MONDAY MEMO #51
- Resilient Georgia
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to your weekly Monday Memo. As we settle into the fall season—a time for reflection, renewal, and growth—this week’s edition highlights education resources, funding and professional development, as well as an opportunity to acquire interns and fellows with the PIN program. Before we dive in, here are some reminders and highlights from the RG Team:
RG Highlights
October’s Power of Healing Blog features The Yellow Elephant Ministries, celebrating 10 years of hope and healing. Founded by Michelle Cope after losing her best friend to suicide, a simple yellow elephant drawing has grown into a statewide movement of connection and compassion.
Thank you to everyone who joined our October Lunch and Learn! Courtnee King and Ashlie Oliver from the Georgia Health Policy Center shared an insightful overview of Mindworks Georgia and House Bill 268, Georgia’s legislation focused on school safety, school climate, and student wellbeing. The discussion highlighted how the state is strengthening student mental health and school safety efforts following last year’s tragic event at Apalachee High School. Access the recording, slides, and please take a moment to complete our October Lunch and Learn Survey to share your feedback.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is celebrating its 100th anniversary by redefining the phrase “take a hike”—turning it into an invitation to reset and reconnect with nature. The campaign highlights hiking as a simple, accessible way to boost mental and physical wellbeing. Since fall is in full force and temperatures are cooling, the RG team encourages you to get some fresh air and “take a hike!” for your health and wellbeing. Explore scenic routes and outdoor adventures through Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites or discover National Parks in Georgia.
NEW! Regional Coalition Microsite: We’re excited to announce the launch of the Resilient Georgia Regional Coalition website! The site now features a coalition leader login portal with access to internal resources, coalition building videos, and a searchable Monday Memo Archive to easily find past opportunities. Explore the new site and please share widely with your networks!
Coalition Spotlight
Cobb Collaborative: We’re thrilled to share that our partnership with the Cobb Collaborative is expanding into Douglas County! This growth marks an exciting new chapter in our collective work to strengthen community connections and support mental health and resilience across the region. The coalition is joining Wellstar Douglas Hospital for the upcoming Women’s Health Showcase on October 28th from 6-8PM (Zoom option available) hosted by the Women of Wellstar Douglas Leadership Team.
Resilient Coastal Georgia: Over 1,600 people gathered at Daffin Park for the fourth annual Peace in the Park, hosted by the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, a Resilient Coastal Georgia partner. The event fostered unity and connection through performances, conversation circles, and a human peace sign. Congratulations to Molly Lieberman, Executive Director of Loop It Up Savannah and coalition lead for Resilient Coastal Georgia, who was honored with the Champion for Youth Peacebuilder Award for her dedication to empowering young people and strengthening community ties.
Education
Rooted in Rural, Growing Stronger Together: Rural Education and Innovation Fall Summits: The Office of Rural Education and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education are hosting these two Fall Summits on November 4th and November 13th in Tifton and Helen, Georgia. These events will bring together leaders from all of Georgia’s rural school districts and will cover topics on college and career readiness, special education, and more. The fee for attendance is $50.00 and the summit will run from 7:30 AM-3:30 PM. Learn more and register here.
Emergency Preparedness
Join the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities & Older Adults (GEPC) The GEPC invites organizations to join its statewide effort to promote inclusive, equitable, and accessible emergency preparedness for older adults and folks with disabilities. The coalition brings together partners to share resources, strategies, and best practices that enhance readiness for individuals with disabilities and older adults. The next virtual coalition meeting will be held on November 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Participation is free and open to all interested organizations. Register here.
Funding
Proposals for Impact Investing Strategy Consultant : The R.Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation is now accepting proposals due October 31st for impact investing strategy consulting. They are looking for firms or individuals who have experience in advising private foundation on integrated grant making and investment strategies, leading educational workshops, and more. Learn more about eligibility criteria and submission instructions here.
Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Grant Program: This is an opportunity for State educational agencies and local educational agencies to apply for grants related to school-based mental health services providers. Applications are due October 29th, learn more here. Reminder! Resilient Georgia is partnering with Teresa Raetz, founder of Transcend Advisory Group, to provide grant writing support to coalitions at no cost. Support is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If your coalition is interested, please contact Teresa directly at traetz@transcendadvisorygroup.com.
Nearly 10,000 students to benefit from $50M donation to Atlanta HBCUs | AP News Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation: The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has established a 10-year scholarship investment for $50 million to support students at four of Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This funding opportunity will provide gap scholarships to students in order to ease financial barriers and increase the number of students graduating. Read more here.
Early Literacy Alignment Mini Grant: Georgia DECAL: The fourth round of the Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grant is now open, offering up to $5,000 over six months to support early literacy through professional development for early childhood educators. This competitive grant, led by the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, aims to strengthen partnerships between public elementary schools and local childcare providers to align literacy practices and support smoother transitions for rising pre-K and kindergarten students. Applications are due October 31, 2025, with implementation running from November 2025 to May 2026. Eligible applicants include principals or assistant principals partnering with at least one Quality Rated child care provider. Check out the RFP here!
Interns and Fellows
Host PIN Interns or Fellows: The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) is inviting organizations to host PIN Summer Interns (PSI) or PIN Year-Long Fellows (PYF) for 2026. These programs connect mission-driven organizations with talented students and professionals to advance innovative projects in areas like data, technology, and community impact. Host sites for the PIN Summer Internship will welcome two full-time interns for 12 weeks (May 11 – July 31, 2026), while PIN Fellows complete two six-month rotations in partnership with public, private, and nonprofit entities. Both opportunities help organizations expand capacity, bring fresh perspectives, and contribute to innovation across Georgia. Apply here by November 1 to become a host site or fellowship employer.
Professional Development and Events
2026 System of Care Academy Call for Workshop Proposals: The Georgia Department of Behavioral health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Children, Young Adults, and Families with the Georgia Interagency Directors Team is searching for workshop proposals for the 19th annual Georgia system of Care Academy (SOCA) conference. The planning committee is seeking proposals that align with clinical excellence, system innovation, and professional development. The submission deadline is October 31st, learn more and apply here.
Workshop: From Numbers to Narrative: Framing Data for Understanding: The Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory is hosting a workshop, “From Numbers to Narrative: Framing Data for Understanding,” led by Dr. Lynn Davey, President of Davey Strategies and expert in communications and message framing. This event is virtual from 12-1:30 PM on October 29th. Register here.