduates and be economically successful adults.
This is about more than stumbling over words. Reading proficiency affects a child’s entire educational future. So, how do you solve a problem with an array of causes, and an array of consequences, both public and private? My husband, Gov. Nathan Deal, has prioritized reading on grade level by third grade, and the Get Georgia Reading Campaign is taking up that charge. A public/private partnership of more than 100 organizations is working to ensure that children have access to everything they need to achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade. That means books, of course, but also food, vaccines, high-quality language-rich learning environments, engaged parents, and effective teachers. We cannot expect children to learn to read when they are hungry, sick, or in harmful environments.
Our goal is that, in 2020, all Georgia’s third-graders will be reading proficiently. This requires careful attention to four basic pillars:
* First, language nutrition. On average, children born into low-income families arrive in kindergarten having heard 30 million fewer words than their peers from more financially stable homes, hence the launch of the “Talk With Me Baby” campaign. In order to achieve our goal, all children must participate in language-rich adult-child interactions, which are as critical for brain development as healthy food is for physical growth.
* Access. All children and their families must have access to high-quality educational opportunities, including Pre-K, Head Start, childcare, K-3, afterschool and summer learning. They must also have access to support and intervention services that will allow them to take advantage of that education -- safe housing, healthy food, safe transportation, and health and dental care.
* Productive learning climates. All educators, families and policymakers must understand and address the impact of learning climate on children’s social and emotional development, school attendance, engagement and, ultimately, student success. All these stakeholders must take seriously their responsibility to focus attention not only on curriculum, but on the environmental quality of the school, as well.
* Teacher preparation and effectiveness. Teachers of children ages birth through 8 make a tremendous impact on the language and literacy development of their students. This means all educators must provide high-quality, evidence- informed instruction and effective learning experiences tailored to the needs of each child, regardless of the child’s background. Early childhood teachers must view themselves as change-makers, rather than caretakers. System and school leaders must be committed to ensuring teachers have the skills and resources to be effective.
When we discuss the ability of our children to read -- and to read proficiently, by the end of third grade -- we are, of course, discussing education. We are also discussing the future of our state -- its business prospects, its vibrancy and the experiences it is able to offer to its citizens. Reading proficiently begins by talking and reading to your child at home and continues with competent instruction in the classroom. We must ensure that our children are not left behind. Let’s work together to get Georgia’s children reading.
“Each life is precious” is the last line of the congratulatory message in the greeting card signed by Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal which is given to parents throughout the state as a reminder to immunize their newborn to help promote a safe and healthy life. Providing this card is an initiative of the Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet. As of the month of June, 129,850 cards have been distributed to hospitals and First Steps hospitals across Georgia. 1,300 of the cards have been distributed here in Henry County at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
Each month the Children’s Cabinet focuses on a particular area related to improving outcomes for children and families. The Cabinet has designated July as the month to focus on immunizations. The immunization awareness campaign is the vehicle by which the Cabinet has chosen to share with Georgia residents that immunizing newborns is one of the best ways to protect the health and safety of all Georgia children.
First Lady Sandra Deal says, “We as parents love our children. Our goal is to see them grow up strong and healthy. To ensure they stay healthy, it is important that we protect them from diseases that would undermine their future. We can do this through immunizations.”
As one of 24 states to participate in Hallmark’s For America’s Babies program, Governor & Mrs. Deal have provided the specialized greeting cards to distribute to Georgia residents at no cost to the state. The card includes an immunization schedule for the parents of newborns to complete, a congratulatory message that emphasizes the importance of immunizations and a detachable growth chart. According to the Georgia Immunization Study conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health in 2011, Georgia statewide immunizations up to 24 months increased to 82.4% from 76.3% in 2010. It is evident that statewide initiatives like that of the Children’s Cabinet immunization campaign are essential to improving the welfare of Georgia’s children.
Mrs. Deal co-chairs the Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet with the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office for Children and Families, Katie Jo Ballard. Together they work to ensure that the policies and initiatives that are developed by the Cabinet align with identified state strategic priorities. The Cabinet’s endeavors are guided by its mission and values that include its focus on creating a “comprehensive system of education and care to serve children and families” in a “family centered, individualized, culturally competent, cost effective…” manner.
“The Children’s Cabinet offers an opportunity for various heads of agencies and community leaders to share an open conversation about the needs of which we are aware regarding Georgia’s children. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and to streamline services. The Cabinet enables us to work together for the good of the child” said the First Lady.
Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet consists of all state agency heads that work with child populations and select community, philanthropic, education and business stakeholders. The Cabinet collaborates to make recommendations on improving delivery of services to children, increasing effectiveness of child welfare and juvenile justice resources, and ensuring that children are equipped to be successful in school.
Undoubtedly, Georgia has a child-centered focus and aims to ensure that the well-being of each child is protected. Mrs. Deal and the Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet are an integral part of Georgia’s goal to preserve and improve the lives of our most precious resource: our children.
Memories of the Mansion is the previously untold story of the almost half-century old history of the beautiful Georgia Governor’s Mansion and the First Families who have lived there. It is my hope that those who read this book will appreciate its stories and pictures almost as much as we enjoyed gathering and recording them. This book is a collection of historical facts and stories I learned as I searched for knowledge about my new home.
Nathan and I had visited the Georgia Governor’s Mansion on several occasions, but occupying it as the 82nd governor was different. I discovered that we were only the eighth family to live in this Greek Revival-style home with its museum-quality collection of antiques. Who chose this furniture? Who built this house?
The grounds were even more fascinating. Why were there big columns around the tennis courts? Who built the swimming pool and the two fountains? Where did we get the statues that look like “Maidens of the Seasons” and who created the terraces leading to them? I had lots of questions and I needed answers.
I decided to invite the former governors and their wives to dinner. My goal was to gather information about the mansion, but they had more fun talking about politics and old friends. I did not learn much. The next week I arranged to visit former First Lady Betty Foy Sanders, who planned this “new” mansion although she never lived in it. During our chat, I learned that she toured her own paintings around the state to raise money to build the white Georgia marble fountain in front of the mansion. It was called the “Fountain of Progress.” Mrs. Sanders gave me some articles to read and suggested some other sources. I read everything I could find but to my surprise I found very little.
Whatever I learned I shared with our dedicated volunteers. They encouraged me to write it down. When I seriously approached the task, I realized I needed professional help to document the history accurately and record the stories told by the former occupants. That is when Dr. Catherine Lewis and Dr. Jennifer Dickey, authors and historians from Kennesaw State University, joined me on my project. Together, we interviewed members of all eight “first families,” many employees and associates. We compiled the information and filled this coffee table book with beautiful pictures by Christopher Oquendo.
Most people have driven past the mansion and wondered what it would be like to live within its walls. Memories of the Mansion can transport you there and allow you to live vicariously through its pages.
Memories of the Mansion can be purchased at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion for $40.00 by card, cash, or check made out to “Friends of the Mansion.” All proceeds from sales of the book will go to Friends of the Mansion, a nonprofit organization that raises money to maintain the mansion’s furnishings and artwork.
(Additionally, the 2015 Governor’s Mansion Christmas ornament (along with ornaments from previous years) are available at the mansion for $20.00. Free public tours will resume after the holidays in February and will continue to run Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Call (404) 261-1776 for reservations.)
Georgia’s Children’s Cabinets Starts the New School Year with a Focus on Parent Engagement
In the last issue of SJM, we shared information about the Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet’s focus on immunization during the month of July. Immunization awareness is just a mere fraction of the work that the Cabinet undertakes for the children of Georgia. For the month of September, the Cabinet has chosen to focus on parent engagement. How apropos? This focus is a great way to kick-off the 2013-2014 school year in Georgia.
The Cabinet provides support and resources in order to help promote parental engagement. “Parent Café is a great model for communities to engage parents. This is a forum to bring caregivers together to open dialogue about embedding protective factors in their family as well as in community programs.” explains Mrs. Deal. The Children’s Cabinet website (www.children.ga.gov) provides information on upcoming trainings and resources necessary to implement Parent Café in various areas of the state.
Mrs. Deal, a former educator and Co-Chair of the Cabinet, wholeheartedly believes in the positive impact of parental engagement as it relates to education. “As a teacher, I enjoyed meeting the parents and learning about their willingness to be involved with the school and their support of their child. It helps to put a face with a name when you are making phone calls or setting up appointments. I think it is important for parents to attend and to be active in school organizations, booster clubs and to volunteer their skills when needed,” she said.
The Children’s Cabinet recognizes the importance of parental engagement in every area of a child’s life. “Parent engagement is the key to success for our youth. We want parents and care givers to have their own conversations about how to keep their families strong. Whether we engage them in recovery treatment, prevention activities, or education, our communities that utilize parental involvement have stronger outcomes for children,” says Mrs. Deal.
