MONDAY MEMO #80
- Jun 8
- 6 min read
Happy Monday, partners! This week we are highlighting a range of resources, including early childhood development resources, resources for families and couples, and professional development and funding opportunities. Before we dive in, here are a few reminders and highlights from the RG team:
RG Highlights
Youth Voice Matters to Resilient Georgia! Resilient Georgia is inviting young people ages 16–26 to share their perspectives on youth mental health in a peer-led, interactive virtual session. Participants will have the chance to speak up, connect with peers, and help shape statewide support for mental health. Sessions are on Zoom, limited to 10 participants each, and those who complete a session will receive a $50 gift card. Registration under 18 requires a guardian’s signature, and spots are first-come, first-served. Please share widely! Register here!
Our June Lunch & Learn is this Thursday, June 11 from 12-12:45PM featuring Whitney Griggs of Georgians for a Healthy Future and Sarah Phillips of The Carter Center. This session will provide a timely overview of mental health parity and its impact on behavioral health access in Georgia. To request a calendar invite and virtual link, contact Alex English at aenglish@resilientga.org.
During Pride Month, it's important to recognize the unique mental health experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides education, advocacy, and guidance tailored to LGBTQ+ mental health needs through its Pride initiative. Mental Health America offers a comprehensive collection of LGBTQ+ mental health resources, including information on identity, wellness, and finding affirming support. Tandem Psychology highlights the connection between Pride Month and mental health, exploring ways to foster self-acceptance, community connection, and emotional well-being. The Trevor Project features a wide range of mental health resources specifically designed for LGBTQ+ young people, including crisis support, educational tools, and guidance on navigating mental health challenges. We also encourage you to explore Resilient Georgia’s LGBTQ+ Resource Page, which features mental health resources, support services, and tools designed to promote resilience and well-being across Georgia’s LGBTQ+ communities. Please share!
Men's Mental Health Awareness Month Webinar: June is also Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network invites the community to a webinar on June 9th at 11AM featuring Kenneth “Sober Scooter” Reddick II, a mental health advocate and founder of the Brothers Brunch Foundation. This engaging session will focus on breaking stigma, sharing practical coping strategies, and building strong support systems, while offering a safe space to discuss the unique challenges men face. Register here!
Coalition Highlights
Resilient Northwest Metro: Cobb Collaborative is hosting a Capacity Catalyst
training on June 12 from 11:30 AM - 1PM focused on using Google Workspace and Google Gemini to strengthen nonprofit operations and organizational capacity. Part of the 2026 Nonprofit Capacity-Building Training Series, the workshop will explore practical ways nonprofits can use digital tools, AI integrations, and collaborative platforms to improve efficiency and support organizational goals. Attendees are encouraged to bring laptops or devices for hands-on learning and idea development.
Project REACH, a partner of the South Georgia Wellbeing Alliance, is hosting a Family Support & Education Night on June 23 from 6:00–7:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Valdosta. This free community event will offer education, resources, and encouragement for families navigating substance use and recovery, with a focus on understanding addiction, supporting loved ones, building healthy boundaries, and connecting to local services. Parents, caregivers, community members, and professionals are encouraged to attend and help strengthen the region’s behavioral health support network. Register here!
ACES and Early Childhood
Eghbalzad Developmental Laboratory - Emory University Oxford College Research Opportunity: Oxford College of Emory University is conducting an IRB-approved study exploring how children’s adverse experiences, including trauma and socioeconomic challenges, impact learning, language, and brain development. The study is open to children ages 6–12 and their caregivers,and includes a fun learning session along with a safe, noninvasive brain scan. Participating families can receive up to $100 and small gifts for their time. For inquiries, contact Eghbalzad.laboratory@gmail.com.
BECOME A CHANGEMAKER - GEEARS: This is a fantastic opportunity for partners from all settings—whether you’re part of an Early Childhood department at a university or technical college, a small business child development center, a Pre-K provider in a local school system, or a corporate child development center for employees. GEEARS is committed to supporting participation: if costs are a barrier, RG funds may be available to help, provided participants are actively engaged with their regional coalition. Email an RG representative to inquire about funding assistance. Don’t miss this chance to make an impact in your community!
