Julie Long named program coordinator for Cumberland County Rising

Cumberland County Rising (CCR) Board President Steve Stone announced the recent hiring of Julie Long, a native Cumberland Countian, to the newly-created position of program director.

The announcement is made after CCR received a state grant to fund the full-time position. Long was selected by the board of directors from a list of candidates and joined the coalition last month. Since that time she has attended training and educational programs sponsored by the state.

Julie Long

“We are very grateful to have Julie Long on the team at CCR. She brings great experience and education to her position and most importantly she brings a heart with a desire to serve driven by a love for children.”

“I just want to say how excited and blessed I am to be a part of such a great organization,” Long said. “I have a heart and passion for the cause and hope and pray that together we can make a positive change in our community.”

Long’s background is in elementary education and she holds a Master’s degree in human services. She is a past employee with the Teens Against Drug (TAD) Center where she was involved for several years.  She has also worked at Cumberland Mountain Mental health as a prevention specialist, working with children and youth.

“I have seen first-hand how drugs can tear a family and a life apart,” said Long. “I have had drugs tear my family apart and I can empathize with others who are dealing with it.”

Long hit the ground running, collaborating with the Legal and Lethal Cumberland Medical Center, Covenant Health and CCR during which 50 persons, including many from the medical field, attended.  In April, she was part of a CCR invitation to participate in a program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT). She also represented CCR at the Blue Ribbon Ceremony held at the Community Complex.

Upcoming programs Long is already working on with CCR include hosting a Prevention in the Park at the new splash pad. The tentative date for that program is June 6 and announcements will be forthcoming. Long is also working with a Jackson coalition to sponsor three youth from Cumberland County and Stone Memorial high schools in leadership and educational camp.
Anyone wishing to contact CCR or Julie can do so by going to the CCR website, email programcoordinator@cumberlandcountyrising.org or by calling (931) 210-0384.