Georgia Mountain Food Bank Expansion Project

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Project Partners:

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Georgia Mountain Food Bank; Hall County; Georgia Department of Community Affairs; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Georgia Mountains Regional Commission

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Summary:

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The Georgia Mountain Food Bank (GMFB) Expansion Project, funded by a $2,213,697 Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus from HUD, significantly enhanced the food bank's capacity to serve its five-county area. The project included a 10,000 square foot addition to the warehouse, increasing storage capacity by 54% and allowing for 36 more truckloads of food. It also added a refrigerated loading dock, expanding cold storage by 91%, and provided new office space and parking. The Georgia Mountains Regional Commission played a crucial role in securing and administering the grant. This expansion was critical in addressing increased food insecurity rates that rose from 11% in 2019 to 13% in 2020 across GMFB's service area. As a result, GMFB increased its meal provision by 15% to 6 million meals in 2023, with projections for a further 32% increase in 2024. This project exemplifies the importance of comprehensive planning, partnerships, and infrastructure development in addressing community needs, particularly in combating food insecurity in Appalachian Georgia.

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Brighter Futures: Welding Bootcamp

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Project Partners:

 

Good News at Noon Ministries; Salvation Army; Workforce Innovators of America; GA Department of Labor; Technical College System of Georgia, Business Services Unit; Kubota; Kipper Tools; LaserCraft; Lanny Dunagan; Metal Works

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Summary:

 

The Brighter Futures Welding Bootcamp, initiated by WorkSource Georgia Mountains (WSGM), is an innovative three-week program designed to empower individuals experiencing homelessness and unemployment. This comprehensive initiative combines welding training with essential life skills development, addressing multiple barriers to employment. The program utilizes a mobile welding lab to eliminate transportation issues and partners with local organizations to provide classroom space and computer access. Participants earn crucial certifications, including American Welding Society, Forklift Operation, CPR, and OSHA-10 safety certifications. The program extends beyond technical training, offering resume preparation, interview skills, and insights into the Federal Bonding Program. WSGM's holistic approach includes mentoring, case management, and partnerships with local employers. The program's success is evident in its completion rate and job placement outcomes, with six out of eight participants completing the training and four securing employment. This initiative not only provides immediate employment opportunities but also contributes to the region's economic development by expanding the skilled labor pool and promoting inclusivity in the workforce.

 

One-Stop Youth GED Program

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Project Partners:

 

Absolute Climate Control;  Cottrell; Daly’s Truck Driving School; Department of Juvenile Justice; Forsyth County Schools; GA Department of Labor; GA Department of Public Health; Gainesville City Schools;  Hall County Courts; Hall County Schools; Hall County Parks and Recreation;  J & J Foods;  Kubota; Lanier Technical College; Lumpkin County Schools; Overdrive Logistics; Workforce Innovators of America

   

Summary:

 

The Youth One-Stop GED Program is an innovative initiative designed to empower at-risk youth aged 16-24 by offering comprehensive GED preparation, career exploration, and employment readiness training. Funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), this program provides a holistic approach to education and workforce integration. It combines personalized GED tutoring with dynamic career exploration activities and robust job preparation workshops. The program also addresses practical barriers to education and employment by offering supportive services such as childcare and transportation assistance. Since its inception in 2019, the program has served 75 students, with 37 earning their GED and 15 obtaining occupational skills certifications. Notably, 40% of participants have transitioned to post-secondary education, employment, or further occupational skills training. By creating a nurturing and safe environment, the program allows students to learn from their mistakes and build a solid foundation for their futures, ultimately aiming to break cycles of poverty and unemployment.

NADO has released its 2024 Awards StoryMap which features projects highlighted in the Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards and Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards programs. The Impact Awards honor NADO members for their creative approaches to advancing regional economic development and improved quality of life. The Excellence Awards recognize noteworthy transportation, mobility, and goods movement projects in rural and small metropolitan regions. Click here to view the StoryMap.