The NEED FOR AFTERSCHOOL
FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEMS STUDENTS FACE TODAY
Connection
students said they do Not feel connected to others at school 332
“Strengthening the social fabric of our communities is essential in order to improve the health of people and communities and must be a national priority. Addressing loneliness is as vital to protecting our health as addressing obesity, tobacco, or addiction.”
– Dr. Vivek Murthy, The U.S. Surgeon General
Mental Health
795 students said they have felt depressed, sad, or withdrawn for 10 or more days of the last month
231 students said they have seriously considered attempting suicide on 1-2 occasions in the last year
In the 2023 Surgeon General’s Advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned about the public health crisis that loneliness, isolation, and disconnection pose to the American public. Disconnection fundamentally affects our mental, physical, and societal health. In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental and physical health challenges in their lives.
Lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
Lacking social connection
Smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily
Drinking 6 alcoholic drinks daily
Physical
Obesity
Air
334 students said they have seriously considered Harming themselves on purpose 1-2 occasions in the last year
159 students said they have attempted suicide at least one time in the last year
Will you LIFT up one student at a time so they can LIFT their community?
oved as you are nspired to be more ound in community rusted to make a difference
Students felt LIFT was a safe space
Students discovered new interests or skills at LIFT
Students made a new friend at LIFT
Students said LIFT has helped them become a better leader *
Join LIFT as we work to increase our impact in Catoosa County by way of a two-phase Expansion Project. Phase 1 will involve LIFT launching a new facility in Fort Oglethorpe, the R. Randall Rollins Youth Center and Phase 2 will include the expansion of the Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center in Ringgold. Additionally, LIFT is focused on sustainability through the launch and growth of LIFT Youth Center, Inc.’s endowment. We hope you join us so that we can fully serve 6th-12th grade students county-wide with free afterschool programming and support.
MISSION:
Creating opportunities for students to be Loved as they are, Inspired to be more, Found in community, and Trusted to make a difference.
Vision:
LIFT provides afterschool youth centers for 6th-12th grade Catoosa County students, where we foster an environment of inclusion, positive self-worth, and self-discovery within our youth while facilitating inner growth to prepare them for future success.
The NEED In Catoosa County
55% of parents in Georgia say they did not enroll their child in an afterschool program because “Programs are too expensive” 1
Community Needs: 2023 Feasibility Study
62% of students not engaged afterschool
66% were interested in attending LIFT 61% Qualify for free or reduced lunch
66% of HMS/HHS/LMS/LFO students said they would need some kind of transportation to attend LIFT.
76% SAID
Catoosa County students are in need of Youth Centers where additional support services are offered.
43% SAID
they personally know students who are dealing with life-threatening struggles.
66% SAID
they believe there are many students who do not have enough connection/ friendships in their lives.
to attend a Youth Center they would need there to be NO COST required. 54% SAID 2
Three yeaR snapshot, 2021-2024
1,350 500 Hours of Afterschool Programming Days of Afterschool Programming
910
22,392 Different students
Total number of student visits afterschool
“LIFT is an amazing helpful place for people. I’ve had amazing experiences here. I would tell others to remember to be yourself, make friends, and have fun. – LIFT Student
54% of LIFT Students qualify for free or reduced lunch
* Percentage for the 2023-2024 school year.
87,929 Snacks served
R.E.A.C.H. afterschool Workshops
2,005 Total R.E.A.C.H. Workshops
510 students engaged in Recreation 401 students engaged in Education
• Basketball & Other Sports
• Board & Yard Games
• Game Room
404 students engaged in ART 462 students engaged in Community 468 students engaged in Health • STEM • Career Exploration • Spanish/ASL 101 • Financial Literacy • Photography
Guitar Lessons
Sewing • Artistic Medium Workshops • Service Projects • Team Building • Student Leadership • Social Emotional Learning
• Physical Fitness
• Healthy Cooking • Suicide Prevention
Where we have been
LIFT began as a concept developed by a handful of friends in March of 2018 out of a recognition that our county was missing a needed resource. With no Boys and Girls Club or county-wide afterschool options for middle and high schoolers, there was a large gap in services, especially for students in low-income families, those who feel ostracized for some reason, and those without extracurricular connections or community. LIFT formed a founding Board of Directors and became a 501 (c)(3) on July 8, 2018. We chose to target Catoosa County 6th-12th grade students, as existing afterschool care stops after 5th grade. LIFT supports students through Positive Youth Development at an afterschool youth center, open any time school is in session.
Our Board worked diligently for 2 years to lay a solid foundation, as we wanted to ensure that LIFT would be sustainable and not just launch but become a long-lasting pillar of student support in our community. LIFT opened the doors of the Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center in August of 2021 and began providing free afterschool programming using our strategic philosophy to programming, what we call our R.E.A.C.H. (Recreation, Education, Art, Community, and Health). The first year open providing free afterschool programming was a huge success, serving 391 different students afterschool, that clearly indicated we are filling a need in our community. We quickly reached capacity, and after writing a three-year strategic plan it became clear that expansion was necessary.
