Clarkston Development Foundation

VISION: CDF ENVISIONS COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THRIVING AND DIVERSE, WHERE THE VOICES OF ALL RESIDENTS ARE HEARD AND RESPECTED, AND WHERE RESIDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN DECISION-MAKING. WE ENVISION COMMUNITIES WHERE RESIDENTS WORK TOGETHER AND WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE THAT EARLY LEARNING HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, RESULTING IN EQUITABLE, SUSTAINED POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. MISSION: CDF ACTION ENGAGES RESIDENTS AND PARTNERS TO CRAFT INNOVATIVE, CULTURALLY SOUND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT BUILD ON COMMUNITY ASSETS. WE SEEK TO TRANSFORM EARLY LEARNING TO CREATE EQUITABLE, POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND PROGRAMS IN WHICH ALL CHILDREN, INCLUDING REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS, ARE NURTURED, SUPPORTED, AND PREPARED TO LEARN AND ACHIEVE SCHOOL SUCCESS.

IN 2021, THE BOARD AND STAFF COMPLETED A STRATEGIC PLANNING STUDY LED BY CIVITAS, USING CIVITAS'S FINDING YOUR NORTH STAR FRAMEWORK. AS A RESULT OF THE PLANNING PROCESS, CDF DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT THAT INCLUDED VISION, MISSION, PRINCIPLES, APPROACH, AND 3-YEAR STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS. VISION: CDF ENVISIONS COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THRIVING AND DIVERSE, WHERE THE VOICES OF ALL RESIDENTS ARE HEARD AND RESPECTED, AND WHERE RESIDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN DECISION-MAKING. WE ENVISION COMMUNITIES WHERE RESIDENTS WORK TOGETHER AND WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE THAT EARLY LEARNING HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, RESULTING IN EQUITABLE, SUSTAINED POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. MISSION: CDF ACTION ENGAGES RESIDENTS AND PARTNERS TO CRAFT INNOVATIVE, CULTURALLY SOUND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES THAT BUILD ON COMMUNITY ASSETS. WE SEEK TO TRANSFORM EARLY LEARNING TO CREATE EQUITABLE, POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND PROGRAMS IN WHICH ALL CHILDREN, INCLUDING REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS, ARE NURTURED, SUPPORTED, AND PREPARED TO LEARN AND ACHIEVE SCHOOL SUCCESS. THEORY OF CHANGE: CDF ACTION CATALYZES COMMUNITY CHANGE THROUGH A FOCUS ON THREE "LEVERS" INTEGRATED INTO ALL OUR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES: RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL COLLABORATION, AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. CDF SERVES AS A CATALYST TO BUILD ON COMMUNITY STRENGTHS, MOBILIZE NEW RESOURCES, AND PILOT INNOVATIVE PROJECTS, WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO MOVE IDEAS TO ACTION. CDF PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO GROUPS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CLARKSTON. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMATIC AND OPERATIONAL GOALS ADDRESS ISSUES AND IDEAS FROM OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING ACTIVITIES. CDF ACTION WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ALONGSIDE RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO REFINE AND IMPLEMENT THESE GOALS, 2021-2024. "GOAL 1: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MULTI-LINGUAL EARLY LEARNING TEACHERS IN CENTRAL DEKALB "GOAL 2: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEE AND LOW-INCOME CHILDREN IN CENTRAL DEKALB WHO HAVE ACCESS TO AND ARE ENROLLED IN FORMAL AND INFORMAL EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES "GOAL 3: EXPAND CORE CDF ACTION PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITIES BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CLARKSON. "GOAL 4: BUILD CDF ACTION'S INTERNAL CAPACITY. CDF ACTION: DELIVERING SOCIAL IMPACT, 7/28/2021 IS AVAILABLE. