Register! 2014 Luncheon and Fashion Show
"A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark"
- Chinese Proverb
Commemorating 5 Years
Please join us for the
5th Annual Luncheon Fashion Show
supporting the
Alice Smith Memorial Fund
to benefit
Goshen Valley Boys Ranch
Saturday, November 8, 2014
11:30 a.m.
Country Club of Roswell
Roswell, GA 30076
Raffle and Silent Auction
Individual Tickets: $50
Table of Ten: $450
Tickets are tax deductible
Fashions by BARAMI at Phipps Plaza
For more information or corporate sponsorship, please contact Allison Smith
404-274-1583 or smithallielee@gmail.com
Register Here!
3 Keys to Our Successful Partnerships
One of the things we’ve always believed to be true is that Goshen Valley is only as strong as the community that surrounds it. Thankfully, since the beginning, we’ve been blessed by some incredible partners in our community that have a passion for transforming the stories of young men in the North Georgia area.
Because partnerships are so critical to the impact Goshen Valley is able to make, I thought it might be helpful to share with both our partners and supporters the reason that our partnerships have become so successful.
3 Keys to Goshen Valley’s Partnerships
Here are three things that have helped Goshen Valley create an extraordinary amount of impact through our partners over the years:
1. We act with intention and clarity in everything we do.
Goshen Valley is intentional about our partnerships. We try our best to work with those who have a deep understanding of the issues, needs, and opportunities are presented through our ministry. We are also intentional about establishing partnerships that we feel can grow through the years. For example, we are approaching our 7th year to partner with First Baptist Woodstock as part of Love Loud, our 6th year to partner with Family Christian as a domestic mission trip site, and 3rd year to partner with North Point Church through the Be Rich Campaign.
2. We craft shared goals and outcomes with our partners
A few years ago, we met with some of the leadership from Love Loud and agreed that it was important to create additional opportunities for our young men to connect with their servants over the three days that they visit the ranch. We decided to work collaboratively and coordinated a series of service learning days for the young men at Goshen Valley to partner with the servants from Love Loud. As a result, our young men now spend Friday of that week at home on the ranch working as part of a Love Loud Academy. The boys earn certificates for the work they learn and do that day, as well as build lasting friendships with those that come and serve. It's been a tremendous success for both organizations.
3. We review and evolve our partnerships annually
We have learned that partnerships have to be shared in their successes and their failures. It's important that we are interacting with our partners throughout the year, discussing specific ways in which the partnership can continue to grow. In some cases, we work to cut programs that aren’t working. In others, we look to expand on areas that have been successful. Either way, we believe that the decisions we make should be shared and collaborated on equally. With everyone involved in the review process, we can make sure that we can ensure that everyone is benefiting, not only those being served, but those serving as well.
To all the incredible partners we’ve worked with over the years… thank you. We could not have made nearly as much impact in the lives of the young men who become part of the family at Goshen Valley without your help.
Trey’s Story: A Graduation Celebration
There are a lot of things we enjoy celebrating at Goshen Valley… but graduation is by far one of our favorites! For our young men, it’s one of the most significant milestones of their lives, one that seemed out of reach without the help and support of the people who believe in them.
At Goshen, a young man who thinks that he can’t (or doesn’t need to) graduate is kept accountable and given support to earn his high school diploma. The result is stories like Trey, who received his diploma from Cherokee High School last month.
Trey’s Story: A Graduation Celebration
Trey arrived at Goshen Valley a little under four years ago. When he arrived, Trey thought that earning his GED would be the only option because he was behind grade level. However, through our support system, Trey was given opportunities to make up work and get ahead. His house parents and case management staff helped Trey to believe in himself. He worked hard with our education staff and tutors to get his grades on track throughout the school year and our summer academy credit recovery program.
After turning 18, Trey returned to live with family in the area making him an official Goshen Valley Alumnus. Still, he made the commitment that wouldn’t be the only alumni status he would hold. Trey left the Ranch before graduation, but finished out his school year and received his diploma from Cherokee High School on May 29th, 2014. Today, Trey is making plans to join the workforce and fully-embrace this next season of life.
Thank you for helping make more graduations possible!
Celebrating graduations like Trey’s is only possible because of your support. Whether you help by volunteering, donating, or advocating for Goshen Valley, everything you do helps change the lives of young men forever!