Gardens of Hope RCO

10/31/2025

“Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves.” — Elvis Duran

This morning, Gardens of Hope RCO joined in on all the fun at the Downtown Lyons Pre-K Trick or Treat! Our team showed up as Scooby-Doo and the gang, spreading smiles, candy, and a message of hope, recovery, and connection. 💜

We love being part of commUNITY events that bring people together — because when we connect, we can solve any mystery… even the mystery of addiction. 🧩💫

10/31/2025

“Ruh-roh! Looks like we solved another mystery — addiction can’t hide when there’s connection!”
— Gardens of Hope RCO

The Gardens of Hope RCO team had a groovy time at the Trick or Treat event held at the Toombs County Courthouse! We showed up as the gang from Scooby-Doo, spreading a fun and powerful message — that the real mystery to solve in our community is addiction, and the answer lies in connection, compassion, and hope.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, grabbed some candy, and shared some smiles! Together, we can unmask the stigma and keep building a stronger, more connected commUNITY. 🧩💪

10/30/2025

Wow 65 pounds of medication!!

10/29/2025

10/28/2025

"Every young person deserves the chance to be seen for who they can become, not who they once were."
- Unknown

🌟 Empowering Youth, Building Futures! 🌟

Last week our very own Jada Braddock, Certified Peer Specialist–Youth with Gardens of Hope RCO, joined Lion Ashley Garner and Lion Amy Cruz also with Gardens of Hope RCO in Madisonville, Kentucky, to witness the incredible Lions Quest program in action! 🦁

Lions Quest, a global youth development initiative of Lions Clubs International, focuses on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)—helping young people build essential life skills such as self-awareness, relationship-building, and responsible decision-making.

They attended the 4th Lions Quest graduation hosted by Madisonville Lions Club , where Program Director Faith Shelton shared inspiring stories of how the program is transforming lives and strengthening communities through compassion, connection, and service. 💛

Here at Gardens of Hope RCO, we’re proud to be partnered with Lyons Lions Club of Lyons, GA to implement the Lions Quest curriculum within our local juvenile court circuit, integrating peer support and mentorship to help youth make positive choices and build a strong foundation for their futures. 🌱

10/27/2025

🌟 Montgomery County Community Forum 🌟

The Toombs, Montgomery, & Wheeler Long-Term Recovery Group invites all homeowners still experiencing structural damage from Hurricane Helene to join us for an important Community Forum to learn about and sign up for free assistance with repairs and rebuilding.

📅 Tuesday, October 28, 2025
🕡 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church
120 McGregor St., Mt. Vernon, GA 30445

Come meet recovery partners and find out how you can get connected to available resources and support in our community.

📞 For more information, contact Amy at 912-454-1953 or amy.tmw.ltrg@gmail.com

Special thanks to the United Way and the American Red Cross for helping make this community forum possible. ❤️

10/27/2025

We’re so proud of our partnership with the Lyons Lions Club of Lyons, GA to help make Lions Quest possible in our commUNITY! 🌱💛 Huge shoutout to our team — Ashley Garner, Amy Cruz, and Jada Braddock, CPS-Y — for representing Gardens of Hope RCO and supporting this incredible program that’s empowering youth through peer support and leadership development. 🦁✨

10/24/2025

“No one wakes up wanting to be addicted — that’s why it’s important to stop it early on.” — Jacob Brannon

🎗️ Red Ribbon Week at Vidalia High School! 🎗️

We’re so proud of our Certified Peer Specialist–Youth, Jacob Brannon, for representing Gardens of Hope RCO during Red Ribbon Week at Vidalia High School! 🌟

Jacob had the opportunity to speak with students about recognizing the signs of an overdose, how Narcan can reverse it and save lives, and Georgia 911 Good Samaritan Law. He also shared the truth about the harmful effects of va**ng at a young age and how early choices can shape our future.

At Gardens of Hope RCO, we’re honored to be part of events like this that spread awareness, encourage prevention, and inspire hope. ❤️

10/22/2025

This month we hosted the Georgia Healthy Farmer Mindset virtual meeting direct from the Sunbelt Ag Expo and we appreciated the use of an office in their building to do so. We especially appreciate Greg Sikes, Wade McElveen, and Nicole Gonsahn sharing their perspectives as producers. The YouTube recording is well worth a listen if you want to better understand challenges faced by our Georgia farmers:
https://youtu.be/ex3B_Be1VQE

Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center Mercer University School of Medicine Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Georgia Farm Bureau UGA Extension Georgia Peanuts CareSource AgriSafe Network

10/21/2025

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” — B.B. King

🌟 What an awesome day! 🌟
Gardens of Hope RCO had an amazing time connecting with Certified Peer Specialists from across the state — representing both the substance use and mental health fields — at the CPS Cross Connect event! 💚

This training not only helps us earn the CEUs needed to keep our certifications active, but it also strengthens our skills so we can better serve our commUNITY with compassion, knowledge, and hope. 🌱

Special thanks to Georgia Council for Recovery, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network and Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc for making this possible!

10/21/2025

📣 Toombs County Kinship Caregiver Support Group
Join us Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 PM at 125 Church St., Suite 104, Vidalia, GA for our next kinship caregiver meeting!

💡 Program: CPR & First Aid Training
👨‍🏫 Facilitated by Robert Tillman
🍽️ Dinner and childcare provided!

Kinship care provides vital support for children being raised by relatives or close family friends. This month’s session will equip caregivers with essential life-saving skills while connecting with others who share similar experiences.

📱 To attend, simply text 912-293-3775 to RSVP.

10/20/2025

🎉🌟 We’re excited to share that Gardens of Hope RCO won 3rd Place in the Downtown Lyons Lamppost Decoration Contest! 🌟🎉

A huge thank you to the Lyons Main Street for putting on such a fun and festive event — and to everyone who stopped by to admire the decorations and show support! 💚

We loved getting into the holiday spirit and being part of a commUNITY that always comes together to make downtown shine. ✨