Two Fall Golf Opportunities
Whether it's the annual AFG Ambassador's Charity Tournament or our own Goshen Valley Classic, there are two great opportunities to participate or volunteer in golf outings that provide vital support to the young men, women and children of Goshen Valley!
Goshen Valley Classic presented by WellStar:
Monday, October 24,
Shotgun Start: 12:00 p.m.
AFG Ambassador's Tournament:
What we are Most Proud of
One of our greatest honors is to watch young men and women who leave our care allow God to turn their difficult circumstances into fuel for a purposeful life that positively impacts our world. Today we celebrate!
Kevin Armour
US Marine Corps, Lance Corporal (2009-2013)
1812 Tank Crewman
Operation Enduring Freedom
Kuwait, Afghanistan
Kevin was at Goshen Valley from 2006-2008
Shawn Chapman, Active
US Marine Corps, Private First Class
0811 Artillery Cannonier
Shawn was at Goshen Valley from 2009-2010 and 2014-2016
Chase Chitwood, Active
US Marine Corps, E-3 Lance Corporal
3531 Motor Transportation Operator
Chase was at Goshen Valley for 8 years, from 2008-2015
Wade Godfrey, Active
US Navy, Petty Officer
3rd Rated Master at Arms
Wade was at Goshen Valley from 2007-2010 and 2014-2015
Geoffrey Laney, Active
US Marine Corps, Lance Corporal
1142 Mechanical Engineer
Geoff was at Goshen Valley for 6 years, from 2010-2015
John Metcalf, Active
US Army National Guard, 2nd Lieutenant
John was at Goshen Valley from 2008-2010
Matthew Moring, Active
US Marine Corps, Private First Class
0311 Infantryman
Matt was at Goshen Valley from 2008-2011
Today Goshen Valley is a vocational ministry to 4 veterans and 1 active National Guard Sergeant. We are so thankful that they have continued a lifetime of service from the armed forces to human services in foster care.
Chris Copeland
US Air Force, Staff Sergeant E5
2000-2006
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Chris has worked at Goshen Valley with his wife Lorissa since 2014 in the area of Facilities Director, respite parent and as a foster parent.
Spencer Doyle
US Marine Corps, E-5 Sergeant
1995-1999
Gulf War - Kuwait
USS ESSEX
Spencer has worked at Goshen Valley with his wife Keren since 2014 as a foster parent, facilities staff and respite parent.
Paul Drennan
US Marines, Military Police
1989-1992
Desert Shield/Desert Storm
1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Paul has worked at Goshen Valley since 2010 as a full-time respite parent with his wife Tanya and currently as Director of Placement Services.
Mike Lind
US Marines, Infantry Sergeant
Combined Arms Team
2001-2005
Front line invasion force for Operation Iraqi Freedom
Mike has worked at Goshen Valley with his wife Tina since 2015 as a respite parent.
Josh Voyes, Active
US Army National Guard, Sergeant
2011 to present
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Josh has worked at Goshen Valley since 2013 as a house father in the Covenant House. He and his wife Julie are expecting their first child in March!
New Beginnings takes Savannah thanks to United Way funding
One way that Goshen Valley has partnered with the United Way is by participating in a collaborative as a Pathway Partner around Opportunity Youth. We have joined together with other community organizations to collaborate and establish pathways that integrate learning and work experiences which support and facilitate post-secondary education and career opportunities for at-risk and disconnected youth ages 16 to 24. The other collaborative organizations we are currently partnered with include Goodwill of North Georgia, Year Up, Carrie Steele Pitts Home, GA State University and Kennesaw State University.
Through the Atlanta Opportunity Youth Summer Innovation Grant, our New Beginnings youth were given the opportunity to journey to Savannah to learn about the challenges and triumphs of a community outside of their own.
Our team visited and volunteered at Second Harvest food pantry to learn how the organization served the community in collaboration with other local organizations such as Lighthouse Ministry.
At Lighthouse Ministry, Program Director Giselle Espinal-Francis describes the experience,
"Our youth had so many great moments but one that stood out the most was when all the youth walked into Lighthouse Ministries, not realizing that none of the expected volunteers showed up. There was a line around the building of hungry babies and mother waiting to feed their families and get assistance. We were greeted by Ms. Linda, who shared that they were going to have to serve over 60 families without volunteers until we showed up. Our youth were able to help toddlers pick toys and clothing, while others were able to give hugs and smiles at the doors and they even witnessed a baptism. One of our youth named Janesha, was given the task of checking in the families for the clothing closet. When she left, she was so touched at how appreciative everyone was for the services they received that day. She left with a smile and thanked us for making all this possible."
The youth got the opportunity to visit Tybee Beach. For many of them, not only was this their first time outside of the Atlanta area, but the firs time to see the ocean. Sierra Tabor, Residential Life Coach, reflected on the experience,
"The look on their faces was priceless. Just to know that I was able to share that moment with them was something I'll never forget."
Youth also visited Greenbriar Children's Home to learn about how youth their age, in a similar circumstance, lived within a different program. The team went to First African Baptist Church, the oldest African American church in the United States.
In order to make the fullest impact, New Beginnings also held a "Home Trip." During this day, our youth visited a local food pantry to learn the similarities and differences between the one in Savannah and one at home. They also met with pastor Keith Norman of the Factory to discuss cultural and ethnic challenges that face our community today as a reflection on their visit to First African Baptist Church.
As a result of the trip, New Beginnings youth would like to start a toiletry pantry to assist struggling or homeless youth. Their eyes were opened to both the challenges and opportunities in a community beyond their own, and they were invited to take part in the solution. Thank you to the United Way for giving our youth a chance to learn, grow and change!