Funding
The Home Depot Foundation Helps Revitalize “Shop Class” with Nationwide Grants: The Home Depot Foundation is offering Path to Pro Education Grants to help schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations strengthen skilled trades training programs. Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to modernize shop classrooms, improve training spaces, and purchase tools and equipment that support construction trades education and certification programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis nationwide, with funding aimed at expanding workforce development opportunities and addressing the growing shortage of skilled construction professionals. The grant opportunity is part of the Foundation’s broader Path to Pro initiative, which supports career pathways in the skilled trades and helps prepare the next generation of workers for high-demand construction careers. Apply here!
Florida Center for Early Childhood Launches Four-Year Grant: The Florida Center for
Early Childhood received a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to expand
infant and early childhood mental health services for children from birth through fifth grade
and their caregivers in rural DeSoto County, Florida. The initiative focuses on prevention and early intervention by integrating mental health support into home visiting programs, early learning centers, and pediatric settings, helping reduce barriers to care. Services include screenings, caregiver-child therapy, parent coaching, and referrals, offered in both English and Spanish. Wonderful to see this work catch on in our neighboring state!
Parents, Families, and Couples
Water Safety Tips for Families: Strong4Life shared this evidence-based resource on keeping kids safe around water, especially during summer. Drowning is a leading risk for young children, but it can be prevented with simple steps. Keep kids safe by staying within arm’s reach around water, installing barriers like four-sided pool fencing, enrolling children in swim lessons, using U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets, and learning CPR. Because drowning can happen quickly and quietly—even in small amounts of water—consistent supervision and preparation are key to saving lives.
2026 Parent Cafe Series: Join Silence the Shame for their upcoming June Parent Café, Summer Wellness: Balance, Routines, & Coping, on June 13 at noon. This session offers a supportive space for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and learn practical strategies to navigate changes in summer routines while maintaining balance and wellbeing. All parents are welcome, and participants are encouraged to share this opportunity with their networks. Register to attend!
Elevate Program for Couples: ELEVATE for Couples is a free, live online relationship education program from UGA designed for committed couples to strengthen their connection and build practical skills together. Through a 12-hour interactive workshop series, couples engage in activities with others while learning how to better manage stress, improve communication, and navigate differences in healthy ways—ultimately helping to “elevate” the quality of their relationship. Couples can earn up to $360 for completing the program! Upcoming sessions are available on Sundays (August 9–30, 4–8 PM) and Tuesdays/Thursdays (August 18–September 10, 6:30–8:30 PM), with registration now open.
Professional Development and Events
Connections Matter Trainer Gathering: The Connections Matter Gathering, taking place on June 10 at 12:00 PM, will explore how positive relationships can strengthen resilience, prevent childhood trauma, and support healing for individuals and communities. Participants will learn about the science behind connection, gain a deeper understanding of trauma and resilience, and discover practical ways to build supportive relationships that help children, families, and communities thrive.
Courage to Care for Youth-Serving Adults is a 2-hour virtual training session on June 18 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM designed for parents, caregivers, educators, community members, faith leaders, healthcare providers, and other adults who work with or care for children. Participants will learn practical strategies to help prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation, including recognizing warning signs, establishing protective boundaries and policies, fostering healthy relationships, communicating with children about bodies, boundaries, and consent, and responding appropriately to concerns. The training focuses on four key prevention strategies: creating safe environments, building healthy relationships, engaging in proactive communication, and taking immediate action. Register Now!
The Our Words Heal Campaign Launch is a community-centered event on Tuesday, June 9, from 9:30–11:30 AM in Atlanta, celebrating the launch of an initiative focused on trauma healing, health equity, and racial justice. The gathering will bring together community members, partners, and leaders to explore artwork, hear stories of healing and resilience, and connect around a shared commitment to building a healthier, more connected Atlanta community. Register here for free!
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!