VALDOSTA —
Fresh Start seems to have been a good idea that came to a rotten end this week. After all, there was the disappointed anger of those turned away a few weeks ago because the program lacked the manpower to handle hundreds of applications at one time. Then came those who learned Monday morning that they would not receive help because the program had run out of money.
The program could have been managed better, though it did have to travel through many channels to arrive here.
Fresh Start is a program initiated by the state Department of Human Services and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta to provide one-time financial assistance to eligible folks in need throughout the state. In Lowndes County, the Greater Valdosta United Way partnered with Lowndes Associated Ministries to People (LAMP) to administer the program.
Perhaps, more volunteers could have been tapped to handle the estimated 400 people who arrived on Fresh Start’s first day. Perhaps, more volunteers would have kept organizers from having to ask people to leave and return at a later date.
As for people waiting Monday to be told all of the funds had been spent since the prior week, perhaps organizers should have replaced the signs asking potential candidates to return Monday with signs stating there were no more funds.
A few steps could have reduced the confusion and frustration that tarred the program.
Make no mistake: Fresh Start was a good program. Valdosta-Lowndes County was fortunate to be a part of it.
Within a few weeks, 137 Lowndes County residents received an average of $1,200 to $1,300 in paying delinquent utility bills and house payments. Lowndes County received approximately $136,000, with an additional $10,000 going to neighboring Brooks, Echols, Lanier and Berrien counties.
It is good to know many people were helped in desperate times; however, a little forethought may have kept the program from appearing desperate.
What We Think
What we think: Sad end for Fresh Start
- What We Think
-
-
Leaving NCLB behind
Georgia schools may be sighing in relief today, following the announcement that the U.S. Department of Education granted a waiver to the state, along with nine others, from the rigorous requirements of the No Child Left Behind act.
-
Don’t jettison landmark
While we respect the request to relocate the F-86 aircraft from outside Mathis City Auditorium to the new Moody Air Force Base Airpark, we would hope the city and MAFB would reconsider moving it.
-
Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
-
Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
-
Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
-
Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
-
Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
-
What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
-
School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Leaving NCLB behind
