During a recent government meeting, community leaders highlighted the importance of local library systems and the need for increased awareness of available tax credit programs aimed at supporting children, particularly those aging out of foster care.

A speaker praised the Chattahoochee Valley libraries, emphasizing their superior service compared to libraries in other regions, such as Atlanta and Durham. The discussion shifted to a workshop held at the Rothschild Technology Lab, where attendees learned how to sign up for a significant tax credit program. Notably, Shauna Love from Boys to Men Development, which focuses on services for youth aging out of foster care, was present and expressed her lack of awareness about the program.

The speaker noted that many organizations in the area, including those from Valdosta and Albany, were also uninformed about the tax credit opportunities, which could potentially leave $20 million unclaimed. To address this, a meeting is scheduled for November 12 at the Columbus Public Library to further discuss the program and encourage donations before the year-end deadline.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the speaker's call to action, urging community members to disseminate information widely to prevent children from falling through the cracks as they transition out of foster care. The meeting concluded with gratitude expressed towards local officials for their support of related initiatives, including the building of a village project aimed at aiding these vulnerable populations.