Brenda Coleman, Director, University for Parents and Member, University for Parents Interfaith Advisory Council and John Blend, Founder & CEO, Goshen Valley Foundation.
BY AAGD STAFF
July 23, 2019 — The University For Parents inaugural charity golf tournament committee wishes to thank all of the participants and volunteers for being a part of its grand success on Saturday, June 22 at Southwest Atlanta’s Wolf Creek Golf Course. Nestled in an upscale neighborhood surrounded by beautiful landscaping and trees, the sunny weather presented a beautiful day for an outing. Golfers checked in at 7:30 a.m. to enjoy a delicious continental breakfast followed by a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Overall, nearly 200 registered guests were in attendance for the outing designed to empower parent learners through education, inspiration, and support.
Honorary Chair, award-winning journalist Roland Martin was on hand and kept guests engaged with his humor and gregarious personality. Also in attendance was John Blend, CEO of Goshen Valley Foundation whose company served as a major tournament sponsor. Other notables at the memorable event included Carmalitha Gumbs, Council Member, City of South Fulton, District 2 and Pastor Lawrence Reeves, President of University for Parents Interfaith Advisory Council.
(L-R) Brenda Coleman, Dr. Fiyah Oates, Dr. Jerome Maultsby, Roland Martin, and Corey Reeves.
In accomplishing its mission to familiarize the community about the University for Parents organization while raising funds to support programs, the tournament included a sumptuous afternoon banquet, raffle prizes, and 19th hole celebration. The marvelously organized affair garnered a host of esteemed commendation and congratulatory remarks from guests:
Roland Martin, Honorary Chair
“I was so honored to represent our founder and CEO, Susan L. Taylor, and the National CARES Mentoring Movement’s leadership team at the University for Parents’ inaugural golf tournament fundraiser. Brenda Coleman and her entire team have done a wonderful job leading an amazing workforce readiness program that is anchored in CARES’ culturally-grounded and healing-centered wellness approach,” said Stephen Powell, Chief Programs and Partnerships Officer.
Young Golfers
Powell continued, “The University for Parents program leverages community partnerships to provide family members with the resources and opportunities that they need to become self-sustaining. I was personally grateful to witness the ongoing support of a celebrity honorary ambassador, college classmates who are leading the charge in corporate America, and local community and faith-based leaders; it was simply divine alignment leading to my priceless experience participating on a foursome with committed partners, sponsors and friends. The donated food from Buffalo Wild Wings was excellent, and the youth and adult volunteers provided top-notch customer service during check-in and throughout the day. I totally look forward to next year’s tournament and the impact our program continues to achieve in the greater Atlanta area!”
Golf Foursome
“I arrived at the golf tournament so excited to share my testimonial about how the University for Parents changed my life. When I first enrolled in the program, my children had been taken away from me because I disciplined one of them, and I was accused of child abuse. When I went to court, the judge said I needed parenting classes, so I enrolled in the University for Parents,” stated Kieta Labron, Parent Learner, University for Parents.
Kieta Labron, Parent Learner, University for Parents.
“After I took parenting classes and several other classes and received support from my academic life coach there, my life was transformed. I learned new parenting skills, how to control my emotions, and how to find my New Way Forward. I graduated with 100 hours and I was so proud of myself. Now I have my children back and I am rewriting the narrative of my story and it’s all because of the University for Parents,” shared Laborn.
Players and guests enjoy a delicious meal donated by Buffalo Wild Wings.
Hole sign and University for Parents info sign graced hole No. 1.
“I’m inspired by the work of the National Cares Mentoring Movement and the University for Parents. Participating in the golf tournament provided an amazing opportunity for me to invest in their work and to have fun meeting new people and reconnecting with friends! I’m looking forward to next year’s tournament,” remarked Jamaar Logan, Founder/CEO, YES Mentors.
Golf players assembling to go on the golf course.
“What a great day of golfing for a purposeful cause, The University for Parents! Our Inaugural Golf Tournament was a success. Thank you to all the sponsors, golfers, volunteers, Wolf Creek Golf Course staff, and colleagues. A special thanks to the African American Golfer’s Digest for their partnership and support,” said Dr. Jerome Maultsby, Co-Chair, University for Parents Golf Tournament Facilitator and Academic Life Coach, University for Parents.
“Our golf tournament was simply amazing! With the support of our sponsors and community partners, we showcased the University for Parents, raised funds to support our program and socialized with a purpose. It was a glorious day!” exclaimed Brenda Coleman, Director, University for Parents and Member, University for Parents Interfaith Advisory Council. The weather was great; the golfers came in droves; the Year Up volunteers and University for Parents volunteers came ready to work; the food was delicious, and it was such a joyous event. We couldn’t have asked for more. I am excited about planning next year’s tournament.”
Ms. Coleman zealously spearheaded the inaugural golf fundraiser and she has certainly set the stage for welcoming players and guests for next year’s charity tournament, scheduled to be held at Wolf Creek Golf Course on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
For more information on the University For Parents, to get involved, volunteer or donate please visit www.uforparents.org or call 770-316-3487 or email cares@universityforparents.com
ABOUT:
The National CARES Mentoring Movement was founded in 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as Essence CARES, while Susan L. Taylor was chief editor of Essence magazine, which she led for 27 years. The mission of the National CARES Mentoring Movement is to transform the lives of Black children by inspiring, recruiting, and mobilizing masses of caring Black men and women to mentor and nourish, challenge and champion them.
CARES is the recognized national leader in the recruitment, training and engagement of Black mentors. Our programs address the severe shortfall of Black mentors nationally, and we are sought after by hundreds of organizations that look to us for desperately needed, trained and committed volunteers. Our local CARES Affiliate network, in 58 U.S. cities, recruits and connects caring volunteers to schools and local youth-serving organizations in severely underresourced communities throughout the nation that have been disrupted by poverty, hopelessness and violence.
