Summer may be a break from the classroom, but it is one of the busiest seasons for our Collaborative! Throughout the summer, Dalton/Whitfield Family Connection had the privilege of working alongside incredible community partners to help ensure local children and families had access to food, learning opportunities, health resources, and support as they prepared for a new school year.
One of the highlights of the summer was partnering with Beechland Summer Feeding, where volunteers served lunch to children in the Beechland neighborhood while spending time building relationships through games and activities. These simple moments of connection remind us that summer meals provide more than nourishment—they create opportunities for children to feel seen, valued, and supported.
In July, we celebrated with families from Dalton Public Schools’ Kid City Summer Program by hosting Christmas in July, marking the conclusion of their summer learning program. Thanks to the generosity of First Baptist Dalton, Crosspointe Dalton, and First Presbyterian Church Dalton, students received back-to-school gift cards and haircut vouchers to help them begin the school year with confidence. It was a wonderful example of churches and community organizations working together to meet practical needs while celebrating students’ accomplishments.
Preparing children for a successful start to school also included partnering with the Whitfield County Health Department for a School Readiness Event. Rising Pre-K and Kindergarten students received free health screenings, immunizations, and school readiness information, while families connected with local organizations offering resources to support their child’s transition into school.
As summer came to a close, Dalton/Whitfield Family Connection also joined Well Housed Dalton for their Back to School Bash, where families living in their housing community gathered to receive school supplies, connect with community resources, and celebrate the beginning of a new school year.
These events looked different, but they shared a common purpose: ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. We are grateful to the many partners, volunteers, churches, schools, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and businesses who make this work possible. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community where children and families are supported every step of the way.