Rainbow Village

Breaking the cycle of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence

Rainbow Village Board of Directors

Rainbow Village Adds Your Wealth Partners’ Paul Culbreth to its Board of Directors

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Nonprofit Dedicated to Ending Homelessness – One Family at a Time – Enhances its Governing Board with Community-Minded Certified Financial Planner

Duluth, Ga., December 3, 2020 – From his professional life to his personal life, everything Paul Culbreth, CFP® does is geared towards helping families. In addition to retirement planning, wealth management and risk management for individuals and small businesses through his firm – Your Wealth Partners – Culbreth is driven by a desire to give back. With a focus on the Metro Atlanta communities that surround his local office in Dacula, his philanthropic nature led him to Duluth-based Rainbow Village in 2015.

Immediately after his graduation from Georgia Southern University’s College of Business Administration in 2005, Culbreth followed in his father’s financial planning footsteps. When his father tragically passed away in 2014, Culbreth inherited the family business – significantly increasing his income. The following year at Your Wealth Partners proved to be extraordinarily busy and lucrative. He wished to pay a portion of this sudden windfall forward to a local nonprofit and his accountant introduced him to Rainbow Village. Culbreth liked what he learned about the nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness one family at a time and didn’t hesitate to send them a donation. In response, Rev. Nancy Yancey, former CEO of Rainbow Village, reached out to him with an invitation to tour the campus and learn even more about the nonprofit.

He was so impressed by what he saw that, in 2016, Culbreth launched a series of Macro Economy Luncheons – the proceeds of which benefit Rainbow Village. In the years since, Your Wealth Partners has also regularly sponsored the annual Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf Classic and always purchases a table and attends the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year – the We Are Family Benefit Gala. Even Culbreth’s wife, Kara, has become involved at Rainbow Village through the Women’s Giving Circle.

“We love all things Rainbow Village and always have a great time at the events,” said Culbreth. “When Rainbow Village CEO Melanie Conner asked me to join the Board of Directors, I was incredibly honored and didn’t hesitate to express my desire to serve. There’s such a diverse group of people on the board from a wide variety of backgrounds. I bring with me a creative mind and a financial background, and I look forward to finding inspiration during my time on the board to learn the best ways I can contribute. As for me, I have a lot to gain from a knowledge standpoint, and I look forward to meeting and getting to know my fellow board members.”

While Rainbow Village marks his first nonprofit board appointment, he currently serves on a financial services board affiliated with Equitable Advisors, where he has also recently served on the investment policy committee for the last four years. While on the Board of Directors for Rainbow Village, Culbreth looks forward to a great learning experience.

“I was very fortunate growing up,” added Culbreth. “I was raised in a stable environment and was afforded amazing opportunities with regard to my education and career. A lot of families don’t have that and that impacts their path. They don’t always have mentors to guide them and teach them life skills needed to succeed. I love that Rainbow Village opens their doors and hearts to someone who needs assistance and gives them a safe place to live and learn the skills that will empower them to become contributing members of society. When they arrive, they may not possess the skills to pull together a resume or balance a budget. Once they graduate from the program, they are well-positioned to succeed. As a family man with four children of my own, I also admire the fact that Rainbow Village focuses on the whole family with programming specially engineered for adults and their children.”

Having just celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary with his wife Kara, Culbreth counts his family among his greatest blessings. He is father to Elisabeth, Paul Jr. and the twins, Will and Drew. When not working or attending board meetings, Culbreth enjoys entertaining – especially in the backyard with something tasty on the smoker. He and his family live in Hamilton Mill and are proud members of the congregation at 12 Stone.

“We are proud to welcome Paul to the board at Rainbow Village,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “His caring heart and experience in setting families up for success from a financial standpoint will no doubt prove invaluable. He serves to enhance an already incredible board. We feel truly blessed by the caliber and breadth of talent that our board members represent.”

To learn more about Paul Culbreth and Your Wealth Partners, please visit www.YourWealthPartners.com.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991, Rainbow Village is a transformative 501(c)3 nonprofit program located in Duluth, GA that serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness. Our model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond our village. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Note: Paul Culbreth is a registered representative who offers securities through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN). Investment advisory products and services offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.  Annuity and insurance products offered through Equitable Network, LLC. Your Wealth Partners is not a registered investment advisor and is not owned or operated by Equitable Advisors or Equitable Network.

CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.  These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.  AGE-157570(11/20) (Exp.11/22)

Rainbow Village CEO Melanie Conner Receives Moxie Award

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Woman at the Helm of Georgia Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence Recognized by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce in the Pay It Forward Category

Duluth, Ga., September 1, 2020 – During its third annual Moxie Awards on August 28, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce honored Rainbow Village CEO, Melanie Conner, along with six other women who were deemed as being bold in business and making things happen in Gwinnett County. Hosted at Infinite Energy Forum and presented by Northside Hospital, the 2020 Moxie Awards included the recognition of Conner with a Pay It Forward Award.

The Pay It Forward Award is designed to pay tribute to an individual who is generous with her time, talent, or resources. The Gwinnett County community is a better place because of her contributions and efforts towards helping others. At the helm of Rainbow Village since 2018, Melanie Conner fits that description beautifully. A Duluth, Ga.-based nonprofit established in 1991 to address the needs of families with children contending with homelessness, poverty and domestic violence, Rainbow Village serves as a community of transformation through transitional housing, life skills classes, counseling, mentoring, youth and adult programs, fellowship and awareness. Through it all, Conner and her team are dedicated to empowering at-risk families on their journey back to self-sustainability.

“While I certainly don’t do what I do for the recognition, I feel truly honored to receive a Moxie Award – particularly among so many amazing women,” Conner said. “For me, it means Gwinnett County sees what we are doing at Rainbow Village. They see the families we are helping, the lives we are changing. More importantly, it means they see that there’s a real need out there for the work we are doing. Homelessness is not only an urban issue. It’s an everywhere issue. There are families within the Gwinnett County community right now that are sleeping on a friend’s floor or staying in a motel room until the money runs out or living out of their cars. We seek to provide them with a sense of community and the knowledge that they are not alone, then provide them with the tools they need to get back on their feet and stay there. Every time a family graduates from our program and moves into a home of their own, I am reminded of the true value of the work we are doing and I am so grateful to be a part of that.”

In addition to Conner, a Rainbow Village Board Member was recognized with a Moxie Award by the same name. Dr. Jann Joseph, President of Georgia Gwinnett College, was honored as a lady leader who is an inspiration to many – making an extraordinary impact on her professional career and the values of her workplace.

“These inspiring women deserve to be lifted up and recognized for all that they do for our community,” said Alicia Krogh, Senior Vice President, Executive Engagement & Programs, Gwinnett Chamber in a press release following the event.

For more information about the Moxie Awards, visit GwinnettChamber.org/moxie. To learn more about Rainbow Village and its programs or to make a donation to support the nonprofit’s efforts, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Rainbow Village Welcomes Northside Gwinnett CEO to its Board of Directors

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Debbie Mitcham Represents the Newest Addition to the Leadership Team Behind the Scenes at the Georgia Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence

Debbie Mitcham – President & CEO of Northside Gwinnett Hospital

Duluth, Ga., August 21, 2020 – While COVID-19 has slowed many industries to nearly a halt across the globe, the needs of families facing homelessness, poverty and domestic violence are greater than ever before. Rainbow Village – a Duluth, Ga.-based nonprofit that provides a community of transformation for families in need through transitional housing, programs designed to serve the whole family and a system of accountability, remains steadfast in its mission to help pave the way back to self-sustainability. One of the many ways it stays the course is by building a board of directors – made up of community leaders who are passionate about making an impact. After the recent announcements of the additions of Michelle Livingstone – VP of Transportation for Home Depot, Dr. Jann Joseph – President of Georgia Gwinnett College and Jill Edwards – Senior VP of United Community Bank, Rainbow Village is pleased to also welcome Debbie Mitcham – President & CEO of Northside Gwinnett Hospital to its board.

Mitcham first learned about Rainbow Village when Michelle Alcorn, a dear friend and Community Engagement Director for the nonprofit, invited her to attend the annual We Are Family Benefit Gala last year. She was immediately impressed and liked the fact that Rainbow Village’s mission was right in line with her desire to give back to the community that surrounds her hospital. No stranger to giving back, Mitcham has previously served on the board for Sacred Hearts – a Georgia-based nonprofit that helps girls who’ve been sexually trafficked in Costa Rica. She has also been on mission trips to Haiti, volunteered with Missionary Flights International, served as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church and participated in education sessions with Street Grace – an Atlanta nonprofit that seeks to end domestic minor sex trafficking. In addition to her wealth of involvement with other nonprofit organizations, Mitcham hopes her 30 years of experience in business – a large part of which is in the financial arena – will prove valuable to the board. She has served as CFO and VP of Finance for Northside Hospital since 2004 and assumed the role of President & CEO of Northside Gwinnett Hospital in August 2019.

