Extended Family

07/27/2026

Cherokee County Civitan Club does so much in our community to assist those in need. Thank you for supporting Extended Family all these years!

07/24/2026

We are so grateful for community leaders who invest in the lives of our youth! 💙

Recently, Judge Shaunathan Bell spoke with our Extended Family Leadership Academy students at the DeKalb Youth Services Center about ethics and why doing the right thing matters.

Using relatable examples, Judge Bell challenged students to think about honesty, fairness, respect, and making good choices. He reminded them that our values should guide every decision.

Thank you, Judge Bell, for sharing your time, wisdom, and heart with our students. Together, we’re helping young people build character, make positive choices, and create brighter futures. 🌟

*Pictured: Otis Washington, Daphne Rogers, and Judge Bell*

07/16/2026

So many exciting things beginning to happen!

Extended Family plans more than 40 school programs across Cherokee, Etowah, DeKalb and Calhoun counties during the 2026-27 school year.

07/09/2026

Thank you, WEIS Radio, for your continuous support!

Extended Family has received a $10,000 grant from Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center and the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation to support student programs in Cherokee County.

07/08/2026

🎉We have exciting news🎉

Extended Family is honored to announce that we have been awarded a $10,000 grant for the 2026 - 2027 year through the generosity of Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center and the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation.

This funding will help us continue making a difference through Extended Family for Kids and Extended Family Leadership Academy, serving children from kindergarten through 12th grade in Cherokee County, Alabama.

We are incredibly grateful for this investment in the lives of our youth. Together, we are empowering the next generation.

Thank you to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center and the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation for believing in our mission and helping us create a brighter future for the children and families of Cherokee County. It all starts at home 💛

07/07/2026

✨ Spotlight Tuesday: Shaliyah Reese ✨

Meet our Program Development Coordinator, Shaliyah Reese!

Shaliyah is a wife, a proud mom of four, and holds a special place in the history of Extended Family as the first Extended Family for Kids (EFK) participant to become a member of our staff. Her journey is a powerful reminder that hope, support, and opportunity can truly come full circle.

In her role, Shaliyah works tirelessly to keep our curriculum fresh and relevant, collects program data, helps lead our youth programs, and is the mind behind many of the social media posts you see. Every day, she is committed to making sure our programs continue to grow and positively impact the youth we serve.

“I believe our youth are our future, and I truly believe I’m making a difference in the lives of young people in our community. I have the best job in the world, and I’m so thankful to be exactly where I am.”

We’re incredibly grateful for Shaliyah’s passion, dedication, and heart for serving others. Thank you for all you do to help inspire hope and create brighter futures! 💚

07/01/2026

✨WE ARE HIRING✨

06/29/2026

Building stronger communities together! 💙

Our Assistant Director, Daphne Rogers, and Program Development Coordinator, Shaliyah Reese, were honored to share how the Summit Grant we received last year from the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama has helped strengthen and support the work of Extended Family.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to connect with and learn about the incredible work being done by other nonprofits throughout our region. We are grateful to be part of a community that is committed to making a difference.

A heartfelt thank you to the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama for investing in organizations like ours and for your continued support of our community. Together, we’re creating lasting impact!

06/25/2026

✨ Full Circle Moment ✨

Did you know that our Program Development Coordinator, Shaliyah Reese, was once a participant in Extended Family for Kids herself?

Today, she is the first Extended Family employee who began her journey as a child in our program and has come back to help inspire and support the next generation of youth facing similar challenges.

Her story is a powerful reminder that hope, support, and encouragement can truly change the course of a life. ❤️

03/24/2026

We need EFLA Guest Speakers! It just takes 30 minutes to share your career story with Our Kids, and we will schedule the Group that best fits your calendar. Judge Mobley is one of our speakers, and he inspires us to reach for our dreams like he reached for his. Contact Leslie Mobbs, EFLA Coordinator to schedule your talk - 256-927-3038, [email protected]. Our Kids are the winners!