Macon Magazine

SCOTT MITCHELL COVID-19 and social distancing have brought untold woes upon small businesses. Among them are owners having to navigate a tangle of unknowns and paperwork to gain pandemic relief funds. But among the woes – heroes. "Everybody here has good things to say about Scott Mitchell," said Josh Rogers, president and CEO of NewTown Macon. "He's a hero and it's been evident during the COVID-19 crisis. But realistically, it's the same heroism he shows every day." Mitchell is owner of Travis Jean Emporium on Cherry Street. The store, Mitchell said, is a place artisans and artists can showcase and sell varieties of Georgia- made goods. Added to running his business, Mitchell is involved in things like chairing boards for Main Street Macon, the Wesley Foundation and the Downtown Macon Community Association. Of late, though, Mitchell spends time on the phone and in Zoom meetings advising other small-business owners about how to manage the muddle of queries and fluctuating instructions for financial support. "I was one of first downtown to apply," Mitchell said. "Not because I knew how to, but because, knowing how to or not, I needed to." Mitchell agrees with the notion he's been willing to throw himself in the deep end – sink or swim. "I read all the blogs, call whoever sounds like they know something and do whatever I can to educate myself," he said. "And I'm eager to share what I learn. I've never seen other businesses as competition; I want us all to be strong businesses for our community. " Rogers said Mitchell has been a great mentor to other businesses. "Every webinar we've offered, Scott's helped," Rogers said. "Then, he gives private time to guiding others. It's important other proprietors hear Scott say, 'You can do this.'" "It is tough," Scott said. "It's hard to keep smiling when you wonder if you'll make it yourself. But I believe it's best to keep fighting. I want to say I walked the walk and helped others."—Michael W. Pannell Greta O'Dell For the last 25 years, Greta O'Dell has worked tirelessly for River Edge Behavioral Health. In her role as director, O'Dell assures that more than 100 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are supported so that they may have meaningful, contributing lives in the community. River Edge provides day support to about 110 individuals and residential support to about 55 individuals. When the shelter-in-place order took effect, River Edge had to stop its traditional day services, but COVID-19 could not stop O'Dell from continuing her work and passion. She created a plan to adapt services by sending the staff to the group homes, hosting special parties for them on Fridays and ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities have all their needs met. "One of my goals has been to support my staff as much as I can," O'Dell said. "I just want to make this transition as easy as it can be for my staff while we're trying to operate in this kind of unknown environment." To limit the exposure of her staff to the virus, every week O'Dell assembles care boxes including food, cleaning supplies and disinfectants to go to the homes instead of her staff going out into the community and potentially being exposed to the virus. "Greta came up with a plan where we don't have to leave our clients," said Toya Stinson, a lead individual support worker at one of the River Edge homes. "Greta made sure we have supplies sent to us, and the house has an adequate amount of food." O'Dell coordinated a social media campaign to recognize more than 100 healthcare heroes who work in her department, and even with the pandemic, she continues to hire new staff and provide staff support training. "Greta Marie O'Dell is a Maconite through and through, and a thorough good do-er," said Cara Quarantillo, director of communications at River Edge. The American Red Cross recognized O'Dell as a Healthcare Hero. She teaches first aid and CPR to hundreds every year, and this year she was elected as a board member for Georgia's Service Provider Association for Developmental Disabilities. "Here at River Edge, we always say 'we make life better,' and I truly believe that when we say 'we make life better,' it's for the individuals we serve but also for the staff," O'Dell said.—Katie O'Neal 11

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