When asked why she was drawn to Rainbow Village, Mitcham shared, “If you don’t have safety, structure and security – and by security, I mean things like food, an education, a home – it’s difficult to find your way and succeed in this world. I really like the residential aspect of Rainbow Village. They have room enough to serve 30 families at a time, and that goes such a long way in providing that safety, structure and security needed to help families get back on their feet and flourish. Knowing that I have even a small hand in helping people find their way back to self-sustainability will be extremely rewarding for me.”

“We have been truly blessed to add Debbie, Jann, Jill and Michelle to our Board in the midst of a pandemic,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “That speaks volumes about their dedication to this community and their passion for helping families in need. Debbie’s reputation as a consummate leader and true visionary paired with her down-to-earth personality will undoubtedly prove invaluable to our leadership team and the families that Rainbow Village serves.”

For more information about Rainbow Village and its programs, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Rainbow Village Adds Two Community Leaders to its Board of Directors

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Dr. Jann Joseph of Georgia Gwinnett College and Jill Edwards of United Community Bank Mark the Newest Additions to the Board for Georgia Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence

Dr. Jann Joseph and Jill Edwards join the Rainbow Village Board of Directors

Duluth, Ga., July 2, 2020 – Representing highly respected members of the leadership teams at a local institution of higher learning and a regional Southeast financial institution, the two newest additions to the Board of Directors for Rainbow Village have all the makings of a dynamic duo for the 29-year-old nonprofit. Tasked with breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence, Rainbow Village is proud to add the talents of President of Georgia Gwinnett College, Dr. Jann Joseph and Senior Vice President of United Community Bank, Jill Edwards to its mission to transform the lives of the families it serves in Northeast Metro Atlanta.

A lifetime educator and relative newcomer to Georgia, Dr. Joseph has been at the helm of Georgia Gwinnett College since July 2019. Eager to serve and get tapped into the area, Joseph joined the Board for the Gwinnett Chamber, where she met Jill Edwards. Celebrating her 34th anniversary in banking – primarily in Northeast Georgia, Edwards counts connecting people among her greatest talents. She was intimately familiar with Rainbow Village – having aided in the funding of the second phase of apartment buildings on the nonprofit’s campus. With a shared desire to positively impact the lives of women and children in need, Edwards introduced Joseph to Rainbow Village and the two joined the Board of Directors together.

“I felt a connection to the mission at Rainbow Village,” said Dr. Joseph. “I had been asking myself ‘how do I use my time and energy to help people who keep working and keep fighting but need a voice.’ Our life decisions can easily become mistakes and a series of mistakes can mean one’s life is not turning out the way one hoped it would. From a spiritual perspective, I say ‘There but by the grace of God go I.’ For some of these women, it involves the decision of the people they choose to have in their life. I was fortunate to be happily married for 36 years to a man who was devoted to me and our children. If he had not been the man he was, I could have been homeless. Instead, I had a support system. Many of the families who come to Rainbow Village haven’t had a support system to lift them up. This program represents an opportunity for homeless families – often led by single mothers – to start over and reach their full potential.”

Joseph looks forward to becoming part of the conversation and ongoing evolution at Rainbow Village – particularly where the After-School Program is concerned. As a former middle school teacher, she looks forward to setting tangible goals, being able to contribute to them, witness measurable gains and add value during her time on the board. She also hopes to have a personal impact on the spiritual and emotional life of the women at Rainbow Village.

Jill Edwards echoes a similar desire to have a personal impact in her work with the nonprofit, “I learned about Rainbow Village nearly 25 years ago from Barbara Howard, who was a community legend and major supporter of the nonprofit. In all the years since, I’ve been to many of the lunches, events and galas. I’ve heard the compelling stories of how lives had been transformed by Rainbow Village. I recently asked their CEO, Melanie Conner, if she believed I could be of value to her organization and why. She could sense that I wanted to give back and felt my involvement and deep roots within the business community would prove invaluable. It was the right thing to do at the right time for me. Since joining the board, I’ve had meaningful conversations about Rainbow Village with dozens of people. It’s amazing to me that there are still people out there in the Northeast Georgia community who don’t know about Rainbow Village and the important work they are doing on behalf of homeless families with children.”