Parent engagement is not just beneficial for individual families; it also affects our communities. Schools depend on the support of parents for the needs of the classroom, the community environment and the successful education of its students. Similarly, Georgia’s workforce depends on students who obtain the best education possible.
Parent engagement plays an integral role in a child’s future. Parents serve as role models who help children to dream of who they would like to be. The more educated and skilled children become, the more opportunity they have to impact their future. Georgia’s schools produce the state’s workforce; and the better prepared our students are for jobs, the greater their impact will be on the future of our state.
Ms. Deal also reflects on her personal experience of parenting her children. “As a parent, I felt it was important for me to be acquainted with the teachers of my children. I offered them my support. I wanted to be aware of ways I could assist at home to help my children be successful students. I welcomed their phone calls and notes. I followed up with conferences if I had questions or concerns. I believe the role of the parent is to support the child and the teacher and to help their relationship be effective.”
When asked about practical ways for parents to engage, Mrs. Deal replied: “Parents, please read to your children and help them with their math facts. Your interest in their education and their success at school will help them to feel loved and appreciated for who they are. It will build their confidence and allow them to be better students at school. The time spent developing a relationship with your child will encourage conversations at home and often enable issues to be solved before they become problems at school.”
In the age of technology, it is relatively easy to stay in communication with our children’s teachers. “Currently, many teachers use the internet to stay in contact with parents and provide the opportunity for them to know what topics are being studied, homework assignments, projects and other ways for them to be engaged with their student,” Mrs. Deal explains.
As citizens of Georgia, we should join in with the Cabinet by engaging in our children’s school community. Our engagement in our children’s education is our contribution to the future success of our children and the state of Georgia.
My personal view of a person with a servant’s heart is someone who is innately kind and thoughtful; a person who notices simple needs and moves to help; one who is unbiased regarding those who need assistance and is moved to assist without expectation of recognition or reward; one whose heart reaches out to others and the recipients feel and appreciate the genuineness of the effort. A person with a servant’s heart reacts selflessly for the good of others with acts of kindness, such as opening a door or actively planning an event to fulfill an observed need.
The recent snowstorm in metro Atlanta revealed many acts of kindness from people with servant’s hearts. From managers of stores who opened their doors to people who were stranded, offering warmth, restrooms and often food, to a man who while trying to untangle cars blocking passage discovered a man with a fragile medical condition. He and others gave assistance and saved a life. Many people spoke of the kindness of strangers who offered assistance in myriad ways and often names were not even exchanged. To me, they are the purest example of people with servant hearts. They come from all walks of life, but they rise to the occasion with the purest of motives and they give what they have to offer with a Servant’s Heart.
What is the Servant’s Heart Award?
It is an opportunity for communities to recognize young people whose quiet acts of kindness and concern on a daily basis favorably impact the lives of other people. “Recognition is important to elevate and energize youth who are committed to being an agent of change within their community. We want the state to be inspired by the power these young people have to make a difference and hope that it may motivate others to take action,” explains Katie Jo Ballard, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office for Children and Families.
We humans are great imitators. From early childhood we develop our patterns of behavior by observing people with whom we have contact and imitating them in word and deed. Our goal in honoring young people who are recommended by their county commissioners is to highlight outstanding service in the community which is voluntarily given in such a way that it is obviously from the heart. When the community acknowledges their efforts, we hope our children who are searching for role models will themselves imitate those good character traits. The goal of the Governor’s Office for Children and Families is to build stronger communities through strengthening our children and families. I believe that volunteerism and service will help us reach that goal.
First, I would like to personally thank all of you who supported my husband in his re-election bid because you have made it possible for me to continue my work. Thank you for putting your trust in us. Because of your loving and compassionate hearts, we are grateful to you, and we will try to serve you and all the people of Georgia with a Servant’s Heart.
My personal view of a person with a servant’s heart is someone who is innately kind and thoughtful; a person who notices simple needs and moves to help; one who is unbiased regarding those who need assistance and is moved to assist without expectation of recognition or reward; one whose heart reaches out to others and the recipients feel and appreciate the genuineness of the effort. A person with a servant’s heart reacts selflessly for the good of others with acts of kindness.
Last year the Georgia Children’s Cabinet sought a way to promote the importance of service as well as recognize outstanding young people who selflessly contribute to bettering their community. County commissioners across the state were asked to nominate one youth from their county who exemplified a “Servant’s Heart” to be entered into the inaugural statewide competition for the Servant’s Heart Award. The Cabinet received twenty-one entries. They began new nonprofits, fed the poor, stood up for the innocent, and worked to be an agent of change within their communities. They are each truly incredible Georgians. Thank you, County commissioners for your 2014 nominees and we look forward to reading about your candidates for 2015.
