More than 80 nonprofit, education, government, health care, faith, and community leaders gathered Oct. 6 for the Gwinnett Coalition Quarterly Meeting, bringing together people and organizations with a shared commitment to Gwinnett’s children and families.
The meeting featured Dr. Alexandra Estrella, superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools, who shared her vision for the district and invited community partners to play an active role in helping students succeed, both in school and beyond.
Estrella spoke about the connection between strong schools and a thriving Gwinnett, emphasizing that schools cannot do the work alone.
“The collective impact of this room becomes critical in us being able to do our work effectively,” Estrella told attendees. She encouraged partners to think intentionally about how schools and community organizations can work together so students have “a 360-degree support structure to ensure they have what they need to thrive.”
Her remarks highlighted needs that extend beyond the classroom, including mental health services, food security, after-school programming, mentoring, workforce preparation, and support for families. She also discussed preparing students for a rapidly changing future by developing the academic knowledge, technological skills, adaptability, and lifelong-learning mindset they will need to succeed.
For Gwinnett Coalition President and CEO Renee Byrd-Lewis, supporting students and families is also an investment in the strength of the broader community.
“Supporting students and families is actually strengthening the entire community,” Byrd-Lewis said. “The child who gets a healthy meal, a steady mentor, and a counselor who listens, becomes the graduate who builds a career here, starts a business here, and raises a family here.”
Following Estrella’s remarks and a question-and-answer session, attendees moved from listening to sharing their own experiences and ideas. Dr. Shannon Hervey, the Coalition’s director of community health, led a tabletop discussion focused on how nonprofits, agencies, and schools can better align their efforts to support students and families.
Participants identified needs related to mental and behavioral health, food, housing, transportation, and health care, along with barriers families may face when trying to find and access available resources. The discussions also generated ideas for stronger connections at the school-cluster level, improved resource mapping, clearer points of contact within the district, and better collaboration between schools and community organizations.
The conversation reflects the purpose of the Coalition’s Quarterly Meetings: bringing people together to build relationships, share knowledge, identify gaps, and find practical ways to increase our collective impact. As Gwinnett County’s Family Connection collaborative, Gwinnett Coalition works across sectors to align resources, strengthen partnerships, and develop solutions that reflect the unique needs of Gwinnett residents. The Coalition will share the ideas and feedback gathered during the quarterly meeting with the superintendent’s transition team and district leaders to help inform the work of both organizations moving forward.
Thank you to the more than 80 partners who joined us and brought their experiences, ideas, and commitment to the table. We are also grateful to Northside Hospital for partnering with us to make the Oct. 6 meeting possible.
Our next Quarterly Meeting will be held in January 2027. We look forward to welcoming partners back as we continue building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Gwinnett together. Visit our website to explore how your organization, congregation, or school can partner with the Gwinnett Coalition to strengthen health, resilience, and community connections across Gwinnett County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay informed and connected.