Edwards said she is most impressed with the accountability and structure at Rainbow Village – that it represents a hand grabbing another hand to lift them up rather than giving them a handout. She feels the combination of career training and financial counseling are game-changers for many of these families – allowing them to walk away with skills they didn’t have when they arrived. To her, Rainbow Village builds confidence and restores a sense of pride before giving its residents the belief that they’ve regained control of their lives. In doing so, the graduates of the program enjoy long-lasting results and success beyond the borders of the Rainbow Village campus.

“We are incredibly honored to have these two fantastic women serve on our Board of Directors,” said Melanie Conner, CEO for Rainbow Village. “Each comes with her own unique set of skills, a wealth of wonderful ideas and a heart for serving others. We feel extremely blessed to welcome Dr. Jann Joseph and Jill Edwards to Rainbow Village.”

In addition to their positions on the boards for Rainbow Village and the Gwinnett Chamber, both Joseph and Edwards serve on several other boards. Joseph also lends her talents to Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber, while Edwards remains busy with her service on the boards of the Gwinnett Place CID, Across the Bridge – a nonprofit dedicated to bringing addicts to Christ, and the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services – where she serves as Treasurer. When they’re not working in their respective leadership roles or attending board meetings, Joseph and Edwards enjoy spending time with family. Joseph is exceedingly proud of her three sons, three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. Edwards and her husband of 25 years, Greg, have a son at Mercer University and a daughter at Greater Atlanta Christian Academy. In her spare time, Edwards enjoys riding bikes, playing tennis and going to the beach.

For more information about Rainbow Village and its programs, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Home Depot’s Michelle Livingstone Joins Board of Directors for Rainbow Village

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Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence to Benefit from Newest Board Member’s Experience with Atlanta Children’s Shelter

Duluth, Ga., May 27, 2020 – Giving back is nothing new for Home Depot Vice President for Transportation, Michelle Livingstone. In addition to serving on the boards of several business-associated organizations over the years, she was proud to serve on the board of the Atlanta Children’s Shelter for the last six. Sharing similar objectives to help homeless children and their families, Livingstone was drawn to Rainbow Village and its mission to help the whole family break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence.

“The nonprofit community is fairly close-knit and when a friend of mine discovered Rainbow Village, she spoke so highly of its mission and leadership team that I couldn’t wait to learn more,” recalled Livingstone. “I went on a tour of the campus and was impressed by the organization and the folks behind it. I really like the housing component and the breadth and depth of resources available at Rainbow Village, as well as the time they provide their program participants to find their way back to self-sufficiency. Up to two years, if needed. I think that’s phenomenal.”

During her time at Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Livingstone witnessed firsthand that homelessness and domestic violence can happen to anyone. “Everyone has a story,” she added. “They just need someone to listen. They just need a hand up. I believe it’s our duty to help them get back on their feet. Giving back has always been important to me personally, but it’s also one of Home Depot’s core values. I love the idea of helping other women feel successful, so Rainbow Village is a good match for me all the way around.”

Livingstone believes Rainbow Village’s success over the last 29 years can be attributed to making homeless families feel like they’re part of a community that cares. She feels that’s the best way to break the cycles and help them become self-sufficient. She is also impressed by the resources Rainbow Village provides to its residents – including transitional housing, childcare, training and development, life skills classes and so much more.

“I have no doubt that my background in Corporate America can be an asset to Rainbow Village,” said Livingstone. “I can use my experience to help their residents be successful – for instance, practicing an interview for a job. I can also possibly fast track the success of Rainbow Village and its residents by leveraging my network to bring new insights and perspectives. I’m really excited about this opportunity. There is no better feeling in the world than helping others achieve their potential.”

“We’re truly thrilled to welcome Michelle to the board of Rainbow Village,” said Melanie Conner, the nonprofit’s  CEO. “She has found great success in her own life and is a true powerhouse in inspiring others to rise to their own levels of success. I know she will bring amazing ideas and equally amazing energy to our board room at every meeting.”

As the newest member of the board of directors at Rainbow Village, Livingstone has already been made to feel right at home. She has had a terrific time meeting the other board members, who she considers to be all like-minded people. A veteran with Home Depot for more than 12 years, Livingstone enjoys attracting other women to the supply chain industry. Along with her husband Bob, Livingstone takes great pride in the servant’s heart displayed by her daughter, Amanda, who has a master’s degree in International Human Rights and works with the White Ribbon Alliance in Washington D.C.