Jarrett Brannen Cartee from Bulloch County was chosen as the first statewide First Lady’s Servant’s Heart Award winner. Jarrett helped his community in many ways including serving Thanksgiving meals to the needy, volunteering at the Bulloch County Special Olympics, and working fundraisers to help pay for other’s traumatic medical expenses, to name a few deeds.
This year the Children’s Cabinet decided to add another Servant’s Heart award by selecting state employees who go above and beyond expectations in working with children and families. Our goal in honoring these employees is to highlight outstanding service in government that is voluntarily given in such a way that it is obviously from the heart. The agency heads that sit on the Executive Children’s Cabinet will nominate these outstanding adults.
Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet consists of all state agency heads that work with child populations and select community, philanthropic, education and business stakeholders. The Cabinet collaborates to make recommendations on improving delivery of services to children, increasing effectiveness of child welfare and juvenile justice resources, and ensuring that children are equipped to be successful in school.
The mission of both the Governor’s Office for Children and Families and the Children’s Cabinet is to build stronger communities through strengthening our children and families. I believe that volunteerism and service will help us reach that goal.
I have traveled across the state and have seen the generosity of Georgians firsthand. This generosity shows the true character of our citizens. They come from all walks of life, but they selflessly serve others with acts of kindness.
You make Nathan and me proud to be Georgians. We will work hard to serve your needs.
As some of you may know, the Georgia Children’s Cabinet and I are recognizing June as Parent Engagement Month. In kicking off the month with an important cause for our children, we held a SPLASH GA water safety event on Monday, June 16.
With the help of Georgia Power, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Natural Resources, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the event featured water safety demonstrations, resources, and fun prizes while an ice-cream truck handed out ice-creams to attendees.
The Georgia Children’s Cabinet formed the Water Safety Subcommittee to address water safety needs facing our state. The Child Fatality Review shows that there were 129 child drowning deaths from 2009 to 2012, with an average of 32 per year in Georgia.
To help spread awareness and prevention, the Subcommittee created SPLASH GA as an all‐encompassing water safety campaign message. There is nothing more important and dear to my heart than the safety of our children, and it is my hope that both Parent Engagement Month and SPLASH GA will spread awareness to parents and families beyond the month of June and for years to come.
While you enjoy the summer, please remember to teach your children about SPLASH and water safety. If each family adopts and shares the techniques below, we believe Georgia will be one step closer to a safer state for its children and families.
S upervision
P revention
L ook before you leap
A rms‐length
S wim Lessons
H ave a water safety plan
Supervision:
There should always be an adult present when a child is around water, and they must have their eyes on the child at all times.
Prevention:
Fence and gates around pools are some of many barriers that keep children away from the water. Drain covers can prevent entrapment in pool and hot tub drains and broken or loose covers should be fixed immediately.
Look before you leap:
Always be aware of your surroundings. Before jumping into any bodies of water, especially lakes and rivers, be careful of how deep it is. Certain spots can be deeper than they look.
Arms‐length (Safe rescue):
Adults should be arms‐length to children in water, especially while bathing, to ensure safe rescue. If a child is in danger, pool safety tools should be close by at all times such as a life hook and life float. Do not jump into the water if you cannot swim.
Swim Lessons:
Learning how to swim with swimming lessons can prevent a lot of water related accidents. Find classes in your community or your local Red Cross or YMCA.
Have a water safety plan:
A family can work together to come up with their own water safety plan so everyone will know what to do in case an emergency arises. Create one with your family today!
Find more information at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/splashga
Twitter: www.twitter.com/splashga
Instagram: @SPLASHgeorgia
Nearly every week, I bring the Read Across Georgia initiative to schools around the state. Recently, I helped celebrate Teach for America Week by reading to Pre-K and kindergarten students at Brookview and Hamilton E. Holmes elementary schools in East Point and Kipp Strive Primary in Atlanta.
The students were quiet and orderly, eagerly awaiting a story. As I read “Who I’d Like to Be” by Elizabeth Brown, I encouraged them to interact, to ask questions, to think beyond the book and relate the story to their experiences. They responded enthusiastically, already in love with reading. That excitement about learning springs from the efforts of dedicated teachers committed to helping students develop the skills necessary to read independently.
