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
Erika Lopez Gill
Jessie Moore

Financial Stability

Maria Calkins
Duane Schlereth

Advocates for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Philippa Lewis Moss

ONE HALL HEALTH/MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

2023 GOALS

Access 

  • Increase access to resources through Unite Us.

Collaboration 

  • Strengthen the partnership structure that will support ongoing collaborative efforts.

Education 

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

Education

1st Thursday of each month

at 9:00 a.m.
Join us 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