Gardens of Hope RCO

04/05/2026

“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.”
— Jessica Harrelson

A season of new beginnings, fresh starts, and second chances. Just like spring brings new life, recovery reminds us that no matter where we’ve been, growth is always possible.

At Gardens of Hope, we believe in connection, commUNITY, and walking alongside one another as we build a life of purpose. Today is a reminder that hope is alive—and it grows stronger together.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and hope-filled Easter.

04/02/2026

Just a reminder from Gardens of Hope 🌿

We will be closed tomorrow, Friday, April 3rd, in observance of Good Friday.

We will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, April 6th.

We look forward to seeing you then! 💚

04/01/2026

Legislative Day 39 -🚨 Brilliant News 🚨

HB 657 the Recovery Community Organization (RCO) bill PASSES the Senate with a near unanimous bipartisan vote of 47 - 1 🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥🌟🌟🌟

It will be in House with Speaker Jon Burns on Sine Die for an agree vote and - if earn agreement in the House it will be on the way to Governor Brian Kemp

We are very close… still some work to do…

Thank you to Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Senator Matt Brass, Senator Randy Robertson - and all the Co-Chairs of the General Assembly Working Group on Addiction & Recovery as well as Representative Leesa Hagan for the resolute bipartisan leadership

03/30/2026

Narcan doesn’t just save lives… it saves taxpayer dollars too.

Every overdose reversal with Narcan can prevent:
• Costly EMS dispatches
• Emergency room visits
• Hospital admissions
• Repeated law enforcement calls

When people in the community carry Narcan, help can happen immediately—often before first responders even arrive. That means fewer repeat calls, less strain on our system, and more resources available for other emergencies.

This is what harm reduction looks like.
This is what smart investment looks like.

Saving lives and saving money can go hand in hand.

03/27/2026

Today was a special one for our commUNITY.

Gardens of Hope RCO is honored to be part of the Long-Term Disaster Recovery group with United Way of Toombs/Montgomery/Wheeler Counties, the City of Vidalia, Authorized Page, and The City Of Lyons Georgia—working together to restore homes impacted by Hurricane Helene.

We had the opportunity to recognize and thank the incredible volunteers from MDR (Mennonite Disaster Relief), UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief for their tireless service, as well as their vital funding contributions and Handy Andy Home Warehouse for getting the supplies out that made this work possible.

Because of this collaboration, 121 homes have been repaired—109 of those major projects—right here in our communities.

This is what happens when people come together with purpose. Neighbors helping neighbors. Real impact. Real recovery.

03/23/2026

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — Pablo Picasso

We’re proud to celebrate Ashley Garner, our Office & Grant Manager at Gardens of Hope RCO, on receiving the International President’s Certificate of Appreciation through the Lyons Lions Club for her work with Lions Quest.

Ashley’s passion for youth, prevention, and community impact shows up in everything she does—and this recognition is well deserved. We’re grateful to have her on our team and in our commUNITY.

Keep shining, Ashley. The work matters, and so do you.

18-N District Convention 2026
Sat 3/21/2026

Lion Ashely Garner (Lyons Lions Club) was presented the International President's Certificate of Appreciation as recognition for her work with Lions Quest.

03/20/2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Peer Navigator, Alyssa Gailey, on earning her Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) certification!

This is more than a credential—it represents dedication, lived experience, and a deep commitment to walking alongside others on their recovery journey. Alyssa continues to be a light in our community, and this achievement only strengthens the impact she’s already making.

A special thank you to Georgia Council for Recovery and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for providing the training and support that makes certifications like this possible.

We’re honored to have leaders like Alyssa serving at Gardens of Hope. The work matters—and so do the people doing it.

03/20/2026

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
— C.S. Lewis

Today we celebrate another powerful milestone inside the Toombs County Jail.

This individual recently completed our 3-month peer-led WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) program—a journey focused on self-awareness, accountability, and building a foundation for lasting recovery.

What you see in this photo is more than a certificate. It represents growth, hard conversations, new tools, and a renewed sense of direction. It represents someone choosing a different path.

At Gardens of Hope RCO, we believe recovery can begin anywhere—even behind the walls—and that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future.

We’re proud of every step taken and honored to walk alongside those willing to do the work.

03/19/2026

03/17/2026

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
— John C. Maxwell

Gardens of Hope RCO was honored to attend a recent community meet and greet where we had the opportunity to connect with leaders making a difference across Georgia.

We were especially grateful to spend time with Governor Brian Kemp and personally thank him for the work he has done while in office to support the recovery community and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) throughout our state.

It means a great deal to see leadership that recognizes the importance of recovery, second chances, and building stronger, healthier communities. We look forward to continuing to work alongside others who are committed to making a lasting impact across Georgia.

03/16/2026

Parents of teens and preteens, we invite you to join the conversation.

To help support families, Toombs County Family Connection will be hosting a Facebook LIVE Teen Maze Parent Panel on Wednesday, March 18 from 12:00–1:00 PM.

During the live session, local professionals will share information and perspectives on topics that many teens face today, including bullying, va**ng, drug use, online safety, relationships, and overall teen well-being.

This will be a helpful and informative conversation designed to support parents and caregivers as we all work together to guide and encourage our youth.

📍 Join the conversation live at .