Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Gwinnett county is filled with opportunities to work with like-minded individuals who can work together for the benefit of the community and its citizens.  There is a multitude of organizations that I am interested in outside of the ones I am already affiliated with. 

Hi-Hope Service Center  -  Hi-Hope Service Center provides quality services that empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to define and live a meaningful life.  Hi-Hope Service Center is a nearly 60-year-old nonprofit located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in the heart of Gwinnett County, just outside of Atlanta. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a volunteer board of directors.  Hi-Hope believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.  Hi-Hope values and promotes effective partnerships between individuals, families, organizations, its Board of Directors and staff at all levels of the organization.  Hi-Hope believes that society in general and Hi-Hope in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability).  Opportunities are available for both individuals and groups to offer support weekdays, evenings and on the weekends, just once or through ongoing support. You can serve as a friend and companion to the individuals they support. One can organize and lead an activity at Hi-Hope or host us at your home, place of work, church, school, or other community location. "Adopt" one of the group homes to forge close connections with the four residents of a given location.

Manna Fund INC.  -  The Manna Fund addresses the epidemic of eating disorders by providing prevention, education, research, and financial assistance for treatment to all qualified individuals through well-administered programs. .Manna Fund is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and financial assistance to individuals who need eating disorder treatment scholarships. Manna provides funding for inpatient, residential, Partial Hospitalization, and Intensive Outpatient eating disorder treatment for individuals lacking insurance coverage or for those with inadequate insurance coverage. Manna Fund grants scholarships to recipients by providing direct payment to partnering with eating disorder treatment facilities.

AKS American Kidney Services  -  American Kidney Services (AKS) is a local, non-profit Atlanta charity that strives to help kidney disease sufferers who are in financial need. AKS, in conjunction with American Kidney Fund, will take your used clothing donations and used household goods and turn them into direct monetary support for patients struggling to pay bills and rent because the cost of their medical care and dialysis is absorbing all of their funds.  By creating an accessible system of donation drop boxes and a simple, stress-free donation pick up schedule, American Kidney Services makes it easy to turn used items lying around your home or business into much-needed charitable donations. Donations can include women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, small kitchen appliances, electrical items, silverware, glassware, dishes, decorative items, small furniture, books, linens, bedding, televisions, CD players, stereos, and any other items that you no longer use or want.

The organizations that I have chosen I am familiar with and often interact with the individual that lead these factions.  They all seek to help the community in better ways.  Each organization offers the opportunity for the community as a whole to help the individuals that need help the most.  Offering chances to support the community in a variety of ways is how these organizations remain visible to the community and have become a staple for the citizens to know where to find help as well as lend their services.

There is one position that must be difficult to oversee because it is often open for new hires.  It is the position of Leadership & Organizational Development Manager.  It is Gwinnett County Human Resources' vision to build a culturally diverse and high-caliber workforce that contributes to the overall success of Gwinnett County Government through collaborative efforts and excellent customer service. Our Human Resources organizational structure consists of HR Generalist teams, HRIS Specialists, Benefits Administration, and administrative support staff to provide exemplary quality services to our customers.  This position is responsible for partnering with County stakeholders to determine leadership and employee development training needs. This role will manage the design and implementation of training programs aligned with the strategic goals of the organization.

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business or a closely related field

Eight years of progressively responsible training and development experience, including two years of management experience

Strong customer service/service delivery skills are essential

an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

The qualifications of this position are similar to what I believe most administrators need to perform their jobs successfully.  Background or understanding of business practices, leadership and managerial experience, customer services as well as possessing the temperament to perform under pressure and stress. Each of these traits would make for a great leader and a competent administrator.