2009 Stories in the News
New school will help Georgia youth
By Rachel Thomas
(Reynolds, GA) If you arrived late and looked for a seat at Georgia Center’s grand opening of their new school, you would have been out of luck. The Georgia Youth Academy event was standing room only.
Georgia Center staff and members of the community celebrated the new school with an open house including remarks from Dr. Allen Marchetti, ResCare Southern Region vice president, Taylor County School’s Superintendent
Georgia Center staff and members of the community celebrated the new school with an open house including remarks from Dr. Allen Marchetti, ResCare Southern Region vice president, Taylor County School’s Superintendent
Vice President of ResCare’s Southern Region Allen Marchetti and Taylor County School’s Superintendent Wayne Smith were present at the Georgia Youth Academy to cut the ribbon during the dedication ceremony.
Wayne Smith and Donna Faulkner, educational consultant to the school. The young people of the Georgia Center Youth Choir entertained attendees during the program with three songs and a prayer written by one of the students.
“Construction of a modern school complex was a critical component of completing our vision for the Georgia Center,” said Dr. Marchetti. “We are extremely proud of these facilities and the efforts of the staff at the Georgia Center who have worked hard to ensure these children receive the best residential and educational services possible.”
In addition to classrooms accommodating small class sizes, construction of the new school completes the integrated complex with a library, conference and study rooms, a nursing and home economics area and computer room.
The completion of the new school follows the opening of a state-of-the-art activity building in 2007 that houses a media room, arts and crafts area, library, exercise area, multi-purpose room, store, beauty shop and outdoor activity areas – including a basketball court. Adding the school to the same campus brings the Georgia Center one step closer to providing students with outstanding facilities to meet the needs of the school aged children who benefit from their services.
The completion of the Georgia Youth Academy brings the Georgia Center one step closer to providing students with an integrated complex that will best meet their needs.
Students, who started school on Aug. 7, were full of excitement when they walked into their new school for the first time. Ms. Jones noted that the students seemed to feel a new sense of pride.
“The new school is very conducive to learning,” Executive Director for the Georgia Center Connie Jones said. “When I look into the windows of the classrooms I see students excited to raise their hands and answer questions. It’s really
“The new school is very conducive to learning,” Executive Director for the Georgia Center Connie Jones said. “When I look into the windows of the classrooms I see students excited to raise their hands and answer questions. It’s really
amazing to hear the students say ‘I love my new school’ and ‘I can’t wait to learn.’”
Dr. Marchetti was honored for his commitment to the Georgia Center, as well as Architect G. Hubert Jones and Building Contractor Garrison Construction for their work in creating a welcoming and nurturing space where Georgia Center staff can further enrich the lives of the young people entrusted to their care. Pam Anthony, business manager for the Georgia Center, was also recognized for being with the Center from the start 18 years ago.
The Georgia Center provides a therapeutic foster care program and an intensive residential treatment program for young people 10-17 years old who have had significant challenges in their lives. Students receive clinical, behavior management, residential and educational programming. It helps teach them social, daily living, educational and coping skills so they can overcome those challenges. Children are referred by state and private agencies and evaluated by a multidisciplinary team responsible for assessing each child’s programming needs.