DeKalb County Georgia families may participate in cultural exchange, seeking host families for the 2010-2011 school year. Lisa Maldonado, local coordinator, is interviewing families in this area interested in participating in a cultural exchange experience by hosting an international high school student for the coming academic year. Pax has many carefully screened students awaiting placement. Students from different countries look forward to living like American teens for one school year; joining sports teams, studying for exams and participating fully in family life.  PAX families are asked to provide students with meals, a place to sleep and study, and a warm, supportive environment.  Private rooms are not required and single parents, young couples and retirees are welcome to apply. For information, call Lisa Maldonado at (770) 500-7980.

Feb. 28. Theme: “Looking At The Man In The Mirror: Black Americans Daring To Be Different. Badd” Guest Keynote Speaker Congressman Hank Johnson. Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church, 581 Parker Avenue, Decatur. The event starts at 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (404) 373-4541

April 17. Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Incorporated, Delta Chapter will be hosting a Youth Entrepreneur Challenge and Small Business Expo. The event will be held at Jane Fonda Center at Emory University (Briarcliff Campus) at noon.  The event is free and open to the public.  

The National Osteoporosis Foundation Support Group meets the third Monday of each month at First Baptist Church of Decatur and third Saturday at DeKalb Medical Wellness Center from 11 a.m. - noon.  For more information, contact Carolyn Grove at (404) 538-8914 or e-mail grovecd@bellsouth.net

Support groups. A National Alliance on Mental
Illness support group for people in recovery from mental illness, Connection meets at the Agnes Scott College Wellness Center on the first, third and fifth Mondays of each month. Another group meets on Wednesdays at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 6:30-7:30. For more information, call (404) 604-2350.

Weekly Bible study. Bible study every Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m. Kingdom Builders International Deliverance Ministries Inc., 4122 East Ponce De Leon Ave. Suite 7, Clarkston. For more information call (770) 885-9170 or visit www.kbidministries.org. 

A National Alliance on Mental Illness support program for family members of people with mental illness meets the first and third Mondays of each month at Sunrise of Decatur.  For more information, call (404) 604-2350.

Peer to peer is a learning program for people with mental illness. It consists of nine two-hour units taught weekly by a team of three trained mentors who are personally experienced with mental illness. Participants come away from the course with a binder of materials and other resources. The class and materials are provided free of charge. The meetings are 6:30-8:30 p.m. the first, third and fourth Thursdays of January, February and March. DeKalb Medical Center, 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur. Rehabilitation Services Conference Room. For more information, call (404) 604-2350.

Survivors Network for those abused by priests and other clergy (SNAP) support group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 7 until 8:30 p.m. This group is for those who have been sexually abused by clergy. For more information, contact Denise Weaver, Atlanta SNAP leader, at (678) 665-7631 or Mona Brewer, co-leader, (404) 805-7575 dweaver@stop-csa.com. Visit www.survivorsnetwork.org.

Decatur Communicators Toastmasters meeting. Improve your public speaking skills or leadership abilities?  Decatur Communicators Toastmasters meets every first, third and fifth Saturday 10 – 11 a.m. at Avondale Pattillo UMC at 3260 Covington Hwy., Decatur. For more information, contact Richard Nagode at (404) 294-8082 or by e-mail anagode@msn.com.

Tuesday evening lectures. “Looking at the Current Middle East Geopolitical Scene through the Lens of Scripture” is presented in biblically illuminating lectures by a world-traveled Jewish believer. Learn how end times and messianic prophesies from the Hebrew scriptures are fulfilled. Informal and free lectures are on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First Alliance Church, 2512 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta. For information, call Gary at (770) 354-1501.

Free family fun night. Looking for a family-oriented event? Bring the little ones to the Gallery at South DeKalb’s Family Fun Night series, held once every quarter at 6 p.m. Children will have the opportunity to meet costumed characters, enjoy storytime, make crafts, play games and participate in a variety of activities. This event is free. The Family Fun Night dates are every third Thursday in January, April, July and October. The Gallery at South DeKalb is located on Candler Road near I-20. 

PowerCore is a business referral network. To see if a classification is available and to get an invitation to visit, e-mail info@powercore.net. 

Decatur Team: Scott Boulevard Baptist Church, 2532 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Every Tuesday, $12 a month, 7 - 8:30 a.m.

Northlake Team: Doubletree Hotel in Tucker, 4156 Lavista Road, Tucker, Every Wednesday, 7 - 8:30 a.m.

PowerCore is a business referral network. To see if a classification is available and to get an invitation to visit, e-mail info@powercore.net. 

Decatur Team: Scott Boulevard Baptist Church, 2532 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Every Tuesday, $12 a month, 7 - 8:30 a.m.

Northlake Team: Doubletree Hotel in Tucker, 4156 Lavista Road, Tucker, Every Wednesday, 7 - 8:30 a.m.

Volunteers Needed

Saturday meal delivery volunteers needed. Senior Connections is now delivering Meals on Wheels each Saturday to seniors throughout metro Atlanta. The organization offers 15 routes to be delivered out of its Toco Hills location. To volunteer, call Senior Connections at (770) 216-2574. New volunteer orientations are offered regularly. 

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Items for the calendar may be e-mailed to TravisH@dekalbchamp.com. Include a contact name and phone number. Note that items in this free listing should concern community and non-profit events. Events are placed on a space-available basis and priority is given to DeKalb County events. Items for the community calendar should reach The Champion no later than one week before the date they are to be published.