Author: On Common Ground News

Volunteers will hit the streets to count the homeless living under bridges, on the streets, in shelters and in other places in the city of Atlanta as part of an annual report for the U.S. Census. The count in Atlanta will take place during a 24-hour period on Jan. 23 that will last overnight. DeKalb County also is participating in the count to determine its number of homeless. DeKalb’s count will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, lasting overnight. The surveys, which will include demographics for individuals living in shelters as well as those who are unsheltered, will help…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond released his first proposed operating budget of $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2017, promising to also address chronic issues in the county including inaccurate water billing, blight and unemployment. “This budget provides a framework for strengthening the government’s fiscal condition,   improving public safety, annualizing the fiscal year 2016 pay and compensation increases and funding various infrastructure and capital improvements,” Thurmond said. “By proactively managing our resources, we will be able to maintain a projected $50.1 million fund balance, which equals one month’s operating revenue.” Prior to the official adoption of the budget, the administration will…

Decide DeKalb Development Authority continues to help businesses thrive in DeKalb County. In 2016, the Authority attracted and retained approximately $440 million in announced capital investments and 4,800 jobs. “Success for Decide DeKalb is measured by outcomes,” said Decide DeKalb’s President Ray Gilley. “Over the course of 2016, the Authority successfully closed and landed 17 exciting projects that are bringing resources and jobs to DeKalb.” Decide DeKalb is not only attracting new businesses to the county but also helping existing businesses expand. “We look forward to working with our local and state leaders as well as the international business community…

Congressman Hank Johnson honored four students at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology as the winners of the 2016 Congressional App Challenge. Sophomore Austin Goodloe and juniors Jeebe Diop, Daniel Garner and Brandon Golston were named the winners in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. The App Challenge was a nationwide contest hosted by the House of Representatives for the second year. In an effort to promote computer science education, 123 congressional districts in 33 states asked students to code original apps. More than 2,150 students participated and created 650 apps in the process. The winners were announced earlier…

Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, Atlanta, will host the “Wills and Beneficiary Workshop” on Saturday, Jan. 28, 9:30-11:30 a.m. This free workshop is a learning experience for all. An endowment is a permanent investment fund that creates a source of income in perpetuity from interest and investment earnings to support programs and ministries. There is no charge to attend the workshop.

The Annual World Religion Day celebration is set for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m., at the Dunwoody Public Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody. Since 2011, the city of Dunwoody Baha’i community with the participation of many great friends in the interfaith community gather to celebrate each other’s faiths and religious and spiritual traditions. Each community will present a form of art and/or a description/vignette of their respective faith.

Peacebuilders Camp at Koinonia Farm is seeking counselors for its summer camp. Peacebuilders is a unique overnight summer camp in rural South Georgia where youths ages 11 to 14 spend a week together learning how to work toward peace and justice. If you are seeking a way to build a society with more generosity, caring, and kindness then you should apply to be a counselor at Peacebuilders Camp this summer. Read the job description here Apply by March 1, send a cover letter and resume to mario@peacebuilderscamp.org.

“Get In the Door: 7 Keys to Maximizing Your Career Search” focuses on career search strategies that guide today’s job seeker whether unemployed or underemployed. Get In the Door touches three segments of job seeking through it’s memorable tips for high school students, college students, and mature professionals.  Readers will begin thinking like Human Resource professionals while making the mental shift to utilize the tools needed for today’s successful job searches. Myers’ company, In The Door, focuses on workforce development solutions including training career development facilitators, human resource organization training workshops (diversity and inclusion, leadership, change management, skills gap training)…

DeKalb County Community Development Department is seeking 100 volunteers to sign up for a street count and survey of the county’s homeless. The count will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, at 9 p.m., lasting overnight. “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires each community to conduct a biennial point-in-time homeless count,” said Allen Mitchell, director of Community Development. “For the past five years, DeKalb has conducted an annual count in order to identify the scope of homelessness, document the impact of actions to address homelessness and identify any additional resources that are required.” Volunteers will meet at their…

WHO: Dr. R. Stephen Green Superintendent, DeKalb County School District WHAT: On the Scene with Dr. Green: Community conversations with Dr. Green Parents, students, residents and other stakeholders are invited to talk with Dr. Green about issues, concerns, and other important topics concerning the District. WHEN and WHERE: Thurs., Sept. 29, 2016, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Stephenson HS Thurs., Nov. 17, 2016, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Henderson MS, 2830 Henderson Mill Rd., Chamblee Thurs., Jan. 26, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Peachtree MS, 4664 N. Peachtree Rd., Atlanta Thurs., Mar. 2, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.…