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Connecting Henry presents 2025 service totals to McDonough council, seeks operating support for admin costs
Summary
Barbara Coleman, executive director of Connecting Henry, told the council the nonprofit provided housing, rental and utility assistance and other supports in 2025 — spending about $120,846 countywide and roughly $76,000 in rental assistance to McDonough households — and asked the city to consider helping cover administrative fees tied to grant-funded services.
Barbara Coleman, executive director of Connecting Henry and director of the city’s Health & Human Services department, presented the nonprofit’s 2025 year‑in‑review to the City Council on Feb. 16, detailing program outcomes, funding sources and ongoing needs.
Coleman said Connecting Henry is the Georgia Family Connection partner for Henry County and that the nonprofit provides rent, mortgage and utility assistance, housing placement, emergency shelter vouchers, maternal‑health initiatives and other supports. She told the council that, countywide, the organization spent about $120,845.52 in 2025 on direct services and that, for the City of McDonough specifically, it provided roughly $76,000 in rental assistance to 29 households (72 people) and helped 10 McDonough households — 36 people — regain housing with about $17,000 in assistance.
Coleman described a funding mix that includes private donations, foundations, grants, county CDBG and ARPA allocations, and said the city’s December/January funding marked the first year Connecting Henry received a city allocation. She told councilmembers that many grants include administrative fees to cover overhead — printing, staff time, phone lines and similar costs — and asked the city to consider making a portion of administrative fees available so the nonprofit can sustain staff who work on city clients.
“We receive about 2,000 calls a month,” Coleman said, noting calls come from residents across multiple jurisdictions when a centralized service is known to exist. She outlined recent accomplishments — a signature candle fundraising line, updated online resources, nine collaborative meetings in 2025, financial‑literacy and employment training classes, a baby‑shower/community resource fair and partnerships with local groups including Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and Project Linus.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about overlaps with state DFCS services, the source and timing of a $300,000 ARPA allocation (Coleman said ARPA funds were approved and received in late 2024/Jan. 2025) and whether Connecting Henry can accept donations and provide methods (website, QR code, PayPal, GiveButter, Cash App or checks). Coleman said the nonprofit is exploring a clinic in the Blacksville area, continuing maternal‑health initiatives, and requested council help in persuading nearby cities to partner formally so costs and coverage can be shared.
The presentation concluded with council thanks and an invitation for the public to donate or attend upcoming events; no formal council appropriation or action to change funding levels was taken at the meeting.