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF. THE CDF BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS THE GOVERNING BODY AND PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND PROGRAM OVERSIGHT AND LONG-RANGE PLANNING. ROBERTA MALAVENDA SERVES AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FLO SHEPLEY SERVES AS THE FINANCIAL MANAGER. CDF CONTRACTS WITH PARTNERS AND INDIVIDUALS TO IMPLEMENT SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. DURING 2021, SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED GRANTS AND INCLUDED CDF AS A PARTNER, INCLUDING REFUGEE WOMEN'S NETWORK AND AMANI WOMAN CENTER. ACTIVITIES IN 2021 INCLUDED: A. CLARKSTON EARLY LEARNING NETWORK (CELN)/CLARKSTON EARLY LEARNING TASK FORCE (CELTF). CELN, CREATED IN 2012 AS A RESULT OF CDF COMMUNITY DIALOGUES, IS A COALITION OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO: (A) INCREASING ACCESS TO AND THE QUALITY OF EARLY LEARNING AND LITERACY ACTIVITIES, (B) PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EARLY YEARS AND HOME LANGUAGE TO CHILDREN'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND (C) SUPPORTING EQUITABLE EARLY LEARNING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS. IN 2019, CDF ACTION AND THE NETWORK REQUESTED THAT THE CITY OF CLARKSTON CREATE A CLARKSTON EARLY LEARNING TASK FORCE (CELTF) TO CONDUCT AN EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CITY OF CLARKSTON AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. CDF WORKED WITH THE CITY OF CLARKSTON TO CREATE THE WORK PLAN AND TO RECRUIT TASK FORCE MEMBERS WHICH WERE APPOINTED IN EARLY 2020. IN 2021, CDF CONDUCTED MONTHLY TASK FORCE MEETINGS BY ZOOM, RESULTING IN NEW OR EXPANDED PROGRAMS. B. FEDERAL COVID-RELIEF GRANTS AND ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE VACCINE RATES CDF ASSISTED THE GOOD SAMARITAN LUTHERAN MINISTRIES TO DEVELOP THE "CLARKSTON REFUGEE HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND VACCINE ACCESS PROJECT." THE CITY OF CLARKSTON APPROVED THE PROPOSAL USING ARP FUNDS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PROVIDING FOOD GIFT CARDS AND HOUSING NAVIGATION FOR CONGOLESE RESIDENTS OF APARTMENT COMPLEXES IN CLARKSTON. CDF ALSO ASSISTED THE ROHINGYA GEORGIA ASSOCIATION WITH SEVERAL GRANTS WITH WHICH TO PROVIDE FOOD GIFT CARDS AND VACCINE INCENTIVES FOR ROHINGYA FAMILIES IMPACTED BY COVID. CDF, GISELLE LEARNING ACADEMY, AND THE CONGOLESE ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTA (COCOMATL) PARTNERED TO HOST A FOOD GIVEAWAY INCLUDING FRESH VEGETABLES AND CHICKEN, HELD AT THE CHILDCARE CENTER. OVER 30 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED. WORKING WITH THE CLARKSTON EARLY LEARNING TASK FORCE AND A STUDENT INTERN FROM EMORY UNIVERSITY, CDF RESEARCHED AND DEVELOPED A GRANT PROPOSAL TO THE CITY OF CLARKSTON TO CREATE A FRIENDSHIP FOREST STORY WALK. THE STORY WALK IS AN INNOVATIVE WAY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO ENJOY READING AND THE OUTDOORS AT THE SAME TIME. LAMINATED PAGES FROM A CHILDREN'S BOOK ARE ENCLOSED IN MESSAGE BOARDS WHICH ARE INSTALLED ALONG AN OUTDOOR PATH. THE CITY PAID FOR THE STANDS FROM APR FUNDS. CDF RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE STONE MOUNTAIN ROTARY CLUB TO PURCHASE 20 COPIES OF 12 BOOKS. THE BOOKS CHANGE EVERY MONTH. THE CLARKSTON LIBRARY WILL LEND COPIES OF EACH BOOK, AND PARTNERS WILL DISTRIBUTE BOOKS AS DOOR PRIZES DURING PLANNED LITERACY EVENTS HELD AT THE PARK. THE ROLLINS CENTER FOR LANGUAGE AND LITERACY STAFF IS DEVELOPING GUIDES FOR EACH BOOK. THE STANDS AND BOOKS WERE ORDERED IN 2021 AND THE STORY WALK IS SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH IN 2022. C. CLARKSTON TELL ME A STORY CHILDREN'S STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THE 8TH ANNUAL CTMAS WAS HELD AT THE GEORGIA PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE CONFERENCE CENTER, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021. BECAUSE OF COVID, THE EVENT WAS HELD INSIDE THE CONFERENCE CENTER AND OUTSIDE IN A COVERED PARKING LOT. APPROXIMATELY 150 PEOPLE