Gateway Behavioral Health Services (GBHS) located in Hinesville, Georgia provides assistance to adults born with various exceptionalities.
Individuals that attend the Day Center in Hinesville travel daily from Bryan, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and other surrounding counties.
It has been several years since GBHS provided representation at the Georgia Special Olympics. Due to a lack of resources, funding, and coaches, Gateway stopped training and sending individuals to the Georgia Special Olympics.
In 2017, a few dedicated staff and community volunteers took on the rewarding task of working with these motivated adults and saw to it that they attend and participate in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Georgia Special Olympic Games. Staff members Susan Green, Wanda Newman, Robert Brown (retired), Hattie Hargrove (retired) and Lyn White (retired) made sure that these unique individuals would once again get the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful event by organizing and coaching the GBHS Liberty Dream Team.
It began with participation in the Georgia Special Olympics Masters Bowling tournament in 2017. Two years later, the numbers increased and more individuals are participating.
This year, the tournament was scheduled for Aug. 16-18, 2019 in Warner Robins. It was destined to be successful as they proudly came home with first, second, third and fourth place medals.
Family members Jarvis D. Johnson, Sr., Cherisse R. Johnson (Bryan/Liberty Counties TLOD) Jared D. Johnson (Liberty County H.S/ Bryan/Liberty Counties TTA.), Jalah D. Johnson (Taylors Creek Elementary), Edward Rahming and Tiffany Rahming served as coaches and volunteers and traveled to support the Liberty Dream Team. This support is not only important to the individuals from our community, but also for the hundreds that are present at event.
The GBHS participants, staff and volunteers appreciate all sponsors and family members past and present for their dedication and commitment to assisting with practices, getting to the games, and purchasing uniforms for the entire Liberty Dream Team. Hinesville Area Board of Realters was a premier sponsor this year with a $500 donation and Anagen Hair Restoration of Silver Springs, MD was a silver sponsor donating $150.
These donations assisted with the purchase of custom-designed bowling shirts for the entire team. We also are very grateful to our past sponsors Anagen Hair Restoration of Silver Springs, Md., and Soldier’s United Motorcycle Club of Hinesville, that donated to get our very first uniforms for the Special Olympics Basketball Team.
GBHS is grateful to the many family, friends and community members who rallied together to support the Special Olympics Team by supporting our Applebee’s fundraiser, Painting with a Purpose or other monetary and personal time donations.
Every effort given is greatly appreciated. The team is eager to begin practicing for the remaining events for fall and winter.
If you would like to donate or assist the team, please contact Mrs. Green at Gateway Behavioral Health Services. She may be reached at 912-503-9576. Job well done Liberty County Dream Team!