To reach new audiences during April’s advocacy month to support strong families, state-level prevention partners launched three events that exceeded expectations.
In April, child welfare professionals recognize the dedicated and passionate prevention teams, programs, and partners working year-round to create awareness about the importance of supporting families.
Celebrating Georgia Families: Be the Village events took place in the Metro Atlanta area at Piedmont Park on April 12-14, in North Georgia at the Upriver Fest at the Mill on Etowah in Canton on April 27, and at the Celebrating Georgia Families event at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler, also held on April 27.
According to the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family & Children Services’ Prevention and Community Support (PCS) Section Director, Karsten D. Hartman, PCS provided funding for the three events, which offered a variety of activities, resource kits, and connections to a network of family support organizations.
“I am extremely proud of the planning and dedication that helped ensure the success of these events,” Hartman said. “The members of my team within PCS, all of our partners throughout the state, the Georgia Parent Advisory Committee, and everyone involved with planning and implementation were committed to spreading awareness of prevention strategies and resources to strengthen families.”
Hartman said planning for the events started in 2023, with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia leadership engaged from the start. PCA Georgia hosted the Celebrating Georgia Families event in Metro Atlanta, and local PCA Georgia councils hosted the North Georgia and South Georgia events.
“This was our first year engaging Georgia’s families through community events, and I was thrilled with the turnout and execution,” said Hartman.
According to PCA Georgia Executive Director Jennifer Stein, Piedmont Park provided a personalized way to deliver resources and information to attendees, many of whom were parents and caregivers.
“We hoped the festival would be a good fit for us,” Stein said. “We were so pleased with the response to our resource kits and the quality of the interactions with individuals.”
She said the new Strong Families, Strong Georgia coloring books were released as part of the resource kits.
PCA Georgia’s Community Sponsor booth near the Kids’ Village made it easy to connect with families. Stein said she hopes this test run of the Celebrating Georgia Families: Be the Village events will build momentum for future growth.
The Children’s Haven/PCA Cherokee hosted the North Georgia event. TCH/PCA Cherokee Executive Director Marcie Smith said the feedback from community organizations was positive.
“By incorporating community resources into an existing festival, it gave these organizations a presence among a greater community of people who weren’t necessarily seeking out services for themselves,” Smith said. This exposure to these services, though, had the potential for someone to see something that could benefit their neighbor, a family member, or a church member they were trying to help. It provided a great opportunity for awareness that was new for us!”
According to The Children’s Haven Director of Community Engagement Michelle Meek, the outreach aspect of the events was particularly successful because it allowed mission-related organizations to engage with families.
“One of our community resource vendors said their clients would greatly benefit from the services represented at the Upriver Fest,” Meek said. “They were unaware of all the help and support that was available. Now they have a new, beneficial referral source in our community.”
Meek added that another vendor shared how they felt it was incredibly beneficial to be a part of an event that raised awareness for their organization in the community and allowed them to share their services with those in need.
Overwhelmingly, the vendors that participated will return next year, she added.
Executive Director for Coastal Coalition for Children/PCA Coastal Coalition Lori Hatton said hosting the event at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler was a good way to meet people where they were on a busy Saturday. Hatton added that the community resources and free activities attracted a crowd. Tanger management has invited the organization to return for additional outreach events free of charge.
Looking ahead
The organizing committee plans to continue the events in 2025.
For more information, visit celebratinggafamilies.org.