Gardens of Hope RCO

04/29/2026

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” — Dean Karnazes

Big shoutout to our newest team member, Becky Dominguez! 🏃‍♀️💨

Becky came in strong and took home the win at the Vidalia Onion Run 5K—what a way to represent!

Not only is she fast on her feet, but she’s got a heart for people. Becky will be serving as a Peer Specialist in both our youth and adult programming here at Gardens of Hope, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have her on the squad.

From the starting line to the front lines of recovery—she’s already making an impact. Let’s go, Becky!

04/28/2026

“Meet people where they’re at, not where we want them to be.” — (Peer support principle)

Gardens of Hope RCO was proud to join forces with Bread of Heaven Outreach Inc. for the recent food drive in Soperton. It was an awesome opportunity to come together and serve the community in a real, hands-on way.

While helping distribute food, we were also able to provide 31 Narcan kits along with information about the recovery services and peer support available through Gardens of Hope. That’s what it’s all about—meeting people where they’re at and making sure they have the tools, resources, and support they need.

Grateful for partnerships that make a difference and for every chance to show up for our commUNITY!

04/28/2026

“Recovery is not a journey you take alone—it’s a path we build together.” — Johann Hari

Always good when paths cross with people doing the work in region 5.

While attending the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust training in Statesboro, we had the chance to bump into Catherine Tootle from Freedom Through Recovery: The Susan Ford Recovery Community Organization and Trish Tootle. Moments like that remind us just how connected this recovery commUNITY really is.

We’re proud to be recipients of Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust (GOCAT) funding, which is currently helping power our transportation program—making sure individuals in long-term recovery can get to and from recovery-related appointments when it matters most.

Grateful to be in rooms where solutions are being built and to be part of a network that continues to show up, collaborate, and push this work forward.

Thank you Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for equipping us with the knowledge to properly submit a successful grant application.

04/26/2026

“We do recover—and because of that, we get to build lives worth celebrating.” — Unknown

Today at Gardens of Hope RCO was all about celebrating what truly made this moment possible—“Recovery.”

Our community already knows about the marriage, but today we honored the longterm recovery time behind it. The years shown on the sign aren’t just numbers—they represent perseverance, healing, accountability, and a commitment to a new way of life. Without that foundation, none of this would exist.

Please join us in congratulating our Executive Director, Jimbo Partin, and Paige Partin. Their story is a powerful reminder that when recovery is a priority, everything else can follow.

04/24/2026

“The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.” — Unknown

Today, we want to take a moment to recognize someone who has meant so much to all of us here at Gardens of Hope.

Jada Braddock, CPS-AD, CARES, CPS-Y has been a true light in our community. From helping launch Sources of Strength in Toombs County Schools, to mentoring youth at both Vidalia and Toombs alternative schools, to being instrumental in getting the Lions Quest program started through Gardens of Hope—her impact has been felt far and wide.

She has also made a powerful difference through her work at the Toombs County Detention Center, and as a Certified WRAP Facilitator, helping individuals build recovery plans rooted in hope and self-direction.

Jada has poured her heart into the people we serve, building trust, offering hope, and showing up day in and day out with compassion and purpose.

As she steps into a new career path, we want her to know just how grateful we are. She’s more than a colleague—she’s a friend, a peer, and a part of our family.

We are incredibly proud of her and know without a doubt she’s going to be amazing at whatever she does next.

Jada, you mean a lot to all of us, and we love you dearly. Thank you for everything you’ve given to Gardens of Hope and this commUNITY!

04/24/2026

Shaw is proud to help set the standard for employers to offer meaningful programs and tools to address substance use as an ambassador for the Georgia Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative (GROW). Shaw is one of ten employers acting as ambassadors for the initiative and hosted the first training on April 1. GROW is designed to increase opportunities for those in recovery from substance use and assist Georgia employers in creating supportive programs and work environments.

04/23/2026

04/23/2026

Y’all come out, enjoy the festival, and don’t forget—connection is what makes recovery possible!!

📅 Thursday, April 23

Sweet Onion Rings & Things
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Hwy 280 East at Jackson Street South

PAL Theatre Documentary
1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
PAL Theatre | 122 Church St., Vidalia

Carnival
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Behind Arts & Crafts on Airport Rd.

Downtown Vendors
3:00 PM until end of street dance
Downtown Vidalia

⸻

📅 Friday, April 24

Tales from the Altamaha
7:00 PM
Blue Marquee Theater | 121 N. State St., Lyons

Sweet Onion Showdown – Bulls, Broncs & Barrels
6:00 PM – Gates Open
8:00 PM – Show Starts
529 Quint Shrine Road, Lyons

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📅 Saturday, April 25

2026 Annual Vidalia Onion Run
7:00 AM – 10K Run
7:15 AM – 5K Run/Walk Start
8:00 AM – 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Downtown Vidalia (Church St. & 2nd St.)

Air Show
9:00 AM – Gates Open
12:00 PM – Show Starts
Vidalia Regional Airport

Arts & Crafts Show
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Airport Rd. off Hwy 280, Vidalia

Sweet Shopping
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Vidalia’s Historic District and beyond

Carnival
10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Behind Arts & Crafts on Airport Rd.

Vidalia Onion Recipe Contest & Public Tasting
11:30 AM – Public Tasting
Community Center | 107 Old Airport Rd., Vidalia

World Famous Onion Eating Contest
4:00 PM – Competition Begins
Inside Arts & Crafts Show on Airport Rd.

Layered Flavors: The Art of Pairing the Vidalia Onion
5:30 PM – Doors Open
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
PAL Theatre | 122 Church St., Vidalia

Tales from the Altamaha
2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Blue Marquee Theater | Lyons

Sweet Onion Showdown – Bulls, Broncs & Barrels
6:00 PM – Gates Open
8:00 PM – Show Starts
529 Quint Shrine Road, Lyons

⸻

📅 Sunday, April 26

Air Show
9:00 AM – Gates Open
12:00 PM – Show Begins
Vidalia Regional Airport

Arts & Crafts Show
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Airport Rd. (across from Vidalia Community Center)

Carnival
12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Behind Arts & Crafts on Airport Rd.

⸻

We’re proud to be part of a recovering commUNITY that shows up, supports one another, and celebrates together.