What We Do
The purpose of the One Hall initiative is to break the cycle of poverty in Hall County by seeking to understand poverty from the perspective of our most vulnerable citizens. We know this will take a long-term commitment and we must work side-by-side with local churches and public, private and non-profit sectors to tackle the root causes of poverty in a holistic and sustainable manner. We seek to create a community-level goal that is measurable and attainable. We will study existing statistics and work directly with those experiencing poverty to develop strategies that must be understood and addressed at a high level by the community-at-large.
Belief Statement
We commit to do what is necessary, because it is needed, not because it is deserved. We believe that until everyone lives in dignity no one lives in dignity and we must offer a hand up and not simply a hand out. We seek to be known as truly inclusive, seeking input from all with respect for each other’s religion, values, arts, skills, cultures, races, and interests.
Community Aspirations
A vision of a community without poverty where everyone is focused on creating pathways out of poverty through our everyday actions and the below ideals are embedded in our community culture.
The Community We Want to Be:
Everyone has access to a safe, decent, affordable place to live
Everyone has opportunities to earn a living wage
No one is hungry
Everyone has accessible and adequate medical care
Mental health needs are recognized and have priority for treatment
Drug and alcohol abuse are recognized and treated
All children have access to superior educational opportunities from birth through graduation and post-secondary education
Prisons are committed to rehabilitation
No one experiences discrimination of any kind - racial, cultural, religious or sexual
Children are a priority and foster care is provided locally
Volunteerism is a way of life for all
Affordable, adequate public transportation is available to all
Everyone has a voice and is involved in making community decisions
Negative and illegal activities are actively identified and prosecuted - be they drug dealers, slum landlords, high interest manipulators, sex offenders, or others who take advantage of the poor and vulnerable
A community recognized for its comprehensive media support toward breaking the cycle of poverty - Safe, educational and affordable after school programs are accessible to all children
A community known for its hospitality, welcoming strangers of all economic standings, cultures and backgrounds into its midst
One Hall Leaders
One Hall Chair
Christy Moore
Education
Dr. Merrianne Dyer
Karen Borders
Health/Mental & Behavioral Health
Dr. Monica Newton
Adam Raulerson
Financial Stability
Maria Calkins
Duane Schlereth
Advocates for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Philippa Lewis Moss
ONE HALL HEALTH/MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
2024 GOALS
Access
Increase access to resources through Unite Us.
Mental Health resources are available to special populations and in different languages.
Collaboration
Strengthen the partnership structure that will support ongoing collaborative efforts.
Education
Teach people to recognize and respond to improve mental health in our community.
One Hall Financial Stability
One Hall Financial Stability Community 2023 - 2024 Action Plan
2023-2024 One Hall Financial Stability Goals
Committee Action:
To Come: Financial Literacy Resource Guide
To Come: Housing Festival
Supporting Information:
Impact of Stable Housing on Education
Impact of Stable Housing on Health
One Hall Education
Committee Goals:
Increase the number of children in Hall County reading proficiently by 3rd grade.
Focus: Early literacy, summer reading loss, reduce the stress of poverty & neglect; create volunteer and engagement opportunities that support reading and literacy; educate families on importance of reading
Increase the number of families who provide children with early learning activities, such as Pre-K, early childhood programs and opportunities
Support programs/ initiatives that provide college and career preparation; work-force readiness; pathways for youth to secure financial stability; educate parents about career planning and preparation for post-secondary options & work force
ONE HALL ADVOCATES
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
We’d love to see you at our next NEA Big Read event.
2023 Goals
Work towards goal of exposing 1,030 Hall County Influencers with facts, figures and first-hand accounts of racial disparities in all domains of life (education, business, government, nonprofit, religion, recreation, healthcare, real estate, public safety, environment, etc.) such that they enhance their awareness of and interest in correcting such inequities.
Use books, videos, podcasts and study groups to highlight racial and gender disparities as they exist in our local community, state and nation.
Objective #1
Launch 6 Community Conversations where 60 people participate in the review of books, videos, or podcasts.
Objective #2
Launch one community event where 100 people participate in a discussion related to race, ethnicity, and/or gender.
To find out more about One Hall Advocates, contact Teigha Snowden at tsnowden@unitedwayhallcounty.org
How to Join
One Hall meetings are an open, public forum for anyone wanting to join our community-driven conversations. To become a One Hall member, simply attend one of our upcoming meetings. The schedule and meeting locations are below. If you have any questions, reach out to Teigha Snowden at tsnowden@unitedwayhallcounty.org.
Health
3rd Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
Join us at Brenau Renaissance, 106 Spring Street SW, Gainesville or
via Zoom
Financial Stability
In person at The MAAC at Midtown Village
854 Davis Street, Building B
Gainesville, GA 30501
*March 20 will be a special focus group meeting to respond to the Gainesville City Comp Plan. This will be from 1:30 pm-3 pm in the North Georgia Community Foundation Community Room
The MAAC: May 15, July 17, September 18, & November 20 at 2pm