Ellen Gerstein hoped she would have worked herself out of a job by now.

Twenty years ago, Gerstein was hired as the executive director of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, an advocacy group dedicated to strengthening families, supporting youth and building community.

"My vision was that Gwinnett County would have no more homeless, no more hunger, no more children doing drugs." Gerstein said. "Unfortunately, it's gotten worse, because of our social and economic growth. I think the next 20 years will be as important as the first 20 in focusing on prevention and doing the work together to address the needs of our community."

The Gwinnett Coalition held an open house recently to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Over 200 Coalition supporters, past and present, got to take a journey through time which included 20 years of Coalition accomplishments. Some of those were the establishing of the Gwinnett Hel[pline, the Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute and Gwinnett Great Days of Service and helping to establish cooperative ministries, the IMPACT! Group, and health clinics.

"I"m most proud that we still and always have  seemed to be recognized as a model of collaboration," Gerstein said. "In a community even as large as Gwinnett, people CAN work together."

Suzy Bus, director of the Gwinnett Helpline, said she's worked for the Coalition for four years.

"I love it! I love that we get to make a difference in the community in all kinds of ways," Suzy said. "Lives are changed for the better and people are helped."

Exactly what is an Endowment Fund?

An endowment is a permanent fund of property or money established to benefit an institution or person. It has a specific purpose defined for which the income derived from the money or property is to be applied.  In an endowment fund, the principal is invested, and only a portion of the investment earnings is spent. The rest of the earnings are directed back into the fund, so that the endowment grows over time. In this manner, the endowment becomes a perpetual source of funding for whatever the donor wishes to achieve. 

By creating an endowment fund, you leave more behind than money: you plant the seed of opportunity for generations to come. You leave hope that the next generation can experience the elements of life that you cherished and enjoyed during your lifetime.

When donors work through the CFNEG to achieve their charitable goals, they benefit from the expertise of experienced staff, community leadership, and investment management. 

If you are not prepared to make a present, lifetime gift to the Foundation to create your legacy, the establishment of the Legacy Society at the Foundation deserves your consideration.  This society recognizes individuals who are planning for gifts today that will provide significant benefits to our community in the future.  These gifts may take the form of bequests, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of life insurance, or another type of charitable planned gifts.  The Legacy Society provides a way for the Foundation to recognize and thank donors during their lifetimes, for gifts which will come at the end of the donors' lives.  You are eligible for membership in the Legacy Society if you have made arrangements in your will or through another form of deferred giving, for a gift to the Foundation.    

  Please call our office for more information:  770-813-3380

 

CFNEG is pleased to announce recent addition of regional leaders to serve on the 2011 Board of Directors.

Change is constant, inevitable and vital to community advancement. Adaptive leadership addresses a very active form of leadership, not a passive effort taken merely to adjust to circumstances. Our leaders discover ways to flex and grow and then implement these practices for the ultimate success of the Greater Good.

The eight new members are:

Doug Bridges:  Westbrook, McGrath, Bridges, Orth &Bray

Wayne Hill:  Nashill, Inc.

Barbara Howard:  Suzanna's Kitchen

Jim Pack

Greg Shumate:  Brand Mortgage Company

Ruth Strickland:  CEO Business Centers

Sandra Strickland

Kathryn Willis:  Parsons Gifts

Long time CFNEG Board Member, Mary Louise Stark recently relocated and will no longer be able to commit her time to serving the region.  She will be greatly missed.  Also, Judge Chung Lee, due to other community obligations, graciously consented to serve on the CFNEG Advisory Board. This will enable his expertise to remain available to us. 

"One of the Foundation's greatest assets is its Board leadership. We are fortunate to have such dynamic leaders from the business community who have chosen to assume a leadership role at the Foundation," said Judy Waters, CFNEG Executive Director.