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SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Welcome Fall
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September is my favorite month. I love fall and winter! But more importantly, it is the birth month of my sister, mother, brother-in-law, daughter, and grand daughter-in-law and myself! Can you say cake, cake, cake? It’s been a summer of meetings and new beginnings. Thankfully, I am seeing some of the “post Covid” spirit.
Things are changing very fast on many levels. We have had several staff changes as people continue on their life’s journeys. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for all of the hard work and efforts that has been put forth from GSPN staff over the years! We’re ALWAYS here to offer our love and support! ♥️
I hope you are all enjoying this cooler weather and thinking of the holidays that are near!
In the last couple of years I have witnessed many act of kindness by humanity. As well as people working harder than ever to help those in need and each other. This is the reason I wake up and do what I do everyday.
You all are the greatest!
Sue L. Smith Ed.D, MPH
CEO
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🎉 Celebrating 35 Years of GPSN:
A Legacy of Commitment and Community! 🎉
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It is with immense pride and gratitude that we announce GPSN’s 35th anniversary! For over three decades, GPSN has been steadfast in its mission to empower, uplift, and support our community. What began as a small initiative fueled by passion and a vision for change has grown into a powerful force for good, thanks to the dedication of our team, the resilience of those we serve, and the unwavering support of our incredible community.
How You Can Be a Part of Our 35th Anniversary Celebration
We invite you to join us in making this anniversary truly unforgettable by participating in our campaign. Your support can help us reach new heights and make an even bigger impact on the lives of those we serve. Here’s how you can get involved:
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Make a Donation: Visit GPSN DONATION LINK to donate today.
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Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and network.
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Volunteer: Consider giving your time and talents to support our programs.
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Partner with Us: If you’re part of an organization or business, explore opportunities to partner with us.
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We are excited to host the Certified Peer Specialist Training for CPS-Parent and CPS-Youth! | | | | |
Hi, I’m Isaiah! I have an Associate's degree in Visual Communication and Design and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Marketing. Recently, I became CPS-Y certified to support youth as a peer speciaist. As a macro-influencer and content creator, I’m dedicated to promoting healthy online habits and self-care. I focus on social media’s impact on mental health, especially the dopamine-driven cycles of instant gratification affecting Gen Z. My goal is to inspire balanced social media use, resilience, and self-affirmation beyond superficial metrics, transforming online experiences into sources of strength and well-being. | |
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Hello! I’m Tianna Bridges, but most people call me Tee Tee. I’m 26 and a proud mom of two, which keeps me busy and inspired. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s DEGREE in accounting with a focus on mental health, aiming to complete a bachelor’s degree as well. This reflects my passion for both financial expertise and understanding mental health issues.
As a Certified Peer Specialist for Youth, I’m dedicated to advocating for others, showing them that no matter how tough life gets, perseverance is key. My mission is to inspire and support people in overcoming obstacles and pursuing their dreams, making a positive impact along the way.
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Jeffery Bosch, a 22-year-old from Atlanta, has an inspiring story of resilience and transformation. Once homeless and searching for hope, his life changed when he met John Parker from GPSN, at a library. Seeing Jeffery’s potential, John introduced him to The House of Hope, where they formed a strong bond and crafted a plan for Jeffery’s future.
Determined to turn his life around, Jeffery enrolled in the Army, started boot camp in January, and proudly graduated in July. Now a member of the U.S. Army, Jeffery will serve in Hawaii for the next three years. His journey is a testament to hard work and perseverance, and we’re proud to have been part of his success. Jeffery Bosch embodies how determination and support can lead to extraordinary achievements!
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Help TFC license at least 20 homes this year. If you know anyone who can help children and families succeed please spread the word!
If Wednesdays do not work for your schedule, feel free to reach out to me directly to schedule a session that will meet your needs. -Latasha
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Open your heart and your home and become a foster hero today!
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
The first step necessary to become a foster care provider is to attend a 2hr. informational session.
