HEALTHY FAMILIES INITIATIVE TRAINER SPOTLIGHT: Janae Combs

Meet Healthy Families Initiative Certified Trainer Janae Combs, MA, LPC, NCC

Janae Combs_Changing_Perceptions_Janae-6

Janae is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 16 years of experience counseling adults, couples, families and adolescents. She has worked in multiple capacities ranging from psychiatric hospitals, residential facilities, support services, placement agencies and currently private practice.

Over the course of the next few months, Janae will be facilitating the “Sex Lies and Relationships” course for both adults and youth.

“The relationship courses offered through the Healthy Families Initiative fit right into the methods I use to help my clients. I would love to see the programs expand statewide, so more people can take advantage of the quality curriculum offered.”

Believing that most people instinctually know what is best for them
and their situations, Janae uses a growth-oriented approach in helping her clients create positive life changes. These changes will inevitably enhance and build on their existing strengths, insights, and skills while they cultivate new ones.

“Sometimes you don’t know where life is going to lead you, but it’s best to be prepared for the journey along the way and your destination.”


Many Georgia families are struggling relationally and financially. Divorce is common, and cohabitation and unwed childbirth are on the rise. Even many families that remain intact struggle to cover basic living expenses. You might not know where to begin to help.

The Healthy Families Initiative (HFI) is a community-based collaboration between individuals, churches, and businesses focused on transforming relationships and families in the Norcross and Peachtree Corners area. Our goal is to increase healthy relationships, family formation and stability, and decrease childbearing outside of marriage.

For more information about the Healthy Families Initiative (HFI) or to register for FREE classes, visit https://foropportunity.org/initiatives/hfi/

HEALTHY FAMILIES INITIATIVE TRAINER SPOTLIGHT: Shay Marlowe

Meet Healthy Families Initiative Certified Trainer Shay Marlowe

Unknown

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”

Shay is a graduate of Duluth High School and Michigan State University. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in 2006, Shay returned to Gwinnett to work fulltime at the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter and as a volunteer at the A. Worley Brown Boys and Girls Club. Shay was named “Volunteer of the Year” at the Brown Boys and Girls Club in 2007 and went on to become a mentor for Big Brother Big Sister of Metro-Atlanta.

During his time at the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, Shay facilitated fatherhood classes, using the “24/7 Dad” curriculum, to teenage fathers from Gwinnett County high schools and a group of fathers serving their final year of incarceration at Philips State Prison in Buford.

When Shay is not facilitating classes for Georgia Center for Opportunity, he can be found helping local veterans obtain jobs as part of his fulltime work at Goodwill of North Georgia. Shay continues to be a mentor for Big Brother Big Sister and he enjoys playing sports in his free time. His favorite quote comes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”


Many Georgia families are struggling relationally and financially. Divorce is common, and cohabitation and unwed childbirth are on the rise. Even many families that remain intact struggle to cover basic living expenses. You might not know where to begin to help.

The Healthy Families Initiative (HFI) is a community-based collaboration between individuals, churches, and businesses focused on transforming relationships and families in the Norcross and Peachtree Corners area. Our goal is to increase healthy relationships, family formation and stability, and decrease childbearing outside of marriage.

For more information about the Healthy Families Initiative (HFI) or to register for FREE classes, visit https://foropportunity.org/initiatives/hfi/

Blue Star Family Scholarship Program

During the 2017 legislative session HB 411 was introduced by Rep. David Clark (R-Buford). It would create the Blue Star Family Scholarship Program for children of military service members, and would provide greater flexibility for students, enabling them to enroll in any school where their parents are stationed.

soldier-870387_640

We need to let military service men and women know how much we support them and their children. Please contact the House Education Sub-Committee on Education Innovation & Workforce Development to let them know you support our military!

2017 House Education Sub-Committee on Education Innovation & Workforce Development:

Rep. Sam Teasleyhttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=761&Session=25

@Sam_Teasley

Rep. Beth Beskinhttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=857&Session=25

@BethBeskin

Rep. Buzz Brockwayhttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=773&Session=25

@buzzbrockway

Rep. Mike Glantonhttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=111&Session=25

@MIkeGlanton75

Rep. Jan Jones – http://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=142&Session=25

Rep. Ed Setzlerhttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=203&Session=25

Rep. Brooks Colemanhttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=84&Session=25

Rep. David Casashttp://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=78&Session=25

@votedavidcasas

GCO is making headlines in the first quarter of 2019

GCO is proud to be a leading the way in the creation of school choice programs, state and national welfare reform, plus expanding Georgia’s labor force and business opportunities. Here are some of the conversations GCO has recently participated in: