Looking for a Free Day out?

If you are looking for some free entertainment, come out and support Reconnecting Families at 129 & Counting's free benefit concert on June 3rd! 129 & Counting is a barbershop quartet composed of four fantastic gentlemen. They got the number 129 by combining all the years these four men have been members of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The concert will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Sunday the 3rd at 3pm. The quartet will be putting on their show for free and donations towards Reconnecting Families can be made at the concert! You will not want to miss 129 & Counting's fun show, so make sure you come out on June 3rd to see us!

Another Award Winner!

Reconnecting Families is thrilled to say that we have another individual on our Board who has recently been recognized throughout the community! Bert Reeves, the winner of the 2012 Ross Adams Younger Lawyer Award by the Cobb County Bar Association, has always been a tremendous help and supporter of Reconnecting Families. Bert is a fun, energetic, hard working, and dedicated individual. Bert is a proud alumni of Georgia Tech and is an attorney at Turner, Bachman, & Garrett LLC. Bert is loved and admired throughout Cobb County; Judge Juanita Stedman stated, "Bert is amazing and truly personifies who Ross Adams was. He tirelessly gives of himself to RF , to Cobb Youth Leadership and so much others in our community." We are so proud of you Bert and thank you for all you have contributed to Reconnecting Families! Congratulations on you're award, you deserve it!

Junior League of Marietta Grant

Reconnecting Families is proud to say we have been selected as the Community Partner for the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta! The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action of trained volunteers. Their purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. With this being said, the Junior League will provide a monetary grant of $2,500 to our agency for GED Programs and the Community Closet. Reconnecting Families will also have volunteers from the Junior League! We are excited to be apart of such an amazing organization and are humbled to have been chosen as a partner for the Junior League! We look forward to our partnership in 2012-2013!

We Have a Winner!

We are proud to say that the 27th Annual Cobb County United Way Heart In Hand individual winner was one of Reconnecting Families' own, Debbie Ponder! Debbie was the winner of the United Way in Cobb County Volunteer of the Year award! United Way engages all segments of our community to drive sustainable change in education, income, health and homelessness while continuing to address urgent and basic human care. The hard work, dedication, and time Debbie Ponder has devoted to Reconnecting Families definitely describes all of that. We are overjoyed to see such an amazing individual get recognized who has gone above and beyond to support Reconnecting Families. Reconnecting Families also got a check for $250! Congrats Debbie and thank you for being such a great attribute to Reconnecting Families!

NADCP Declared as "Champion" Non-Profit Organization

Just recently a new book called "How Information Matters: Networks and Public Policy Innovation" was published. The author, Auburn University professor Kathleen Hale, states that the NADCP (National Association of Drug Court Professionals) is a prime example of how non-profit organizations can manage success in both public and private partnerships to create substantial change and innovation. Hale outlines how the NADCP partners with other interested organizations, creates a space for drug court professionals to interact and collaborate, and provides needed information and technical assistance for and on behalf of federal, state and local governments. This allows the NADCP to be in the middle of an information network, which bridges all three groups of the public, private, and non-profits to make shifts in the criminal justice reforms. The NADCP is an amazing organization that is devoted towards making a difference in our world today and it's always a great thing to see them get recognized! Let's continue to support this great cause!

To read the full article visit http://www.nadcp.org/node/832

Why Are Drug Courts Important?

For those of you who are still not totally and completely sold on the fact that drug courts are incredible and that your money is definitely going towards a phenomenal cause, then this article is for you. The Washington Times' article gives readers four reasons "why these courts must be at the center of any criminal justice reform process."

"First, and most importantly, drug courts are the nation’s most effective strategy in reducing recidivism - especially among drug-addicted, nonviolent offenders with long criminal histories. By closely supervising participants and keeping them in treatment long enough to transform into productive members of their community, drug courts significantly reduce the use of jails and prisons, improve employment and family functioning, and save money by reducing crime, health care utilization and victim compensation. The courts, furthermore, reunite broken families, intervene with juveniles on the brink of a debilitating life of addiction and crime, and stop repeat drunk drivers.

Second, the data backing up the drug courts is no longer up for debate. The rapid growth of drug courts in the past two decades has inspired researchers to pay attention. More research has been published on the effects of the courts than on virtually all other criminal justice programs combined. The facts are now known: Drug courts reduce crime by up to 50 percent and have been found to save up to $13,000 for every individual they serve. We also now know that 75 percent of those who complete drug court are never arrested again, an impressive track record for the courts.

Third, drug courts stepped up to serve the growing number of veterans who face charges stemming from substance abuse to mental health issues. By connecting our veterans to the benefits and treatment they earned through military service, drug courts and veterans treatment courts ensure that veterans do not fall through the cracks when they become involved with our criminal justice system. It also provides a critical stopgap to prevent future veteran homelessness.

Fourth, drug courts are being successfully rolled out across the country. In our home state of California, for example, the courts are courageously combating the scourge of methamphetamine and prescription-drug abuse. This same success is being replicated across the country, from rural towns to our largest cities. Drug courts now number more than 2,400 and are located in every U.S. state. They represent truly nonpartisan drug policy."

To read The Washington Times full article, visit http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/28/drug-courts-crucial-to-criminal-justice-reform/

Easter Egg Hunt!

Marietta First Baptist Church recently hosted the 4^th Annual Reconnecting Families Easter Egg Hunt at Laurel Park in Marietta. Over 100 children participated in the event. Our generous hosts provided enough eggs for the kids to hunt for eggs filled with candy not once, but twice! They also provided lunch for the families. Additionally, the Easter bunny was on hand to take pictures with all the children.  We are already all looking forward to next year's Easter Egg Hunt!

“This is a great event that I look forward to every year,” said Brin Black, Reconnecting Families Director. “Seeing our families enjoy a fun day together is always special.”