Grand Opening of the Aug. 2021
LIFT became a 501 (c)(3) July 2018
Completed Second Year, served 393 different students May 2023
May 2022
Completed First Year, served 391 different students
Groundbreaking for the Fall 2024
May 2024
Completed Third Year, served 397 different students
Completed Fourth Year, served 400+ different students May 2025
Where we are going
Since its inception in 2018, LIFT has seen an amazing community response as LIFT has risen to meet a significant gap in services for 6th-12th grade students in Catoosa County. LIFT’s two-phase Expansion Project will allow LIFT to double our impact, remove barriers to service, and provide needed afterschool support to Catoosa County middle and high school students.
LIFT will be spending the next three years working diligently to complete this project and we hope that you join us in giving more students opportunities to be Loved as they are, Inspired to be more, Found in community, and Trusted to make a difference.
Grand Opening for the Fall 2025
Serve an estimated 800 different students county-wide May 2026
Groundbreaking for the expansion of the Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center Fall 2025
Serve an estimated 1000 different students county-wide May 2027
Grand Opening of the newly renovated Fall 2026
LIFT Youth Center, Inc. Leadership
Board of directors
brandon bell, mja
board President/ chief law enforcement officer/ adjunct college professor
Tammy Thatcher
Board Treasurer/ high school teacher
Melody Nichols
RETIRED EDUCATOR/ FORMER CEA PRESIDENT
Marlin Gines, PE
Department Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Ambassadors
Nick millwood
mayor of ringgolD LIFT Ringgold Ambassador
John Francis, MSSW
board vice President/ Retired Executive Director
babs bell
Board Secretary
Jessie Thornton
OWNER AND FOUNDER, JESSIE THORNTON’S UNITED KARATE STUDIO, INC.
Sherry Vaughn, MSW
Masters in social work/Yoga Instructor
Paula stinnett
City of fort Oglethorpe council lady
LIFT FORT OGLEthorpe ambassador
Fort Oglethorpe Advisory Council
Andy Johnson
Catoosa County DFCS Director
Cris Cusac
CFO, Cusell Marketing
Amy Faulkner
Fort Oglethorpe Business Owner
Lynn Fant, msn rn emc
Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis
Ben Friberg
Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, catoosa county of commerce board chairman
Tammy Hardin
Catoosa County Juvenile Court Administrator
Tina Pinkston
LIFT Executive Director
Keith Sewell
Fort Oglethorpe Chief of Police
Paula Stinnett
City of fort Oglethorpe council lady
Sherry Vaughn, MSW
LIFT Board of Directors
expansion capital campaign:
A $6 million dollar project with 3 focus areas
1. expanding iNTO FORT OGlethorpe
LIFT has purchased and will be renovating the R. Randall Rollins Youth Center.
• Short 1/2 mile walk from Lakeview Fort O. High School
• Adding Transportation services at this location to remove barriers for schools farther away
• The 8,700 sq. ft. facility will have classroom space and an indoor gym
• Outdoor space for recreation and room for future expansion
• Adding free afterschool services for the west side of the county
• Anticipate serving 500 new studentS!
Lakeview Middle School 6th - 8th 631 students
1337 Battlefield Pwky Fort Oglethorpe, Ga
Lakeview fort o. High School 9th - 12th 981 students
2. expanding our Ringgold facility
LIFT will expand the existing Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center by renovating the back half allowing for:
• An additional 3,500 sq. ft. to increase program space and administration offices
• Potential addition of Behavioral Health Services
• Anticipate serving 100 more students!
LIFT has purchased and plans to renovate the neighboring property at 102 Old County Rd, Ringgold, GA allowing for more programming space:
• A new indoor multipurpose gymnasium with additional classrooms
• Increased outdoor recreation space
• Additional parking and improved access to the Center Potential
3. iNCREASED SUSTAINABILITY
83% of our campaign goal is met! make your pledge toward the last million.
expansion of the claudia nance rollins Youth center
LIFT’s Integrated Philanthropy Plan will make the most of every donation. Your campaign gift will allow LIFT to increase sustainability by providing funding that will serve both short and long-term goals to support our mission of LIFTing students.
“It’s all about people. The people here at LIFT bring positivity into my life and into others. LIFT is my safe haven.”
– LIFT Student
“As soon as I walk into LIFT, I feel like all the burdens of the day are lifted off my shoulders.”
– LIFT Student
Capital Campaign gift levels
Please consider helping us LIFT more students in Catoosa County! Gifts made in the amount of $25,000 or more include naming rights to classrooms and large spaces at the R. Randall Rollins Youth Center. Your contribution to LIFT’s Expansion Project will help us DOUBLE our impact and make free afterschool services accessible to students in need of additional support!
L ead gifts
Starting at $100,000
Made as a one-time gift or over a three-year commitment
Investor gifts
Starting at $25,000
Made as a one-time gift or over a two-year commitment
Foundational gifts
Starting at $10,000
Made as a one-time gift or as a monthly payment for a one-year period
TEAM gifts
Starting at $1,000
Made as a one-time gift or a monthly payment for a one-year period
ALL gifts are important and impact students! Thank you!
