Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative Celebrates Rayonier Advanced Materials $12,500 Gift for “Mental Health Task Force” Initiative Amid COVID-19

JESUP, GA. – May 7, 2020 – Amid a growing need for resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative announced today that Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (NYSE: RYAM) contributed $12,500 to its Mental Health Task Force Committee—an initiative that is focusing on areas of mental health, substance abuse, student success and homelessness in Wayne County. The grant was made through Rayonier Advanced Materials’ charitable arm, the RYAM Foundation.

“We’re immensely grateful for Rayonier Advanced Materials’ generous contribution and we look forward to putting their dollars into action,” said Lana D. Wright, Executive Director at the Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative. “This grant will go a long way in decreasing social poverty, mental health crises and substance abuse disorders within Wayne County—and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. Many Wayne County families are hurting right now.”

The Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative’s Mental Health Task Force Committee is dedicated to improving Behavioral Health services in Wayne County by developing cross-organizational partnerships to identify and manage the needs of citizens at risk for social deprivation. Rayonier Advanced Materials’ grant will help address the community’s needs by optimizing key areas in Behavioral Health services. 

“Weathering this crisis means pulling together,” said Paul Boynton, President and Chief Executive Officer at Rayonier Advanced Materials. “It’s our responsibility to help our neighbors in need. The Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative is doing excellent work on the ground and we’re proud to support them.”

Rayonier Advanced Materials said the $12,500 contribution is part of a larger initiative to assist local nonprofits during the COVID-19 crisis in the communities where the company operates. The company gave a total of $42,500 to four local nonprofits in the Wayne County area. 

“We know these gifts will make a difference,” said Jay Posze, President of the RYAM Foundation. “Not only by providing these deserving nonprofits with some much-needed assistance, but also by spotlighting the truly indispensable work they do. We hope others are encouraged to give as well.”

About The Wayne County Family Connection

The Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative has been a part of Wayne County for many years.  We look at areas of school success and opportunities for improvement as a concern within our community. Our Collaborative is focused on sustaining close relationships with our partners through supporting our schools, civic organizations, and our community.

Through our collaboration and collective efforts, we have learned that we can make collective impacts. Listening, learning, acting, and gaining wisdom, along with our statewide network, allows us to share stories of success, and resources. Ultimately our primary accomplishment is to enjoy the prosperity that comes from having vibrant, healthy families and communities throughout Georgia. The Executive Director for the Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative, Lana D. Wright extends an invitation to the public to join our Collaborative which meets the 4th Monday in each month at 9:30 a.m. Our meeting location is 367 Bamboo Street, Jesup, Georgia.                                                               

familyconnection@waynehelp.com – 912-256-2150.