October 21, 2015

In This Issue:
The Center for Children & Young Adults (CCYA) is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment with comprehensive services for homeless youth and young adults who have been abused, abandoned, neglected, or are at risk.
The kindness and generosity of individuals and organizations continue to make a difference in the lives of the kids we serve. 

Thanks to those who gave in
September 2015:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cannon    
Una Nyhan       
Sherry Shellman             
Cobb Master Gardeners
HealthQuest Chiropractic
Jennifer Ayers-Hopper              
IBM Employee Services
Gerald and Barbara Dyck            
United Way Suncoast
Brenda Rice      
Sandra Penton
Mark Steele     
Robert Griffin 
Eric Gilliam        
Penny & George Whiteaker      
Larry and Catherine Anderson     
David & Molly Banko    
David & Mary Lou Shannonhouse   Violet Fire Enterprises Inc.
Marsha Brenner Fine Art Photography
Karen & Martin Slack    
SunTrust United Way Campaign
United Way of Midland County
United Way of Metro Atlanta
United Way of Greater Atlanta
Paycom COBRA
Bank of America
AT&T
IBM Employee Services
Pool Shells By Phil Sanders, Inc.
Carmax Foundation
Truist
Kroger
United Way of Greater Atlanta
Home Depot
Shellee Spagnoletto - Circle for Children
Steve Yarish
Karen Slack
Georgia Gives Day, 
Thursday, November 12!
GA Gives Day
is the largest giving day in Georgia! We are asking our donors, supporters and volunteers to help us spread the word! We need CCYA champions to help us!  A little goes a long way when everyone gives to their favorite non- profit!

If you are not familiar, November 12th is GA Gives Day! It is a flash mob of giving in a 24 hour period! Although GA Gives Day is getting more awareness than ever before, many still do not know about it. This is where YOU come in!

Three easy steps on November 12th
1)  Visit GAgivesday.org
2)  Type The Center for Children and Young Adults in the search bar (spell "and" do not use the & sign)
3) Click on Donate Now

Here are some ways to engage your friends, family and co-workers. Post information about GA Gives Day on your social media
  • Send an email challenging your co-workers, family and/or friends to give up the money they would spend on coffee and make a donation to CCYA through GA Gives! You could do the same with giving up lunch or dinner out. Stay home and play board games with your family instead of going to the movies, etc.
  • Simply forward this email to your contacts
  • Write or Video a suggestive post on your social media accounts to challenge your contacts
  • Get creative J

Whether it is $10 or $10,000 every bit adds up! And every dollar makes a difference!
A Bass Fishing Enthusiast 
with a Big Heart 

Jennifer Spell (aka Bayou Betty) is a bass fishing enthusiast who shares her love of fishing with other anglers as well as those who have never caught a fish in their life. After living a fast paced life in New York City, she found herself needing an escape and distraction from everyday life. Although Jennifer had been an angler all her life, she decided to take a sabbatical and get in touch with her old bass fishing roots. Surprisingly enough this took her to a new level. Somehow everything she had been struggling with faded and a sense of relaxation came over her. According to her, she had found her zen harmony with the fish.

Since that day in 2010, she has shared her love of fishing with others through her FREE Bayou Betty fishing tournaments at several lakes around Georgia. This year her Bayou Betty tournament on October 3 rd was to benefit
The Center for Children & Young Adults and
raised nearly $4,000!

Pictured with Bayou Betty are the first place winners of the tournament, Frank and Bryan Morris. A total weight in fish of 18.41lbs. We are so grateful for volunteers and partneships like this one! If you would like to follow Bayou Betty please go to facebook.com/bayoubetty.
Help us Make a Merry 
Christmas for CCYA Youth
The holidays can be a very difficult time for our youth at CCYA. There are constant reminders that the holidays are around the corner on the radio and television, in the stores and of course in speaking to their classmates at school.  Thoughts of not being with their families can take a toll on their emotions and some holiday distractions can really help with feelings of sadness. 
Be an Angel

Sponsor a youth's Wish List for the holidays. We serve boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 20 living on campus and young adults who have graduated into self-sufficiency (college dorm or apartment ages 18-23 living off campus).

We ask that all gifts are delivered unwrapped on or before Monday, December 14th to insure our Santa Workshop elves have ample time to sort and wrap before the big day!

To receive one of our kids lists, please contact Andrea Watkins at 770-333-9447 x116 or awatkins@ccyakids.org
Santa's Workshop  

Come wrap gifts for all of the kids to open on Christmas morning!

Dates: Dec 15, 16, 17 & 18

Two shifts: 10:00am - 12noon OR 2:00-4:00pm. All ages welcome!

Please contact Kimberly Tinsley at 770-333-9447 x103 or ktinsley@ccyakids.org
Cookie Coutures

Bring in baked goods between Dec. 15-31 to share in one of your dorms or bring to the main dining hall to share with the entire campus! Cookies, brownies, cakes, cupcakes.... The kids will love it all!

Please contact Kimberly Tinsley at 770-333-9447 x103 or ktinsley@ccyakids.org
Elves in Action  

Does you and your co-workers, friends, church members or family want to do a donation drive for CCYA's year around needs? Bath robes, PJ's, brightly colored twin comforters and sheets, pillows, bathmats, shower curtains, towels, toiletries, pantry re-stocking etc.

To receive one of these lists please contact Andrea Watkins at 770-333-9447 x116 or awatkins@ccyakids.org
A  BEST PLACE FOR YOUTH TO LIVE, HEAL & THRIVE.