Story by Communications Intern Dexter Whitby Jr.- On July 15, The Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI), along with Robins Financial Credit Union, volunteered at the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, with whom they share a partnership.
The Girls Dig Deeper Initiative is in its third annual Summer in the City Learning Experience for teenage girls (ages 13-17) at the Rosa Jackson Community Center (1211 Maynard Street) from July 12-27. The purpose of this experience is to elevate youth girls’ mindset and promote positive behavior through various activities and impactful discussions
Najiva Timothee, GDDI Founder and Executive Director believes that volunteering at the Food Bank is an example of what the camp teaches and stands for.
“I want to make sure that the girls know what it is like to give back to the community. So being part of the Community Food Bank gives them that opportunity and experience of what it feels like to give back,” Timothee states.
The program, through the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP), helps keep the kids in the right environment and away from crime, especially in the summer.
“A lot of them are home trying to find things to do,” Timothee says. “That’s one of the reasons why we have this summer program, so we can keep the girls safe, engaged, and do something for them to learn to build healthy connections, build friendships.
GDDI first-timer Ariel Combs, would highly recommend any girl to attend the camp. “This is a sisterhood here, we don’t have any problems with each other, we all just click,” she adds.
Jaa’laiyah Card, another first-timer, seconds this statement. “Don’t be shy, everybody here was so welcoming” she says.
“It is important for us to have volunteers,” said Kathy McCollum, President and CEO of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. “We only have 22 employees here in our food bank, and we’re serving 24 counties, it’s a big job so we really rely on volunteers.”
Together, the girls were able to help pack 427 boxes including 6,068 meals that will be distributed to families in need across Middle Georgia.
About the Macon Violence Prevention Program
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations, and departments.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.
Since its inception, more than $2.5 million has been granted to local nonprofit and community organizations. From 2022 to 2024, the Macon-Bibb homicide rate dropped by 45%, and the youth homicide rate fell by 87% between 2022 and 2024.