For Nancy Jo Cleveland and Andrea Cooke, it’s more than just spreading awareness. When it comes to mental health wellness, it’s about taking action and getting results.
The two women are leaders in Mayor Lester Miller’s Macon Mental Health Matters initiative. Mayor Miller announced the initiative in February 2021 as a way to support the well-being of people in our community by bringing support and services into the neighborhoods, rather than expecting people to seek them out.
On May 8, 2021, the group took help directly to people at Filmore Thomas Park with the first ever mental health pop-up gym. It included a Zen tea garden, yoga, and a free therapy session. The goal was to show our community there are many other ways you can get to better health.
“This is a way to bridge the gap of what mental wellness is,” says Andrea Cook with the Southern Center for Choice Theory. “Everyone won’t seek mental health care in the traditional sense, where they talk to a therapist.”
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Nancy Jo Cleveland speaking to guests. |
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Guests doing yoga at Filmore Thomas Park. |
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Cleveland, Executive Director of Macon Headspace, says the idea started off small with just one event in mind.
“Two years later, it went from one event to 24,” said Cleveland.
The group plans to host two pop-up gyms a month for the rest of the year in different neighborhoods. They are using data to figure out which neighborhoods could benefit the most from these events.
“The initiative is to level the playing field,” said Cooke. “And to show everybody that every individual in Macon-Bibb matters.”
The next events are Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Mattie Hubbard Jones Park and Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Booker T. Washington/Linear Park.
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On Friday, May 7, dozens of people gathered at the South Bibb Recreation Center to remember and honor Lance Corporal Cary Becham. Mayor Lester Miller and Commissioners were on hand to officially dedicate a portion of Sardis Church Road Extension to him. |
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Cary Becham served in the Vietnam War as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, and he earned a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” two Purple Hearts, and a Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V,” as well as many other awards for his distinguished and heroic service. In 1969, Georgia Governor Lester Maddox appointed LCpl Becham as a Lieutenant Colonel Aide de Camp of the Governor’s staff in honor of his distinguished and heroic military service, and in 1970, Mayor Ronnie Thompson presented him with a key to the City of Macon.
LCpl Becham’s family, friends, and other veterans took part in the special tribute. Mayor Miller and Commissioner Bill Howell took the podium to share their sentiments, before the unveiling of the road sign.
“We always hear ‘All gave some. Some gave all.’ I just want to point out that Cary gave more than most,” said Commissioner Howell, as he remembered LCpl and their time working together at the post office.
“We can’t ever forget our men and women who made so many sacrifices to give us the freedom we have today,” said Mayor Miller. “I travel this road all the time, and it’s going to be on my heart and mind every time.”
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LCpl Becham’s two sons, Steven Becham and Jody Epps, shared some fond memories of their dad.
“My dad was my hero and is my hero,” said Becham. “As a kid, I thought he was superman.”
“I’m so glad that we’re here to honor him as what he meant to me, to all of you, to this community,” said Epps. “Every day, for the rest of our lives, long after we are gone, this road here is in his honor.”
After everyone spoke, guests crossed the street for the unveiling of the sign at the intersection of Sardis Church and Houston Roads.
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Four months ago, the doors for warmth and opportunities opened for so many in need in our community.
Mayor Lester Miller came up with the idea of providing a shelter for people who needed a warm place to sleep during cold winter nights after two men experiencing homeless died while sleeping outside in December 2020. On January 6, 2021, that idea turned into a reality when the doors of the former Brookdale Elementary School opened and it became the Brookdale Warming Center.
Since then, the Center has served more than 500 guests, providing more than just a place to sleep. The Center is the first step to getting people back on their feet. With help from the community and the Center, about 40 people have found permanent homes and 16 were able to afford bus tickets back to their families across the United States.
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The Center has also helped people get jobs, ID's, social security cards, benefits, and birth certificates.
