Some new faces have joined People of Clay Coalition Allies for Recovery and Education as co-coordinators. Longtime Hayesville resident Em Forbes will serve as coordinator for some of the routine community prevention activities, as well as parent outreach. Hayesville High School graduate Regina Cothren is doing community outreach and serving as youth engagement coordinator until she leaves for grad school at Baylor later this summer.
Forbes is excited to take on the new role to help bring education about ways to reduce substance misuse to the community. Forbes is the mother of three adult daughters and one preteen son, "Having a child just entering those difficult years is one of the reasons I am so passionate about prevention and becoming a co-coordinator of People of Clay Care," she explained. "I want to help to make a difference through communication and parent education in an attempt to keep substance abuse out of our schools. It is my personal belief that if we are all active together to keep our kids informed it is the first step in succeeding."
Forbes stays busy with her son, his sports and their church, Meadow Grove Baptist Church, as well as her dog, Moses.
"I have been living in this beautiful community for 17 years now and I truly love it here," she said.
Cothren graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2020 with a bachelor's degree in social work. She was raised in the Clay County school system from kindergarten through graduation and has always considered Hayesville as home. "I have fond memories as a child of ramp digging in the mountains, spring breaks spent fishing on the lake and countless hikes I still enjoy doing," Cothren said.
She is excited to be working as one of the coalition's community co-coordinators because she believes part of the reason Clay County is so special are the relationships fostered here. Cothren loves and believes in this community and is excited to be a part of the mission of advocating for a healthier, safer community for all citizens of Clay County.
People of Clay CARE officially began in mid 2020 after some local residents started working to bring a coalition with a primary prevention focus back into the county several years earlier. The coalition obtained 501c3 non-profit status last year and board members have been meeting regularly to make plans for community events once the need for social distancing is reduced. They have promoted Red Ribbon Week and have given free medication lock boxes and free medication disposal pouches to community members, as well as the county's paramedicine program and the schools.
In late 2019, the group held an alcohol awareness town hall which brought together some experts from various fields to address the community. Plans are being made for another town hall in the next few months. The coalition, Cothren and Forbes have lots of plans for the local community and there are many opportunities for others to be involved.
People of Clay CARE has shared a lot of educational information on its social media page, including websites to help parents and others learn more about substance misuse. The coordinators are available to speak to your civic or faith group, as well as other gatherings for no charge. Contact Regina Cothren at: reginawithclaycares@gmail.com and Em Forbes at: peopleofclaycare@gmail.com.