ATTENDED. THE ANNUAL EVENT IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF CLARKSTON AND CDF ACTION WITH PARTICIPATION BY OVER 20 PARTNERS. THE EVENT INCLUDES STORY TELLERS, LITERACY ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY PARTNERS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, FREE BOOKS AND BOOK BAGS. MASKS AND HAND SANITIZERS WERE PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF CLARKSTON AND GIVEN TO PARTICIPANTS. VOLUNTEERS FROM EMORY, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE AND OTHER GROUPS ASSISTED WITH THE ACTIVITIES. D. READY SCHOOLS. THE READY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE IS AN INNOVATIVE EARLY LEARNING AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR 3 AND 4 - YEAR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FUNDED PRIMARILY BY UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA. THE READY SCHOOLS, LOCATED IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES OR CHURCHES, OFFER A FREE MULTI-LINGUAL, MULTI-CULTURAL HALF DAY PROGRAM. THE READY SCHOOL, DESIGNED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES AND EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS, PROVIDE AN INFORMAL AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM HAD NEVER BEEN AWAY FROM FAMILY. CURRENT TEACHERS, WHO ARE BILINGUAL, WERE PREVIOUS READY SCHOOL PARENTS. IN 2021, CDF SUPPORTED THREE READY SCHOOLS, ONE IN NORCROSS FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN LEARNING ACADEMY, AND TWO IN CENTRAL DEKALB, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCOTTDALE EARLY LEARNING, INC. THE CLARKSTON OAKS READY SCHOOL AND THE NORCROSS READY SCHOOL OPENED IN PERSON, WITH COVID SAFEGUARDS IN THE FALL OF 2021 AND CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE STONE MOUNTAIN SITE CONTINUED WITH ZOOM, WITH GUEST STORYTELLERS AND "FUN AND LEARNING" PACKETS PROVIDED MONTHLY TO FAMILIES. AN ANNUAL REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO UNITED WAY INCLUDING DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AND COMPLETION OF PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES. SCHOOLS SERVED 75 FAMILIES DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR. CDF ACTION PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES INTERESTED IN REPLICATING THE READY SCHOOL INITIATIVE. IN 2021, CDF PARTNERED WITH AMY GARRET TO OFFER AN EARLY LEARNING NATURE- BASED PROGRAM CALLED TINKERGARTEN FOR READY SCHOOL FAMILIES. THIS PROGRAM WAS HELD OUTSIDE, SO IT WAS SAFER FOR FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN TO ATTEND TOGETHER. HELD ON FRIDAYS WHEN THE READY SCHOOL WAS NOT IN SESSION, THE PROGRAM WAS ATTENDED BY 10 FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN, WITH ENTHUSIASTIC FEEDBACK. CDF SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL TO CONGRESSMAN HANK JOHNSON FOR A FEDERAL EARMARK TO EXPAND THE CURRENT READY SCHOOL SITES AND TO DEVELOP A NEW READY SCHOOL AND EARLY LEARNING PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEACHTREE CREEK AT PONCE APARTMENTS, IN CLARKSTON. THE PROPOSAL INCLUDED FUNDING FOR A READY SCHOOL TOOL KIT, ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE CDF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PROPOSAL WAS APPROVED BY CONGRESSMAN JOHNSON AND WAS INCLUDED IN THE 2021 FEDERAL BUDGET. CDF WILL IMPLEMENT THE GRANT IN 2022. IN 2021, CDF SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL TO DEKALB COUNTY FOR ARP FUNDS FOR A SUMMER PROGRAM. THAT PROPOSAL WAS APPROVED AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN 2023. E. ENHANCED CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (ECDA) PARTNERSHIP WITH HEAD START. THE CDA STUDENTS WHO STARTED THEIR CLASSWORK IN 2020 CONTINUED TO MEET BY ZOOM IN 2021 ALTHOUGH THEY COULD NOT BEGIN THEIR PRACTICUMS BECAUSE OF COVID. THE ZOOM CLASSES WERE HELD IN AMHARIC AND ENGLISH. THE STUDENTS WILL BE PLACED IN PRACTICUMS IN JANUARY 2022. IN 2021, CDF WORKED WITH THE NEW DEKALB HEAD START GRANT