🌱 Lessening Stigmas Attached To Mental Health + $1.2 Million Grant

Hi everyone. It's me, Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters, your host of the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town today. Today's briefing includes...

• Mareba Lewis, combating mental health issues and stigmas within the African American community
• Toll Brothers looking into having 33 townhomes built this spring
• Wellroot Family Services awarded $1.2 million grant

But first, today's weather: Breezy and cooler. High: 57 Low: 28.

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Here are the top stories in Decatur-Avondale Estates today:

1. Wellroot Family Services has been awarded a $1.2 million grant as part of a community project funding program. A portion of the grant will go towards renovating a recently purchased housing facility located on East Lake Drive in Decatur. Youth ages 18-21 will live in the facility. As an addition to the building, a community room and laundry room will be added on. To beautify the outdoors of the facility, greenery and an outdoor gathering space will be created. (Decaturish.com)
2. Ellie Mental Health opened in doors on Feb. 1. It's founder, Mareba Lewis, shared reports stating that more than 19 million people in the United States struggle with depression. Statistics from WebMD show that in 2018, 18 percent of Caucasian Americans suffering with mental health issues sought help, yet less than 9 percent of African Americans did, this due to stigmas within the African American community surrounding mental health issues, noted Lewis. CDC statistics show suicide is the third leading cause of death for African American males ages 15- 24. Lewis plans to open a new office in Sandy Springs and another facility in Midtown in the fall. She believes with more African American representation, the stigmas within the African American communities will lessen. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. A plan to build 33 new townhomes in Avondale Estates is underway. Toll Brothers is looking into having the homes built this spring. The project will be located at 3039 Wells St. near downtown Decatur and will offer luxury, low maintenance living spaces. Residents will have access to the arts, music, restaurants, and plenty of shopping options. The prices of the townhomes will start in the high $500,000's. (Decaturish.com)

Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Scavenger Hunt: Black History Month — DeKalb County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Webinar - Putting It All Together — the Business Plan (10:00 AM)
• Friday Movie Cinema: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (11:00 AM)
• V Baseball @ Pace — Decatur High School (5:55 PM)
• Speaker Series: The Trees of the Cherokee — Sources of Food, Medicine and Craft with Mark Warren (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Interested persons can visit the Wesley Chapel Library for Black History Month Inspirational Bookmarks - Family (All Ages). ( https://events.dekalblibrary.o...)
• Art projects for seniors are available on Tuesday, Feb. 28: 1-3 p.m. at
  Wesley Chapel Library. This is an in-person class. Class limit 10. Registration required. (https://events.dekalblibrary.o...)
• Those interested in having a few laughs can join the Laugh Loft. The event will be hosted by Katherine Falen and will feature other local talent. Read more on AllEvents.in (https://www.google.com/search?...)

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Featured events:

• Atlanta Dogwood Festival Run for the Arts 5K (February 18)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 20)
• BJ's Wholesale Club Pre-opening Limited time Offer (February 23)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you soon.

— Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters

About me: Cherryl Young DBA MamaNyeMatters. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Georgia in 2017. My first children's book, You Are the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow was published in 2021. https://www.mamanyematters.com... I've worked in Atlanta and Gwinnett County Public Schools assisting children who have special needs. I studied Community Development @ Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. My Purpose In Life Is To Connect, Create, Inspire, Write, and Expand and I am ELATED to Be Here as a Contributing Writer @ Patch! Journey With Me...

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter? Contact me at Decatur@Patch.com