“One trusted adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life”
About Us
Creating a Resilient Future, Together
At Resilient Communities of East Georgia, we’re on a mission to transform lives. By addressing the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and teaching trauma-informed care, we’re building a network of leaders committed to strengthening individuals, families, and communities across 14 counties in the Central Savannah River Area.
Our Mission
Resilient Communities of East Georgia strives to transform the East Central region of Georgia through promoting health and well-being across both public and private sectors.
Our Vision
The vision of Resilient Communities of East Georgia is to give all people the voice they need to thrive and be successful.
About Us
Creating a Resilient Future, Together
At Resilient Communities of East Georgia, we’re on a mission to transform lives. By addressing the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and teaching trauma-informed care, we’re building a network of leaders committed to strengthening individuals, families, and communities across 14 counties in the Central Savannah River Area.
Our Mission
Resilient Communities of East Georgia strives to transform the East Central region of Georgia through promoting health and well-being across both public and private sectors.
Our Vision
The vision of Resilient Communities of East Georgia is to give all people the voice they need to thrive and be successful.
Our Values
Resilient Communities of East Georgia is committed to championing advocacy, fostering a deep sense of belonging, and building a strong, inclusive community. We believe that every person deserves to be heard, supported, and given the tools to thrive.
Advocacy
Advocacy
Belonging
Belonging
Community
Community
Our History
Resilient Communities of East Georgia (RCEG) emerged from regional coalition work aligned with the Resilient Georgia framework to strengthen child, youth, and family well-being across a 14-county area. Built on trauma-informed, healing-centered principles, RCEG began by convening schools, healthcare partners, youth-serving nonprofits, and local leaders to coordinate prevention, training, and wraparound support.
Early momentum came from Resilient Teens—weekly, near-peer–supported sessions that pair adolescents with trained facilitators (including medical students) to build skills in self-regulation, connection, and purpose. As the program grew, RCEG added educator and caregiver trainings, research and evaluation, and policy/systems advocacy to reduce barriers and expand access to supportive environments. Annual summits, multi-county partnerships, and co-created projects with community organizations have turned the coalition into a practical engine for change rather than a meeting calendar.
Today, RCEG serves as a regional backbone: coordinating partners, elevating youth voice, sharing data and best practices, and mobilizing resources for prevention and early intervention—all guided by the simple idea that resilient kids grow in resilient communities.
Building Resilience Across East Georgia
Partnering with Resilient Georgia to Foster Trauma-Informed Communities
We support Resilient Georgia’s effort to create trauma informed organizations across the state of Georgia. Our organization covers 14 counties in the east region of Georgia and we work with representatives from each of our training roadmap sectors to provide trainings, resources and collaborative efforts. To learn more about these efforts please visit Resilient Georgia’s Trauma Informed Training Road Map.
RCEG Annual Reports
Each year, Resilient Communities of East Georgia publishes an annual report to share our impact, progress, and partnerships across the region. These reports offer a transparent look at our programs, outcomes, and initiatives as we work to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), promote trauma-informed care, and strengthen support systems for youth and families.
Whether you’re a community partner, funder, or resident, our annual reports provide valuable insight into how we’re building a more resilient East Georgia—together.
Board of Directors
Anna Reeves
Chair
Anna Reeves is a lifelong entrepreneur and community advocate who founded multiple local businesses, ...Read More
Jonathan English
Vice Chair
Jonathan English is a State Farm Agent serving the Evans community, where he provides personalized in...Read More
Angela Hickson, MPH
Secretary
Angela Hickson, MPH, is an experienced Institutional Review Board and public health professional dedi...Read More
Jennifer Scott
Treasurer
Jennifer Scott brings more than two decades of experience in strategic communications to her role as ...Read More
Allison Layman
Board of Directors
Allison Layman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Riverfront Counseling, where she pro...Read More
Lauren Petro
Board of Directors
Lauren Petro is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Holly Counseling, where she specialize...Read More
Shironda Brown
Board of Directors
Shironda Brown is an experienced counselor with a strong background in community-based and school set...Read More
Holly Brown Weaver
Board of Directors
Holly Brown Weaver is an Associate ASID Interior Designer and Retail Manager with Design Images &...Read More
Seth Smith
Board of Directors
Seth Smith serves as a Marketing Specialist with Hull Property Group, where he supports digital marke...Read More
Chandler Shields, CPA
Board of Directors
Chandler Shields, CPA, serves as a Supervisor Auditor with SME CPAs, where he supports clients throug...Read More
Coalition Leaders & Staff
Rebecca Best, MBA
Executive Director
Rebecca Best leads RCEG with a blend of strategic insight and compassion, building programs and partn...Read More
Kari Viola-Brooke, LPC, CPCS
Coalition Leaders & Staff
Kari Viola-Brooke is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Superviso...Read More
Tracy Casanova, PhD
Coalition Leaders & Staff
Dr. Tracy Casanova is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Dean of Learner Well-Being at the Medical...Read More
Teresa Carter, M.ED., NMLM
Coalition Leaders & Staff
Teresa Carter leads Burke County Family Connection with over 20 years of experience in youth and fami...Read More
Caitlyn Brantley, LCSW
Coalition Leaders & Staff
Caitlyn Brantley, LCSW, serves as Prevention Services Director for Child Enrichment, Inc., where she ...Read More
Julie Miller, MPA
Coalition Leaders & Staff
Julie Miller supports 14 counties in East Georgia through her role as Regional Manager with the Georg...Read More
April Hartman, MD, FAAP
Coalition Leaders & Staff
With more than 25 years of pediatric experience, Dr. April Hartman serves as Division Chief of Genera...Read More
AmeriCorps
Through our partnership with United Way of the CSRA and the AmeriCorps VISTA program, we are grateful to host dedicated team members who are using their skills, passion, and service to build stronger, more resilient communities. AmeriCorps VISTA members commit a full year to advancing local solutions, working alongside organizations like ours to expand capacity, strengthen partnerships, and address the root causes of poverty.
Amber Bowick, MPH
AmeriCorps VISTA
Amber Bowick, MPH, brings more than a decade of nonprofit experience to her AmeriCorps VISTA role wit...Read More
Lena Garrard
AmeriCorps VISTA
As an AmeriCorps VISTA with RCEG, Lena Garrard supports the Resilient Teens initiative, guiding youth...Read More
Legacy Partners
Our Trusted Partners
Supported by Departments of Augusta University:
- Medical College of Georgia
- Children’s Hospital of Georgia
- College of Education and Human Development
- School of Public Health
- Institute of Public and Preventive Health
- Hull College of Business
Our Funders
