A U G U S T 2019
contents Chairman’s Column page 2 Meetings & Events page 4 Vision 2030 page 5 Workforce Development page 6 Member Announcements page 10 New Members page 11 Small Business of the Month page 12 Ribbon Cuttings page 14
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Reaching Out is Health Smart Mental Healthcare is an important part of a person’s physical health. Unfortunately, it is often the first piece of our health we ignore. For too long, we’ve put mental health on the back burner for many reasons, whether we’re afraid of the stigma associated with mental illness or the seemingly insurmountable nature of the issue itself. In my decades of work in mental and behavioral health, I’ve seen people struggling with Reese Daniel their own mental health or coping with and Co-Chair, ONE HALL Mental caring for a loved one with mental illness. & Behavioral Health Many have reached the end of their rope Subcommittee, United Way and, in some cases, their own resources. I've of Hall County come to realize that addressing the issue of mental health requires the expertise, commitment and passion of the entire community. After all, issues surrounding mental illness can affect an entire community, causing lost productivity at work, loss of connection with family and loved ones, or an inability to hold a job, which can lead to poverty, homelessness, and a cascading set of other social concerns. In 2018, United Way of Hall County formed a Community Game Plan outlining some of our community’s greatest needs. Forums were created under the name of ONE HALL to focus on three areas of importance – health, education and financial stability. I have had the privilege to serve on the health committee, which focuses on our community’s health and its impact on our quality of life. A subcommittee of this group has evolved, directly addressing mental and behavioral health. This committee envisions a future for those in Hall County where mental health needs are recognized and treated with access to mental health services increased and easily accessible. Whether it is an individual learning better coping skills for stress
Business After Hours Tuesday, August 13
Economic & Political Forecast Friday, August 16
Business Before Hours Tuesday, August 27
South Hall Business Coalition
60+ employers will be on hand for the Fall Job Fair & Career Expo on September 24 (2-6pm) at the Gainesville Civic Center. FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Great opportunity to learn about area companies that are now hiring. See more on page 16.
featured member
Thursday, August 8
and anxiety, a victim of abuse, or someone struggling with mental illness or addiction, our aspiration is that all residents of Hall County are healthy and safe. We recognize that if you want to change the conversation, you have to start the conversation. This fall we will be launching a campaign to start talking as a community about mental healthcare as a piece of our overall health. It is our hope that we will learn together as a community, employer, friend and family member, how to feel comfortable reaching out to one another for support by sharing our struggles and identifying resources to help each other. A mentally fit community is a stronger community. We want everyone to know they are not alone – that at some point we have all struggled with our own mental health. It does not discriminate between age, income, position, or level of education. It must be acknowledged and cared for like all other aspects of our physical health because it has the power to impact our professional, private, and collective community lives. To maintain a healthy, thriving community and workforce, we must recognize that mental healthcare must be a piece of the overall healthcare puzzle. This is why we will be sharing more about mental health at the Chamber's HealthSmart Expo on October 16. Because we believe that Reaching Out is HealthSmart. See more about the HealthSmart Expo on page 7.
Reese Daniel is a certified addiction counselor with over 37 years of experience in mental health and addiction recovery. He's been recognized with the Georgia Addictions Counselor Association Humanitarian Award, a Greater Chamber Healthy Hall Award and the Caron Wednesday, October 16 Foundation Community 7:30 am-1:30 pm | Gainesville Civic Center Leadership Award. Free Health Screenings & Open to the Public