DeKalb County commissioners used the Oct. 28 business meeting to issue two proclamations recognizing long-standing nonprofit partnerships that support workforce development and neighborhood revitalization.

Goodwill of North Georgia: 100 years
Goodwill of North Georgia was honored for a century of service that the board said has fostered workforce development, job training and employment opportunities across the region. Lorraine Cochran Johnson, CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia, told commissioners that the nonprofit uses retail profits to fund a large workforce program; she said the organization has invested hundreds of millions in workforce-development activities and operates multiple career centers across DeKalb County.

Commissioners read an official proclamation marking Oct. 28, 2025, as Goodwill of North Georgia Day in recognition of the organization’s local career centers, retail operations and plans to serve additional job seekers by 2030.

Eastlake Foundation: 30 years and partnership with the Tour Championship
Commissioner Nicole Messiah presented a proclamation honoring the Eastlake Foundation on its 30th anniversary and recognizing the Tour Championship partnership that funnels charitable contributions back into Eastlake-area programs. Eli Esquia (listed in the record as the Eastlake Foundation president/CEO) described Eastlake’s place-based redevelopment model — rebuilding the former Eastlake Meadows public housing into the Villages of Eastlake — and said the foundation’s work spans education, health, economic opportunity and resident supports.

Alex Irvin, representing the Tour Championship, said the tournament’s charitable efforts have benefitted Atlanta-area nonprofits and cited volunteer engagement and donated proceeds.

Why it matters: Both proclamations highlight long-running public–private partnerships the county described as central to workforce development, community revitalization and local philanthropic investment.

What the board recorded: The clerk read proclamations into the public record and commissioners applauded the nonprofit representatives who attended. No formal vote was required for ceremonial proclamations; commissioners scheduled no follow-up actions tied to the proclamations during the meeting.