Pierce County Family Connection Director Stephanie Bell was the guest speaker at last week’s meeting of the Blackshear Rotary Club. Bell reported the most recent poverty numbers for Pierce County and the surrounding counties. Our childhood poverty rate is 22 percent - 1,075 children are living in poverty. Surrounding counties’ rates are: Ware – 27.6 percent, Bacon – 31.6 percent, Brantley – 24 percent. The Kids Count data Bell referenced is from 2022. Bell also reported there are 137 teens, ages 16-19, living in Pierce who are not currently enrolled in school or employed. Bell gave an overview of the active projects on Family Connection’s annual plan. Family Connection’s goals for the year center around increasing educational engagement and cultural competency in the community. Pictured (l-r): Sarah Gove, Bell and Jim Seifert. Blackshear Rotary Club resumed weekly meetings at J. Leonard’s on Main after meeting at First Baptist Church for most of the summer while J. Leonard’s was closed for lunch. Club members celebrated Dr. Brent Waters’ 50th birthday by wearing all black to the meeting.
