You Can Change Your City.
Look, we get it.
We know we're called by God to serve our community and help our neighbors. But making a difference is hard.
It's overwhelming.
How can you be helpful when you don't even know where to start??
That's why we're giving you a FREE pathway to serving your community - with three key areas where you can make a huge impact.
We can do this. Together.
transforming our communities seminar
August 23rd, 2025 • 9:00a-12:30p
Cumberland Community Church - Smyrna, GA
Join us for this FREE immersive experience that will fundamentally transform how you address society's most pressing challenges. We'll deliver six powerful sessions led by renowned experts who have created measurable change in their fields.
Get equipped with...
- Actionable strategies to combat poverty at its roots, not just its symptoms
- Approaches to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health while establishing support systems that promote justice, equity, and well-being for all
- Practical frameworks for fostering meaningful partnerships with schools, enhancing their support systems and building stronger relationships
- Innovative tactics to combat poverty, focusing on financial empowerment and advocacy for systemic change.
And you DON’T want to miss our powerful panel of community leaders who will share their firsthand experiences, discussing issues & solutions for single parent families!
Let's make an impact together.
2025 Presenters
Alexandra Thompson
Executive Director, Cumberland Counseling Centers
LATE MORNING SESSION:
Mental Health, Poverty, and Social Justice – Addressing the Silent Struggle
Jackie Chism
Schools Coordinator, Cumberland Community Church
LATE MORNING SESSION:
Partnering for Impact – Supporting Schools Through Service
Nichelle Walker
Local Missions Director, Cumberland Community Church
MORNING SESSION:
Strengthening Communities Through Collaboration
Barbara Garner
Circles Cobb
MORNING SESSION:
A Community-Centered Approach to Ending Poverty
Keylan Mitchell
Circles Coach, Circles Cobb
MORNING SESSION:
A Community-Centered Approach to Ending Poverty
2025 Panelists
Karlyn Benn, LPC
Psychotherapist & Liberation Strategist
Regina White
President & CEO, Mpowerd
Barbara Garner
Circles Cobb
Sheelah Z. Gault, PMP
Panel Moderator
Schedule
As part of your registration, you’ll choose one morning session and one afternoon session to attend. This ensures you can fully engage with the topics most relevant to you while allowing us to provide a more personalized and impactful experience for all attendees.
We're glad you're joining us!
OPTION 1: Strengthening Communities Through Collaboration
Discover the transformative power of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and the principles outlined in When Helping Hurts. This session explores how to Serve With Dignity and identify the existing strengths within a community to foster meaningful change. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to empower your organization or church to engage effectively and build stronger, more united communities.
Key Topics: Community Engagement, Local Missions Ministry, Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), Serving with Dignity, Principles from "When Helping Hurts"
OPTION 2: A Community-Centered Approach to Ending Poverty
Explore a proven model that empowers local organizations—including government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based groups—to guide individuals and families toward lasting economic self-sufficiency. This session highlights practical strategies for bridging the gap between crisis intervention and sustainable transformation. Discover how to mobilize community volunteers, foster leadership development, and advocate for systemic change to dismantle barriers that perpetuate poverty. Key takeaways include tools for community collaboration, volunteer engagement, and effective advocacy to create a lasting impact.
Key Topics: Overcoming Poverty, Volunteer and Leadership Development, Established Framework, Advocacy, Community Collaboration
Hear from local leaders, and submit your own questions to help solve problems in your community.
OPTION 1: Partnering for Impact – Supporting Schools Through Service
Learn how to create impactful partnerships between schools and organizations by aligning missions, conducting needs assessments, and adopting proven strategies. This session introduces a practical framework for building supportive, mutually beneficial relationships with schools, designed to promote collaboration and measurable results. Walk away inspired to deepen your community involvement and amplify positive outcomes for both students and your organization.
Key Topics: Partnership Structure, Relationship Building, Resource Allocation, Needs Assessments, Volunteer training, Partnership Agreements
OPTION 2: Mental Health, Poverty, and Social Justice
Uncover the intricate links between poverty, social isolation, and mental health, and explore the transformative potential of integrating mental health care into community support systems. This session will delve into strategies to expand access to care, foster trauma-informed approaches, and tackle poverty-related stress while promoting resilience within communities. Participants will gain actionable insights on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating support structures that advocate for justice, equity, and well-being for all.
Key Topics: Mental health care access, trauma-informed care, poverty-related stress, community resilience, breaking the stigma around mental health.
SESSION Descriptions
Track 1: Transforming Communities with Purpose
Discover the transformative power of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and the principles outlined in When Helping Hurts. This session explores how to Serve With Dignity and identify the existing strengths within a community to foster meaningful change. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to empower your organization or church to engage effectively and build stronger, more united communities.
Key Topics: Community Engagement, Local Missions Ministry, Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), Serving with Dignity, Principles from "When Helping Hurts"
This class is designed for community & church leaders, school administrators, and non-profits! Discover practical and impactful ways churches can partner with schools to meet real needs in our community. Learn best practices, learn about what we do here at Cumberland for our local schools, and walk away with actionable ideas to begin or strengthen your church-school partnership.
Key Topics: Partnership Structure, Relationship Building, Resource Allocation, Needs Assessments, Volunteer training, Partnership Agreements
Track 2: Poverty Alleviation – Strategies for Lasting Change
Explore a proven model that empowers local organizations—including government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based groups—to guide individuals and families toward lasting economic self-sufficiency. This session highlights practical strategies for bridging the gap between crisis intervention and sustainable transformation. Discover how to mobilize community volunteers, foster leadership development, and advocate for systemic change to dismantle barriers that perpetuate poverty. Key takeaways include tools for community collaboration, volunteer engagement, and effective advocacy to create a lasting impact.
Key Topics: Overcoming Poverty, Volunteer and Leadership Development, Established Framework, Advocacy, Community Collaboration
Track 3: From Boundaries to Breakthroughs: Social Justice & Mental Health
Uncover the intricate links between poverty, social isolation, and mental health, and explore the transformative potential of integrating mental health care into community support systems. This session will delve into strategies to expand access to care, foster trauma-informed approaches, and tackle poverty-related stress while promoting resilience within communities. Participants will gain actionable insights on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating support structures that advocate for justice, equity, and well-being for all.
Key Topics: Mental health care access, trauma-informed care, poverty-related stress, community resilience, breaking the stigma around mental health.