Communities In Schools of Catoosa County is hosting its first Family Night at Cloud Springs Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 4.
Described as a miniature Catoosa Kids Day, the inaugural event will connect local families to resources in the community that they may not have known existed.
With CIS already heavily involved in cities like Ringgold, Tammie Walker, supervisor of the organization's Parents as Teachers Program, said the event will be focused on families in the Fort Oglethorpe and Rossville areas, especially those who are at or below the poverty line.
"We're just trying to give them resources so they know what is available right here in their community that they can take part in to either use for themselves or to give back or to better themselves in some way, shape or form."
The event will feature more than 10 organizations, with each providing a bit of entertainment as well as pertinent information.
In addition to setting up a booth and hosting an activity, for example, the Rossville Public Library will let attendees know that it has activities like a reading night every week. Ringgold Early Headstart, meanwhile, will let parents know about opportunities that could enable a child to enroll in the school readiness program at no cost. United Way of Northwest Georgia will also be in attendance, providing health screenings for children to determine where they are in their development.
"Every booth that will be there will have something to offer you," Walker said. "This is all pertaining to what our families are already dealing with."
Among the organizations in attendance will also be North Georgia Healthcare Center, answering health care and insurance questions, and a few local churches, showcasing their offerings such as Bible schools for kids and Bible studies.
"All of these partners want to help the community," said Walker. "That's what they're there for."
Walker invites all out for what she hopes will become a yearly event.
The night will begin at 6 p.m. and wrap up around 8 p.m.
Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com.