Since 1989, the Gwinnett Coalition has accomplished its mission as a public/private partnership that facilitates collaboration to improve the well-being of our community. In 1997, the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners passed a resolution naming the Gwinnett Coalition as the County’s official planning organization for Gwinnett’s children and families. By identifying needs and resources, setting priorities, planning solutions, focusing on results, and educating and motivating the community to action, the Gwinnett Coalition, through its many collaborative and collective impact efforts, has created long-term, successful partnerships through its programs.
• The Gwinnett Helpline has assisted and directed over 25,000 callers in 2015 to local agencies and direct service providers to help address critical needs. Since 1991, it has been responsible for serving over 500,000 callers.
• The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute (GNLI) has graduated and prepared over 400 diverse, grassroots leaders for over 20 years. The 21st class began in January 2016.
• Gwinnett Great Days of Service (GDOS) has maintained its reputation as the largest volunteer event in the country; in 2015, over 97,000 volunteers participated in the county-wide event. In the past 10 years, it has exceeded over 779,000 volunteers, equating a market value contribution of $23 million dollars
• The Gwinnett Veterans Resource Center (GVRC) has served over 2,000 veterans and military families since its launch in February 2014. The GVRC continues to be a critical component in supporting those who served for our country as they return home.
Ellen Gerstein, Executive Director, said: “Over the past two decades I have been honored to serve as the Executive Director of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services. Through the “power of one” and the “vision of many,” our organization has grown and changed with the county and community making it one of the most dynamic and successful collaborations in the country. It is an honor for the Gwinnett Coalition to be acknowledged with the D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award. We strive to continue and share the legacy of commitment, spirit, and generosity that Mr. Hudgens embodied each day in the Gwinnett community. As this year’s charitable recipient, I have been humbled by the most generous sponsors, supporting partners, volunteers and staff. I hope you will join me in finding your place in helping us better serve and improve our community.”
The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the health and human service needs of everyone in Gwinnett County, Georgia. It does so through collaborative community planning, applied research, community education, membership diversity, consensus building, advocacy, and innovation.