Teach for America brings this expertise to schools across the state and nation. In the metro Atlanta region alone, Teach for America sponsors 260 teachers who challenge young Georgians to strive for excellence.
Those involved with Teach for America commit to serve in underserved areas, both rural and urban. They make a difference in the lives of children who are eager to learn but might not receive the educational support at home needed to excel in the classroom. Since 1991, Teach for America has recruited, trained and supported top college graduates and professionals to commit to teach in our schools for two years, alongside other dedicated educators, and become lifelong leaders in the movement to expand educational opportunity.
Teach for America Week is a good time to focus on a goal that my husband, Gov. Nathan Deal, and I share: having every third-grader reading on grade level. Prior to third grade, students are learning the basics of how to read. After third grade they are reading to learn and they will need to be skilled readers to extract the information necessary to succeed in higher grades.
Reading can be fun, but it also requires hard work. The preparation for reading begins with conversations and exposure to language while children are babies. The more words they learn, the more prepared they will be to learn to read. The more books read to them, the greater their vocabulary.
Sadly, those opportunities are not readily accessible to every child growing up in Georgia. That puts the burden on communities and schools to break the cycle of illiteracy. Education is the great equalizer, and we as caring people of Georgia and America must supplement what great teachers provide in classrooms with educational support outside of schools.
Our children need people to read to them and ask thought-provoking questions. They need people to listen to them read, help them sound out words and make sense of the sentences. This requires lots of patience and a commitment of time. Not every child has parents who are capable, willing or able to listen and help. Teachers need the support of caregivers and mentors to assist students with practice.
Our children are our most valuable asset. We want them to dream big and work toward those goals. Regardless of students’ economic backgrounds, they can excel academically and become “who they would like to be” if we teach them how to read at a high level. They will have the confidence to own their own businesses, lead our state or
nation in the political arena, or become teachers who change lives and help generations of children rise above all expectations.
Alongside the thousands of great teachers who spend an entire career in the classroom, Teach for America is a critical partner in our community’s effort to realize this vision. You can be too.
The holidays of the fall and winter are the seasons of the heart. Thanksgiving is when we remember our blessings and give thanks from our hearts. We then enter the time of Christmas when we bestow gifts on others to show our love and appreciation for them.
This year Nathan and I especially want to thank you, the people, who have given and continue to give unselfishly of your talents, time and money. Because of your loving and compassionate hearts, we are grateful to you.
Nathan and I want to celebrate the many wonderful organizations that strive to achieve great accomplishments and improvements for Georgia and her people. To highlight volunteerism, community involvement and outreach, each room focuses on Health, Human Services, the Arts, Literacy, Service Organizations and Wildlife and Environment.
We hope you will stop by to visit us this season. This home belongs to all Georgians. We hope you will enjoy seeing our beautiful decorations and examples of the many organizations that give with servant hearts.
Join us this Sunday, December 4 at 6 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion for the Annual Tree Lighting ceremony, kicking off our holiday tours and musical performances that continue until Wednesday, December 16. This celebration is free of charge and open to the public. The Georgia Governor’s Mansion is an official collection site for both the Salvation Army Red Kettle and Toys for Tots, a program sponsored by the United States Marine Corp. If you can’t make it on Sunday, you can always drop off your toys and take a free tour of the Mansion throughout December.
Nathan and I hope that you will be inspired to give with a servant’s heart this holiday season and throughout the New Year.
The Georgia Children’s Cabinet is partnering with me to recognize the talents of youth writers and emphasize writing skills as a tool for creative expression. The Cabinet consists of state agency leaders as well as community partners who work to align policy and create targeted communications to mobilize all Georgians to see that our children have an opportunity to thrive. Each month the Cabinet chooses to highlight a different topic affecting our youth. “The youth writers initiative will empower our children and give an authentic youth voice to our work,” said Katie Jo Ballard, co-chair of the Cabinet.
In concert with the Cabinet’s upcoming highlights, a youth will be selected to showcase his or her work. We are partnering with Commissioner Avery Niles of the Department of Juvenile Justice, Major General James Butterworth of the Georgia National Guard, and Commissioner Keith Horton of the Department of Human Services. Each of these state agencies has unique programs to equip young people with the tools to be successful. By engaging in the Youth Writers Initiative, the participants will be recognized for their writing skills. The finalist whose work is selected will represent their respective agency and have the opportunity to interview their leader. Their composition will be featured online.
Georgia’s Children are our most valuable asset. We want them to dream big and work toward reaching their goals. Learning to write creatively and effectively is an important skill for achieving future success.