"I credit our county government for letting us build this from scratch, the way that we think will work well,” said Brookdale Warming Center Director Steve Bell. “We also need to thank our community partners. There’s nothing we do on our own without our partners, whether it’s services, donations, connections, or volunteering. ”
The Warming Center is always in need of donations and volunteers.
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On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Commissioners visited Flint Equipment Co. and Yancey Bros., two existing industries in Macon-Bibb, industrial sites as part of a series of economic development and community tours.
“We want to give our Commissioners a first-hand look at what we can do to help our economic development and our existing businesses,” said Mayor Lester Miller.
Similar to the tour a couple of weeks ago, the Mayor and Commissioners got to see what our local industries are doing, how they work in the community, and learn about their current and future needs.
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They talked with the company leaders about what they are doing now and how they plan to hire more people with a wide variety backgrounds.
“These companies are primes examples of places you can go to and get on-the-job training, or with the training you already have, and make an incredible salary,” said Commissioner Elaine Lucas. “The sky is the limit.”
If you’d like to learn more about job opportunities, click here.
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This week, crews demolished ten more houses, putting us at 25 blighted and burned houses down and five more to go to reach Mayor Lester Miller’s goal of 30 in 30 days.
Crews had a busy start to the week with four houses taken down on Monday. They started at 924 Plant Street, then moved to 1055 Newberg Avenue, 665 Pineview Avenue, and then 769 Anderson Street. On Tuesday, crews began work at 1170 Buena Vista Avenue, which had three blighted structures on the property. They finished that demolition Friday.
Then Wednesday, crews knocked down houses at 1545 Rosecrest Avenue and 542 Central Avenue. Thursday, they tore down a house at 2711 Antioch Road.
"I love seeing all of the work being done. Especially, seeing the neighbors come out during these demolitions," said Mayor Miller. "They get excited to progress is being made, they know that people care about them, and they continue to build momentum."
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The blight fight is not over when the 30 in 30 initiative ends. The Code Enforcement Department already has several dozen more blighted houses being prepared for demolition. |
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Hungry after a float down the Ocmulgee River? Need a drink after a walk with the dog at Amerson River Park? There’s now a place for that!
A new concession stand opened Saturday, May 8, 2021 in Amerson River Park near the boat takeout ramp and Porter Pavilion. M & M Sandwich and Pastry, a new business on Vineville Avenue, is the first to try program. They will sell their products as George’s Snack Shack at the park, and will be open Friday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sandwiches and snacks will be prepared at the Vineville Avenue location and then taken to the concession stand.
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"It means a lot to me and our partners,” said M & M co-owner Marcel George. “It gives us the opportunity to give people a taste of our food and what we have to offer.”
“This is a win-win for our entire community, for the people that visit our park, and for our small businesses...this type of effort fits right in with Mayor Miller’s plan for Macon-Bibb that was based on what the community said it needed,” said OSBA Director Charise Stephens.
The concession stand is part of the Macon-Bibb County Office of Small Business Affairs’ (OSBA) incubator program which is designed to help small businesses with their marketing to get more exposure. OSBA is using an existing building at the park for this project, and each business will have about a year to use the space at Amerson. Part of that building will also be used as a Parks and Beautification Ranger's office.
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This week, Charise Stephens, Macon-Bibb County Office of Small Business Affairs Director, won the 2021 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) East Regional Champion of the Year for her efforts in empowering youths in our community.
SRTS empowers communities to make walking and biking to school a safe and routine activity once again. Stephens is the founder of U Create Macon, a youth cycling program, and even during the pandemic, she worked hard to make sure youths were aware of walking and biking to school, safely.
“My goal is to get people active, especially the youth,” said Stephens. “As I’m also on the Pedestrian Safety Review Board, I need to make sure kids are safe when they’re out and active. I’m the type of person that’s jumping out of the car, giving people a helmet and an armband.”
U Create Macon distributed more than 140 refurbished bikes to kids and completed maintenance on more than 100 additional bikes in three Macon-Bibb neighborhoods. Stephens thought of innovative ways to connect with kids from take-home camp kits and held events for them to get involved.
