Gardens of Hope RCO

03/20/2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Peer Navigator, Alyssa Gailey, on earning her Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) certification!

This is more than a credential—it represents dedication, lived experience, and a deep commitment to walking alongside others on their recovery journey. Alyssa continues to be a light in our community, and this achievement only strengthens the impact she’s already making.

A special thank you to Georgia Council for Recovery and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for providing the training and support that makes certifications like this possible.

We’re honored to have leaders like Alyssa serving at Gardens of Hope. The work matters—and so do the people doing it.

03/20/2026

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
— C.S. Lewis

Today we celebrate another powerful milestone inside the Toombs County Jail.

This individual recently completed our 3-month peer-led WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) program—a journey focused on self-awareness, accountability, and building a foundation for lasting recovery.

What you see in this photo is more than a certificate. It represents growth, hard conversations, new tools, and a renewed sense of direction. It represents someone choosing a different path.

At Gardens of Hope RCO, we believe recovery can begin anywhere—even behind the walls—and that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future.

We’re proud of every step taken and honored to walk alongside those willing to do the work.

03/19/2026

03/17/2026

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
— John C. Maxwell

Gardens of Hope RCO was honored to attend a recent community meet and greet where we had the opportunity to connect with leaders making a difference across Georgia.

We were especially grateful to spend time with Governor Brian Kemp and personally thank him for the work he has done while in office to support the recovery community and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) throughout our state.

It means a great deal to see leadership that recognizes the importance of recovery, second chances, and building stronger, healthier communities. We look forward to continuing to work alongside others who are committed to making a lasting impact across Georgia.

03/16/2026

Parents of teens and preteens, we invite you to join the conversation.

To help support families, Toombs County Family Connection will be hosting a Facebook LIVE Teen Maze Parent Panel on Wednesday, March 18 from 12:00–1:00 PM.

During the live session, local professionals will share information and perspectives on topics that many teens face today, including bullying, va**ng, drug use, online safety, relationships, and overall teen well-being.

This will be a helpful and informative conversation designed to support parents and caregivers as we all work together to guide and encourage our youth.

📍 Join the conversation live at .

03/14/2026

We are proud of you Alyssa Gailey!

03/13/2026

“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” — John F. Kennedy

We were honored to attend the 5th Annual Georgia Farm Stress Summit at Fort Valley State University.

This important event brought together organizations and leaders from across the state to focus on improving resources, programs, and outcomes for Georgia’s farm and rural families impacted by addiction and mental health challenges.

We had a great time connecting with our friends from the Georgia Council for Recovery and were glad to run into a local nonprofit doing great work in our community, Southeast Non-Profit Housing Inc. Opportunities like this remind us how powerful collaboration can be when organizations come together with a shared purpose.

In a state where agriculture is our number one industry, supporting the wellbeing of farm families is essential.

A special thank you to the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance for hosting such a meaningful summit and bringing so many partners together.

03/12/2026

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew

A big thank you to an incredible group of volunteers from KSU Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery who spent time serving with Gardens of Hope RCO this week!

They worked hard getting the grounds looking amazing at our location at Lyons Garden Club, and even created a beautiful butterfly garden filled with colorful flowers that will bring life and beauty to the space for seasons to come.

But they didn’t stop there. They also wrapped up their week by serving at Southeast Georgia Communities Project, helping organize their clothing bank so it can better serve individuals and families in need.

We are truly grateful for volunteers who show up ready to work and serve the commUNITY. Your time, effort, and heart made a real difference this week. Thank you for being a part of the mission.

03/12/2026

Our new greenhouse was delivered this week, and we’re excited about the opportunities it will create for growth, learning, and connection in our commUNITY.

A big thank you to Altamaha EMC and Memorial Health Meadows Hospital for their generous contributions that made this possible, and to Robin Builders for building and delivering the greenhouse.



We’re grateful for partners who believe in the work happening at Gardens of Hope RCO.

03/12/2026

“Recovery is built on hope, but hope grows strongest when a community stands behind it.” — William White

Gardens of Hope was honored to participate in the Georgia Overdose Prevention Partnership (GOPP) convening in Atlanta this week. We were proud to attend alongside Captain Amanda Brown of the Toombs County Sheriff's Office as part of our continued collaboration to strengthen recovery and overdose prevention efforts in our commUNITY.

Throughout the meeting, we had the opportunity to connect with partners from across the state who are working on the front lines of prevention, treatment, recovery support, and public safety. The sessions focused on strengthening community coalitions, sharing evidence-based strategies, and building partnerships between public health and law enforcement — work that aligns closely with the mission we carry out every day at Gardens of Hope.

It was an awesome experience learning from others, sharing ideas, and building relationships that will help bring more resources, hope, and recovery support back to rural Georgia.

A special thank you to the CDC Foundation for hosting such a well-organized and impactful event. They did an incredible job bringing together partners who are committed to saving lives and strengthening communities across Georgia.

We’re grateful to be part of this statewide effort and thankful for partners like Captain Amanda Brown and the Toombs County Sheriff’s Department who are committed to making a difference.

03/12/2026

Today, we would like to recognize Jail Administrator Amanda Brown’s 21st year of service with the Toombs County Sheriff's Office. Amanda began her service in 1997 as a dispatcher for the 911 Dispatch Center until 2001. After a few years of working in the community, Amanda returned to the Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a Dispatcher. In 2011, Amanda transferred to the Detention Center. She now serves our citizens and the Sheriff as the Jail Administrator at the Charles Durst Detention Center. Amanda is responsible for managing the Jail Division. We look forward to many more years of service and continued leadership from Amanda. Thank you, Jail Administrator Brown, for your continued dedication to the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of our county.