The Start of a New Week at SVdP Atlanta

Well it's Monday again and we're ready to start another week at SVdP Atlanta.  I thought that you might be interested in getting an idea of what the week ahead entails for us here.  So I'm going going to 'take you behind the curtain' and let you be part of our morning.

This morning we started the week with our weekly staff update.  Everyone gives each other an update on what's scheduled in each department so that we can each know how scheduled activity is going to impact us.  Usually it's safe to say that about half of what occurs during the week is proactive and half is reactive.  That's about normal and expected for an organization like ours.  The "fun" starts when that reactive percent climbs based on unanticipated issues and activities.

Our Stores Director Kevin reports that we just signed the new lease on Friday to expand our Kennesaw Thrift Store into a new 10,000 sq. ft. space.  Now that we've committed to the space there will be quite a bit of physical work on it before we actually move in.  Thankfully the majority of that work will be done by our "volunteer army" with support from local groups like the Knights of Columbus and Kennesaw State University (Go Owls!) students.  Exciting time ahead!

We've also got a new Thrift Store Manager for the Dallas, GA store starting training today.

Communications Programs Manager Caryn is getting ready for our benefit concert Wednesday night with the Argentinian group "Tres de Guitarras Domine" who will be performing at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta.  This group, through the generous efforts of the Argentinian Consulate, is performing free to benefit the work of SVdP Atlanta.  In addition, Caryn is getting ready for the printing and mailing of invitations for our 5th Annual Evening for Hope on October 15th at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta.

The Vincentian Support Department is operating without its Director, Brian, who is off on a well earned and deserved vacation in Florida with his family.  But Louise and Tiffany are stepping in to continue the work of that department including the delivery of our Vincentian University programs, including the Leadership Workshop this week.

The Finance and Development offices are deeply engaged in grant reporting and management and preparation for the anticipated release of over $100,000 in EFSP funding to us.  This funding will be used to directly support people in need with housing, uniltriy, and food assistance across North and Middle Georgia.

Client Support department efforts are focused on delivery of services at the four Family Support Centers, continuing growth and management of the Food Distribution Program (including the addition of a new partner this week) and process and procedures for monitoring of the EFSP funds mentioned above.

I have a busy week ahead of me, starting with a meeting tonight with the Governor and Mayor on transportation issues and then partner meetings the rest of the week.  On Wednesday night I'll be with the Argentine Counsel General at the concert in Marietta and o Thursday night I'll travel to Jasper, GA to bid farewell and offer my thanks to our District 8 President as he leaves us to move to Arizona.

So, I hope this gave you a little taste of what a week around here is like.  There's never a dull moment at SVdP Atlanta.

John