The Extension, Inc.

02/12/2026

We're only a few weeks away from this year's On The Ball golf tournament! Time to start picking out your Team Name and Theme if you want a shot at the coveted Best Dressed award! 👑
🏌️Think Happy Gilmore, Caddy Shack, and anything fun that represents your team!

We can't wait to see your costumes on March 5th!

02/04/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the North Georgia State Fair! This grant is an investment in our community and will allow us to transform many lives through recovery!

Last night, the Cobb County Fair Association held its annual meeting, and we’re proud to share some meaningful milestones.

The 2025 Superior Plumbing Presents North Georgia State Fair was officially recognized as the most successful fair in the event’s 93-year history. This achievement reflects the dedication of our board, volunteers, partners, and the community that continues to support the Fair year after year.

At the meeting, Fair President Colin Meaders presented Snyder Turner of Calvary Children's Home with a $100,000 donation, reinforcing the Fair’s commitment to Calvary Children's Home.

The Board also adopted the Giving Committee’s recommendations to award an additional $405,000 in community donations, which will be presented at our Scholarship & Donations Banquet on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The following organizations were selected for support in 2026:

$15,000 grants to:
Circles of Cobb , Cobb Christmas Inc., Cobb Collaborative, Cobb Journalism Fund, Cobb Sheriff's Foundation, Inc., The Earl Smith Strand Theatre, HEAL Atlanta, Loving Arms Cancer Outreach, Marietta Firefighter Support Fund, MDE School, Miss Cobb County Scholarship Program, MUST Ministries, Simple Needs GA, Inc., Special Needs Cobb, and 10 Women of Hope.

$20,000 grants to:
The Center for Family Resources, Waymark Foster, and The Dave Krache Foundation.

$35,000 grants to:
LiveSafe Resources and The Extension, Inc..

$50,000 in matching funds to the Cobb Schools Foundation.

In addition, the 2026 North Georgia State Fair and Drew Exposition Scholarship application is now open. This year, the Fair will award ten $5,000 scholarships to graduating Cobb County high school seniors, continuing our long-standing commitment to investing in local students and the future of our community.

Link:https://www.northgeorgiastatefair.com/sholarships

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make the North Georgia State Fair more than an event—by turning success into real, lasting impact across our community.

See you September 24-October 4, 2026 as we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America!

01/22/2026

It may be cold this weekend but On The Ball is heating up!🔥
There's still time to be a part of the fun- sign up as a team today!

👞 No experience or fancy shoes needed!
⛳️ It's not a full day affair, just a long lunch!
🛍️ Shopping more your sport? Do some competitive bidding in our Silent Auction!

🏌️‍♀️Ready to tee it up? Contact betsy@theextension.org for more information!

01/16/2026

Join us in welcoming new Board Member Amanda Arnold!

Amanda began her career with Credit Union of Georgia in 2003 and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach where she oversees the newly established Credit Union of Georgia Community Foundation, Business Development, and member engagement.
In recent years, Ms. Arnold has been awarded numerous Diamond Awards for Marketing Campaigns at Credit Union of Georgia from the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, was published in the Fall Edition of Connections, a quarterly magazine for Georgia Credit Unions, and has been the face of Credit Union of Georgia in commercials and magazine articles.

We are so excited to have Amanda on our Board and grateful to have her talents and expertise on our team!

01/09/2026

We had a great time today with this awesome group of interns from Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs & Advisors! They got to tour our Men's campus, brought resources for our new clients, and learned about resources we offer including Narcan training.

Thank you Mauldin and Jenkins for the opportunity to share our work and thank you for joining our mission of recovery in our shared community!

01/08/2026

FORE!! We're just 2 months away from On The Ball!⛳️
Join us for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition!
Not a golfer? No problem! At TopGolf, anyone can play- no fancy shoes or experience needed!

We have a few more openings for teams so grab your friends and colleagues and we'll see you at the tee!
Ready to go? Email betsymathews@theextension.org to secure your spot!

Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsors CorkHoward Construction and SA White Oil Company for making it all possible!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 🎆
We hope you all have a safe and happy New Year’s Day! Thank you to everyone who supported our mission in 2025- whether by volunteering your time, donating goods or financially, advocating for our work in your spheres of influence, or following us on social media! We are excited to continue our work with you in 2026!

12/27/2025

My name is Shawn McKinney.
I was born in February 1978 and raised in Marietta, Georgia.
I am the owner and operator of Handyman McKinney’s L.L.C.
I arrived at The Extension on September 1st, 2017. Broken from a life of bad choices. The Extension was the answer to a lot of desperate prayers. I began to learn about myself, why I lived the way I did and how to change, to never live that way again. As I started to rebuild my life, I began to feel a new belief that I could do more with my life.
That has become a reality in many different ways. I worked the 12 steps, I applied these spiritual principles in my everyday affairs, I got a home group and many different service positions over the years. I started my own company in 2019. I got married in 2018 to my beautiful wife Tarah. We have a beautiful daughter together, Micah (9) and 2 step sons, Tyler (22) and Kaiden (18). We are all very close. My wife and I got baptized in our faith in 2021. We are active in our congregation and study the bible regularly together as a family.
My wife and I are both active in the recovery community. Tarah is an Alumni of Ridgeview herself and holds a service commitment.
I helped start and run a men's AA meeting that has tripled in size. I am currently the president of The Alumni Group at The Extension. I have been committed to the Extension. I do service work, not as a burden but with a joyful attitude. I have been a part of the Sunday night Gratitude Meeting for about 6 years straight. Working with the guys at The Extension is definitely a highlight of my life. I sponsor guys constantly.
In my business I employ men from The Extension as well. I run my company like I run my life, with honesty, integrity, and willingness. I enjoy making beautiful spaces for people and their families. All in all I give praise where praise is due, to God Himself. He always opens doors for me to walk through to better myself and the people around me.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 🎄
Last week our Board of Directors served a holiday dinner to all of our residents. We say that the best picture of community happens at dinner time, and that couldn't be more true when our staff, board members, alumni, and volunteers all come together to create some holiday magic.
We also got to honor the tireless dedication of Angela Robinson, who has faithfully served The Extension for years. Her passion and service has impacted many lives, including a resident who shared his gratitude with a poem in her honor.
We hope you all spend the day surrounded by loved ones and have a very Merry Christmas!

12/23/2025

Our Alumni Association is in the holiday spirit! They had Breakfast with Santa at both campuses and served up some cheer!
They know better than anyone the power of connection in recovery and are constantly supporting our residents. We are so proud of them- not just because of all they've accomplished, but their character and who they are as individuals, and as a group who knows their impact is multiplied together.
We love our alumni! They go above and beyond- even to the North Pole💈

12/20/2025

We have to brag on this amazing group of volunteers from the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta who came and served our men's campus! Not only did they serve some DELICIOUS food, but they also served our residents AND staff members!
We were all blown away by their generosity and graciousness, and we are so grateful they came to spread some love and Christmas cheer to our campus!
______________________________
If your church group, civic club, neighbors, or friends are looking for a way to give back to the community, we are always in need of dinner volunteers!
Use this link to learn more and see our calendar!
https://theextension.org/support-us/meals/

12/19/2025

❄️ PLEASE SHARE ❄️
The Winter Weather Shelter at MUST Ministries Hope House will be open Friday, December 19th.

The shelter is open to men, women, and children.
📍 Location: 1297 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30066

Guests should arrive no later than 8:00 PM to ensure a bed for the night.

Dinner will be served at 5:00 PM, and breakfast will be provided the following morning.