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Macon Volunteer Clinic accepting new patients |
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Macon Volunteer Clinic (MVC) is accepting new patients. The 18-year-old agency improves the productivity and health outcomes of Macon-Bibb County’s working adults, regardless of insurance or ability to pay, by providing primary care, dental and vision care, and medication assistance – at no cost - to individuals who qualify.
To be eligible for MVC’s services, individuals must reside in Bibb County, be between 18-64 years of age, work, be uninsured, and earn at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
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Household Size Annual Income
1-person: $25,760
2-person: $34,840
3-person: $43,920
4-person: $53,000
5-person: $62,080
6-person: $71,160
7-person: $80,240
8-person: $89,320
9+-person: Add $9,080 for each additional person
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Lake Tobesofkee, Recreation Department
hiring lifeguards
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The Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area (6600 Moseley Dixon Rd.) is looking to hire 10 lifeguards to fully staff all park beaches for the summer.
Claystone Park and Arrowhead Park will need lifeguards beginning Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 28, 2021) through Labor Day weekend (Monday, September 6, 2021). Lifeguards will work Monday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sandy Beach will also need lifeguards, but due to an extensive improvement project, it won’t officially open until later in the summer.
Interested applicants must be at least 16 years old and have 6 months to 3 years of experience directly related to Water Safety Instructor and CPR Certified. If applicants are not certified, Lake Tobesofkee will train and certify all hired applicants. Lifeguards will make $10.03 per hour.
For more information, click here.
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The Recreation Department is looking to hire lifeguards and camp activity leaders this summer. Public pools open for the summer beginning Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 29, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The full summer schedule begins on Tuesday, June 1 from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Recreation Department needs 33 lifeguards. To be a lifeguard, a person must be 18 years old, be a high school graduate or have GED, and have 6 months to 3-years experience directly related to Water Safety Instructor and CPR Certified. Lifeguards will make $10.03 per hour. For those interested in being a lifeguard that are NOT currently certified, the Recreation Department will train and certify all hired applicants.
For more information, click here.
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Health was the focus of two recent proclamations presented to community members. Mayor Lester Miller proclaimed May 2021 as ‘Mental Health Awareness’ Month, and the week of May 9 – 15, 2021 as ‘National Women’s Health Week.’
The Mental Health Awareness Proclamation was presented at the May 4 Commission meeting to a group of advocates for mental health in our community. District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas read the proclamation before posing for a photo with the whole group. The proclamation talks about how mental illness is real and prevalent in our nation, state, and local community. This month serves to educate and raise awareness about mental illnesses and the more than 18% of Americans who deal with them every day. Macon-Bibb is doing its part to help people through the new Macon Mental Health Matters initiative. Click here to learn more and get involved. Click here to read the full proclamation.
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The second proclamation was presented to local healthcare workers in honor of National Women’s Health Week. It’s observed every year beginning on Mother’s Day. The goal is to educate women on ways they can take care of their minds and bodies including exercise, self-care, getting enough sleep, managing stress, not smoking, and avoiding unhealthy habits while driving. You can read this proclamation here.
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The Hub is Macon-Bibb County's source of information for employees, residents, businesses, and partners. With this regular e-blast, the Office of Communications provides a consistent flow of information about the efforts and successes of the consolidated government and partners to strengthen Macon-Bibb as the Hub City of Middle Georgia.
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The Office of Communications manages Media Relations, MaconBibbTV, Customer Service, social media, visual services, and crisis communications for Macon-Bibb. Its goal is to provide people information about the consolidated government and partner organizations, and to give them the chance to provide feedback, ask questions, and request services.
The Office has earned multiple
recognitions for its efforts.
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Macon-Bibb County is the fourth largest city in Georgia. Created on January 1, 2014 after being approved by the voters, it is Georgia's newest consolidated government and serves about 155,000 residents and thousands more visitors.
Its governing body consists of 10 Commissioners, with the Mayor serving as its Chair and the Chief Executive Office of the administration.
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