Well, it's time for Community Corner,
where we're going to highlight stories
that teach, inspire and help uso
learn a little bit more about or
neighbors here in metro Atlanta.
I'm Ron Jones. First,
a Douglas County woman who has spent years
helping people battle substance abuses.
Receiving some love from her own community,
Flooding left extensive damage to the
offices of the Never Alone Clubhouse.
And that's when local businesses decided
to pitch in free of charge 11 l.
Karis Belger has that heartwarming story.
Jocelyn Wallace spent the past r
months trying to keep the doorsn
at the Never Alone Clubhouse. Wd
lost a lot and there was a lot of damage,
but we continued to serve the
community from from January 4th until,
you know, this past week.
Her organization provides suppoo
those struggling with substance abuse,
offering everything from counseling to meals,
support programs and meeting sp.
I had opioid use disorder for over 26 years.
And Recovery has given me a platform to
share my story and a message of hope.
Flooding in January damaged Wallace's
building in Douglasville, wheree
hosts her addiction recovery program.
Floodwaters ruined the floors and more.
We lost ceiling and in the front
and insulation and some of the
wall covering that we had.
It was just a real devastation
of a loss for us Today.
The center looks much different.
The once saturated concrete is w
a work of art. You see dragonfls
represented in the floor and
that those dragonflies represent
transformation and change, thans
in part to Eric. Witcher told
her that I was just going
to donate her a floor.
Eric got a call from Jocelyn's
mother about the project and
he was determined to help.
So then I posted it on Facebook.
We had people. All all around te
United States, you know, reaching out,
including Alan Reed,
a Craftsman, and Isaiah Pride,
a Pennsylvania based designer.
Both were motivated by their own
connection to Jocelyn's work.
So I was inspired
to be involved in the project
because I can relate.
To a lot of what they are doing,
it was Pride who designed the artwork
and helped put the finish on the floor,
something he hopes will make
a difference to everyone.
Jocelyn lends a hand to. Only
they who have been in darkness can see
the light. Once
everything is finished,
Jocelyn is hoping to expand
the services in her building
so she can provide showers,
washing machines and other necessities
for people facing homelessness
and working through recovery.
Right now, food insecurity is oe
of the biggest problems that wee
seeing here in metro Atlanta.
But a new donation is providing
families with some much needed relief.
So we were there as Kroger
donated $10,000 to the nonprofit
organization Caring for Others.
So the organization is based in
South Atlanta, but the donations
reach families all across the s.
We had a chance to speak with
the founder and the CEO about
what drives her to help others
and when you. Are here in a plae
like the United States of America that
has just about everything and te
food not being there. It bother.
So I am glad that we are able
to help you whatever way we can.
By the way, caring for others
tells 11 Alive that they embrace
the donation with love and they
hope that this relationship with
Kroger will last a long time.
How cool is this?
A Bartow County middle schooler created
a flag that was adopted in Frankfort.
IN we're talking about Redmond Porter.
He designed and created this flag right here.
Frankfort IN is the first city
to adopt one of Redmond's flags
and it is also his birth state.
The 12 year old loves flags and he sent
several designs to states across the country.
In addition, he's made flags for
Georgia and the city of Atlanta.
Unfortunately, no Georgia lawmas
have given him a call back.
Redmond recently visited Frankft
to see his flag adopted.
It gives people a sense of city pride,
I feel, and they can like,
really help the community when
they have pride for their own c.
I mean, I just think it's interesting.
You can see maps of places you'e
never even been there before.
It's like you can know what that city
looks like without ever going t.
You know Redmond's flag will fly outside
the city of Frankfort IN The flg
enthusiast is excited to go back to Indiana
on vacation just to see his creation.
Right now, high school seniors across metro
Atlanta have their sights set on graduation,
whether their next step is college or a job.
As 11 Alive's Liza Lucas report,
one Atlanta nonprofit organization is working
to make sure everyone has an opportunity,
especially when it comes to the
city's growing tech industry.
From building a network to
cybersecurity, students Ron,
Darius and Michael are learningt
it takes to work in the field of tech.
Usually the physical apps
are my favorite parts.
We connect routers, we build ca.
The training all part of a new program
run by the Bobby Dodd Institute.
But the work happening in the
nonprofit's classrooms not a
typical introduction to it.
So the Ridge Academy, it's realy
one-of-a-kind in Atlanta.
It's it specific for
individuals with disabilities.
The 20 week. Program is completely free,
accessible training on the skils
needed to get a job in the IT industry,
the nonprofit aiming to bridge e
gap for those living with disabilities
who may face barriers to employ.
As we entered the pandemic,
we saw a greater need for robust networks.
There's a lot of remote work going on,
and then learned that there
were thousands of IT jobs.
Vacant in the metro Atlanta area
to help students tap into those jobs,
the program not only focuses on
the technical side of training,
but soft skills like interview readiness.
It can be challenging,
though. But will you learn?
But will you learn it?
You'll get the better
hang of it, and
while job placement is the ultimate goal,
resources extend long after stus
get 18 months of mentoring and p
to ensure success in the workpl.
The self esteem, the self-confie
that we're seeing through the
process is just amazing, and seg
that support translate to
success can be life changing for
students and everyone involved.
That's worth every minute that
we spend doing what we do.
Right now, applications for the next session
are open and you can find a lote
information on our website 11alive.com.
And finally, we just want to wia
long time 11 alive viewer Ellen Maxine
Pritchard A happy 100th birthda.
Ellen has lived in Forsyth
County for almost 20 years.
Now she's planning a birthday py
on May 13th and coming more than
150 people are expected to show.