Meet the Back Cover Sponsors

Award-winning OWA Parks & Resort in Coastal Alabama is a 520-acre property owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The family-friendly resort's name is derived from a Creek word for "big water," and the tropical theme of the 520-acre property was inspired by the Gulf of Mexico, minutes away via the Foley Beach Express. At the heart of OWA is Tropic Falls with its ride-focused theme park, outdoor wave pool (coming soon) and the region's largest indoor water park, covered by a convertible roof. Just outside the ticketed areas is Downtown OWA. This pedestrian-only streetscape was inspired by Southern small towns and features a familypleasing range of dining, shopping and entertainment. With its own award-winning TownePlace Suites by Marriott, OWA Parks & Resort is Coastal Alabama's favorite place to thrill, then chill.

MCCALLA ORTHODONTICS & PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

At McCalla Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Olga Sanchez Hernandez and staff, provide dental care for patients from the ages of 1 to 18 years of age, and handicapped patients. Our services include preventive, restorative, and emergency treatment. Dr. Sanchez Hernandez also provides orthodontic treatment for children and adults.

We combine pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to allow for all the dental needs of our patients to be met under one roof. The dental services needed are provided, while at the same time the development of an adequate occlusion is monitored closely. This allows for orthodontic treatment to be provided in a timely manner increasing the quality of service. Our staff operates as a team and is committed to high quality service with emphasis on individual needs in a comfortable environment.

Our hygienists are especially qualified to deal with children and adolescent specific needs. All of our personnel are kept abreast of the latest developments through continuing education courses. Come visit our website at www.mccallasmiles.com and take a virtual tour of our office.

ALABAMA FAMILY TRUST

Providing for the future needs of loved ones who live with disabilities can be complicated if they qualify for government benefits. The Alabama Family Trust Corporation can help by serving as trustee of a special needs trust that is approved by the Social Security Administration and the Medicaid Agency for SSI and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Created by state law, AFT serves beneficiaries of any age and accepts initial deposits as small as $1,500. The unpaid Board of Trustees and the outstanding administrative, finance, and tax AFT staff members have the experience and dedication to AFT’s goals to understand the unique needs of your loved one and the challenges that face care givers. Their knowledge ensures that trust funds are used solely for your loved one’s benefit for goods and services that government benefits do not cover. You can be confident that the trust is managed to maintain benefits eligibility and that trust assets are protected from financial exploitation and fraud.

Whether you need a means to provide for a loved one now or at your death with your own funds, or your loved one receives funds of their own, you can place funds in an AFT trust so that government benefits are retained. In addition, the AFT Charitable Trust can help meet the special needs of your loved one after the assets of the individual trust are exhausted.

You deserve something special when it comes to your photos. I am someone who connects easily with people and I want them to feel comfortable getting their photos taken. After all, I believe that the best smile is a natural smile.

Photography should capture the individualism of a person. I am very creative, have photo editing expertise, integrity and high energy to capture and preserve your moments for years to come. Every family, couple and child is different and I value the time, patience and energy that goes into your photography session.

I have flexible options to help you select the best collection of services for you and your budget. Contact me today for a consultation. I look forward to meeting and working with you and I look forward to helping you preserve this special moment in your life and capturing your memories to make them last forever!

Gadsden and Etowah County, ideally-situated in northeast Alabama along the Coosa River and at the foot of Lookout Mountain, are full of outdoor fun. View the majestic 90-foot Noccalula Falls, ride the train or play mini-golf at Noccalula Falls Park. Mountain-bike or hike the Black Creek Trails, fight spotted-bass on Neely Henry Lake, flick a fly for Rainbow Trout on Black Creek, or go for a birdie at Twin Bridges or Silver Lakes golf courses.

Festivals like Glencoe’s Celebration in the Park or Attalla’s Heritage Day, along with Gadsden’s First Fridays will keep you busy throughout the year. Make sure to put the first Thursday through Sunday in August on your calendar so you won’t miss the “World’s Longest Yard Sale!” This historic sale begins at Noccalula Falls Park and travels up Scenic Lookout Mountain Parkway to Chattanooga and beyond for over 600 miles to Michigan. Bargain hunters and yard-sale junkies travel across the U.S. to Gadsden for this funderful sale each year! Come visit us!

The Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) offers talented students from across Alabama an exemplary specialty-focused education without the burden of tuition. A state-funded public school with both day and boarding options, ASFA takes a deep-dive approach to education in creative writing, dance, mathscience, music, theatre arts, and visual arts. Passionate and engaged students find a home at ASFA alongside peers who share a singular focus on their disciplines and are guided by supportive faculty members who are accomplished professionals in their own right. After spending each morning on robust academic coursework that exceeds state high school diploma standards, students devote sustained hours every day to honing their craft, flexing their creativity, and developing their unique voice within their chosen discipline. Our graduates build on the creative habits of mind they develop at ASFA to establish successful careers in a wide array of fields, serving as innovative leaders, cultural champions, and role models for future generations.

www.greatergadsden.com

www.bct123.org (205) 252-9241 www.asfaschool.org

Birmingham, AL 35203

THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is a centerpiece in the state of Alabama’s marine research and education programs and a center for transformative oceanic and coastal research. DISL programs reach all corners of the state and beyond to research and educate about the changes in the marine environments. Located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island, a barrier island in the northern Gulf of Mexico, DISL is surrounded by Mobile Bay, the Mississippi Sound, and the waters of the Gulf, making it a perfect location to conduct a wide range of marine science activity.

DISL’s Discovery Hall Programs include academic year classes for K-12 students, summer overnight and day camps, professional development workshops, and public outreach. The BayMobile, DISL’s traveling science classroom, visits underserved schools throughout the state of Alabama which do not have the opportunity or the means to visit the DISL on a field trip.

The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab highlights the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

DISL’s University Programs consists of two parts: summer undergraduate and graduate courses and year-round graduate programs. The summer program consists of three summer sessions with about two dozen courses offered. The graduate program offers a variety of disciplines for Ph.D. and master students to choose from as they continue their studies.

ALABAMA GAME CHANGERS

• Comprehensive diagnostic medical, neuropsychological \ psychological evaluations for learning disabilities • Speech and Language evaluation\ intervention • Occupational Therapy evaluation\ intervention • Psychological services: counseling, IEE, parent coaching. • Therapeutic Classrooms • In person and online neurodevelopmental reading remediation • College and adult literacy interventions • Educational workshops for parents and educators • Advocacy and support services

We accept referrals from pediatricians, parents and schools.

At AGC our motto is “Failure is NOT an option”.

Take a tour@

Failure is not an option! www.alabamagamechangers.org 205-364-2347

2111 Parkway Office Circle, Suite 150 Hoover AL. 35244