For more information about Rainbow Village and its programs, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village:  Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

View from the Village: Board Member Jeffrey Charron

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A chance encounter led Jeff Charron from an Open House Event in 2012 to a seat on Rainbow Village’s Board of Directors. As Senior VP of Commercial Banking for SunTrust, it wasn’t unusual for Jeff to receive invitations from clients. He attended the Open House Event at a client’s behest during a turning point for the nonprofit – the launch of Rainbow Village’s capital campaign. It was there that he met CEO Nancy Yancey and learned more about the nonprofit organization with a mission to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. He was immediately impressed with Rainbow Village’s great track record and reputation they’d built in the North Metro Atlanta community since the nonprofit’s launch 21 years earlier. Although nothing stood on that ground but a few architectural renderings of future buildings on easels, he could easily envision the promise this place held for homeless families with minor children.

Finding real value in his background in banking, Nancy invited Jeff to join the Finance Committee – helping to manage the budget and expenses for the nonprofit. By 2013, he was invited to join the Board of Directors. Over the course of the last 6 years, he has served as Treasurer, Chair and Treasurer again. In 2020, it will be his time to roll off the Board, but he’s grateful for all that he’s experienced and witnessed during his time at Rainbow Village.

“It’s an organization that I really wanted to help,” recalled Jeff. “It was a great time to be introduced to Rainbow Village. When I first arrived at the Open House, it was nothing but raw land. So, in the seven years that I’ve been here, I’ve been able to witness its growth over time. It helped that there were already very good building blocks in place to help people for over two decades. I had a heart for what they were doing during an exciting period in their history as they were completing the first phase of their capital campaign. It was a pivotal time for an organization with a great vision that I wanted to be a part of. I had never served on the board of a nonprofit before and I had wanted to be more involved, so it was great timing.”

Jeff insists that his biggest source of pride in serving on the Board of Directors for Rainbow Village was that the organization was able to complete building the entire campus without debt thanks to the capital campaign and pledges. When asked why Rainbow Village continues to draw a strong support base with so many great nonprofits in place throughout Atlanta, Jeff said that he felt it all goes back to the fact that Rainbow Village is all about the mission. Even though the capital campaign has ended and the original vision of a Family Services Center, Community Center and five Apartment Buildings with room enough to house 30 families at a time is a glorious reality, the mission remains strong.

“It’s one that really tugs on a lot of heart strings,” Jeff added. “People have different perceptions of homelessness. They may envision a middle-aged man begging for food in downtown Atlanta. The reality is that the average age for a homeless person is 8 years old. People don’t necessarily think about homelessness impacting children and families, but homelessness is a big problem in Gwinnett and Atlanta. By educating the public about this issue and Rainbow Village’s mission to break those cycles, I have no doubt that we can convince more individuals, companies and organizations to invest the resources to help. Rainbow Village offers a completely different model from a homeless shelter. In addition to helping the parents work their way out of homelessness, we’re having a bigger impact than we realize on their kids.”

 “It was – and continues to be – a totally different organization,” said Jeff. “It’s been so cool to see it evolve over time and witness the vision come together to become the thriving campus it is today. But, it’s more than a campus and community. It’s an organization that goes deeper to make a more lasting impact with its residents. It brings different types of talent together with all this positive momentum. It’s awesome to think of how many families we’ve served and all the success stories that have come out of Rainbow Village. It’s making real change for the good of its residents and society. We really are making a difference. The people who graduate from Rainbow Village are prepared to be more productive members of society.”

As for what he sees on the horizon for the nonprofit… “I’m very excited about the recent addition of Melanie Connor as Rainbow Village’s Chief Executive Officer and how much she’s been able to accomplish in a short time. She adds a different level of focus and serves as a breath of fresh air. She fit right into the organization’s unique culture from day one. I have all the faith in the world that she will take the Rainbow Village vision forward while applying key past professional operational experience. I would love for Melanie and the Board to figure out a way to replicate the success of Rainbow Village in other geographical areas plagued by homelessness – either by opening satellite campuses or by serving as a model for other communities to follow. It would also be wonderful to develop better metrics and tracking around our alumni and their children to measure future success.”

In addition to the Board of Directors for Rainbow Village, Jeff serves on the Corporate Development Society Board for the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). He lives in Suwanee with his wife with two children. When not hard at work at SunTrust or at board functions, his favorite pastime is spending time with his wife, 3½-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. On Sunday mornings, you can find the Charron family in the congregation at Victory World Church.