THOMASVILLE — The Vashti Center was named a State of Hope site by the Department of Children and Family Services. 

This allows the Vashti Center to get exposed to more opportunities for the organization including funding sources and learning workshops. 

“The resources available at that state level are very significant,” Elijah Miranda, Vashti Center executive director, said. “By being able to tap into those resources, it’ll allow Vashti to be a part of that and also acquire and utilize those resources that can assist children and families in South Georgia.” 

Through work with Resilient Georgia, a coalition promoting and building trauma-informed programs, the Vashti Center has provided mental health trainings and youth trainings since July 2020. 

But Miranda said he plans to take advantage of resources through the State of Hope program that will improve those trainings for not only youth-serving organizations but also the youth directly. 

Taking the trainings to school systems throughout Southwest Georgia, including Mitchell County Schools and Thomasville City Schools, is also planned for the new year. 

Being a State of Hope Site will benefit the Vashti Center, which in turn will benefit the community, Miranda said. 

“This is great news for Vashti but also great news for our community to be receiving recognition of this work for our most vulnerable children and families,” he said.