CHEROKEE FOCUS INC

Programs

1. Cherokee youth works (cyw) is a work source georgia workforce innovation and opportunity act (wioa) youth program. Designed for out-of-school youth ages 16-24, the goal of the program is to assist youth in securing the tools necessary for obtaining gainful employment at a livable wage in a desired career. An additional goal is to support each participant in becoming productive, self-sufficient citizens who make positive contributions to their community. This is accomplished through the development of a personalized plan that focuses on equipping each participant with the education, work-readiness, and life skills necessary to succeed. The program is provided at no charge to wioa-eligible youth and includes ged classes, help with college enrollment, resume assistance, paid and unpaid work experiences in partnership with local employers, technical certifications, and general support services. These support services might include the purchase of required work uniforms and tools, transportation provisions, and temporary housing assistance through local non-profits and faith-based partners. On-going and compassionate adult mentoring is a hallmark of the program which includes follow-up…

   $100,630 spent
   38% of program spending

2. Since the inception of the drug free cherokee initiative in 2004, cherokee focus has brought together concerned citizens, local businesses, youth, parents, health agencies, law enforcement, faith community, youth-serving organizations, civic clubs, government agencies, and alcohol and substance abuse-related organizations. These community representatives work together as a community coalition to develop a strategic prevention plan to prevent drug and alcohol use among youth in the community. Drug free cherokee models their efforts after the strategic prevention framework model to reduce underage use or misuse of alcohol, tobacco, vapes, marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and other lethal substances such as meth, heroin and fentanyl. Prevention strategies follow cadca's seven strategies for community change. These strategies include providing information, providing support, enhancing access and reducing barriers, changing consequences, physical design, and modifying or changing policy. The vision of drug free cherokee is a united cherokee county that is healthy, safe, and drug free. The coalition continued to partner with the county's alternative school ace academy…

   $135,418 spent
   51% of program spending

3. Cherokee focus is an umbrella organization grounded and focused on the power of people building partnerships that develop into possibilities for the betterment of our community. Through capacity building and joint collaboration, individuals and organizations come together to address gaps in services, resources available,and issues common to our desire for a healthy community. The strength of this collaborative partnership resides in cooperation between organizations, agencies, civic clubs, the faith based community, law enforcement, education, families and individuals. Cherokee focus encourages and models interagency communication, partnership and resource sharing;thereby creating a more efficient system of services delivery. Cherokee focus provides the opportunity for leveraging resources, skills, expertise and funding to create, develop and sustain programs and initiatives that will support the families and children of cherokee county through a means that could not be accomplished by one agency or individual alone. In 2025, the collaborative hosted the annual 'state of the county, child and family wellbeing" event which has become a collaborative signature event. The cherokee…

   $28,701 spent
   11% of program spending

The 3 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $264,749.