GPSN’s TFC program offers weekly informational sessions for potential foster caregivers on Wednesdays via Zoom for the remainder of the year excluding Holidays.
During informational sessions potential caregivers learn the requirements necessary to become therapeutic foster care providers with GPSN.
CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM LINK
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We’re excited to share some big news and upcoming events that highlight our commitment to empowering youth!
Congratulations to Karalyta "Kay" Alford on earning her CPS-Y (Certified Peer Specialist for Youth) certification! 🎉 This achievement reflects Kay’s dedication to helping young people, and we’re proud of her accomplishment. Her new role will allow us to offer even more personalized support to the youth we serve.
In September, we’ll host a Spoken Word event in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. This event will provide a platform for creative expression and raise awareness about suicide prevention, featuring powerful performances that inspire hope and spark important conversations. We invite everyone to join us for this meaningful event as we unite to combat this critical issue.
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We are launching a new outreach initiative called "Youth Have Crisis Too!" through Youth Move Fulton to highlight the unique crises young people face. This campaign will focus on increasing understanding and improving access to support services for youth in need, featuring activities and resources to engage and inform our community.
We’re excited about these developments and the opportunities they bring to further our mission. Your support is essential as we strive to make a difference in young people's lives. Stay tuned for more details, and thank you for being a valued part of our journey!
And even more excitingly, our peer Tianna “TeeTee” recently welcomed a new addition to her family—Congratulations on the baby!
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Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN) conducts weekly Statewide Parent Education and Support Group meetings aimed at providing a nurturing and informative environment for parents and other guests.
Please join us every Tuesday at 2:00 PM
via Zoom.
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For more information, email Lisa (link below). | | | | |
GPSN Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national origin disability, veterans statue, or any characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. | | | | |
 | In 2021, approximately 3.2 million or about 6.8 percent of people between the ages of 14 and 24 were living with a physical or mental disability. Although data on young people with disabilities are limited, recent evidence highlights the increased risk in this population for a host of health and other challenges, including higher rates of mental disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs) Even so, young people with disabilities are less likely than young people without disabilities to receive prevention and treatment services for substance use. Developing new prevention strategies and tailoring existing prevention education and tools to reduce potential substance use among young adults with disabilities can help support a healthy trajectory for this population during a period of transition. This Advisory highlights the need for primary substance use prevention programs for young adults ages 18 to 25 with disabilities, and it provides guidance on designing and tailoring these programs to meet the needs of this population. It also describes factors that may affect the delivery of prevention services for young adults with disabilities. This Advisory does not aim to provide comprehensive information about how to address the needs of every type of disability. Rather, it aims to encourage substance use prevention staff to consider the unique needs and perspectives that young adults with disabilities may bring to their programs. | | | | |
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month | |  |
As we step into September, a month dedicated to both Suicide Prevention and Recovery, we recognize the profound importance of these issues in the lives of children, youth, and young adults across our nation. At NTTAC, we are deeply committed to uplifting these critical topics each week this month, providing you with valuable resources, information, and support to help make a difference in our communities. | | | | | |
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SAMHSA’s First Annual 988 Day:
September 8! (9/8)
Sunday, September 8th is the inaugural "988 Day!" Join the nationwide movement in promoting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline! Find out more information about 988 Day and how you can get involved!
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What We're Up To
In Georgia, the number of children aged 0-17 who visited emergency rooms related to suicide more than doubled between 2008 and 2022. (Source: Ga Dept. of Public Health) With suicide impacting young people at concerning rates, talking openly about it can save lives. This month, advocates, survivors, organizations, and community members are raising awareness about suicide prevention. Free Your Feels is committed to fostering open dialogues and eliminating the stigma around conversations about suicide.
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See You There!
We’re super excited to bring Free Your Feels to Athens, GA this October! We've teamed up with the Clarke County School District to host a Free Your Feels Teen Summit, and we can’t wait to meet all the amazing teens in Clarke County! Stay tuned—registration and more details are coming soon. Be sure to keep an eye on our social media and the next newsletter for all the updates!
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