About Summer Bonanza
Summer Bonanza is a Chatham County youth mentoring program founded in 1991 by retired County Commissioner, Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas. Her vision lives on through engaging activities that promote respect, responsibility, character, leadership, accountability, and moral development — while also encouraging health, cultural awareness, community service, and citizenship.
Sponsored in part by Chatham County, the program serves youth ages 7–14, with a focus on reaching under-resourced communities. We partner with local businesses, educators, government agencies, and community organizations to facilitate workshops, sponsor events, and offer support.
Our collaboration with Parent University offers custom classes for parents during youth programming. Community volunteers and mentors are always welcomed — and youth ages 15+ who’ve completed at least two years in the program are eligible to serve as junior volunteers.
Program Features
Summer Bonanza Motto: If It’s To Be, It’s Up To Me
The Summer Bonanza Program exposes children to STEM learning, balance living, positive relationships to include judicial and law enforcement officers, and servant leadership. The goal of the program is to strengthen core values and academic success while providing a fun and safe environment for structured activities.
Summer Bonanza Volunteers undergo a criminal background check. Risk Management provides safety training in Multi-Media First Aid and CPR. An orientation in child safety and program guidelines is also conducted. Both adult and junior volunteers serve as mentors by providing positive reinforcement for educational, personal, and professional development.
Mission: To provide supportive services that encourages excellence without excuse in educational, cultural, spiritual and civic endeavors.
Vision: To achieve a better quality of life for all participants for today and tomorrow.
Summer Bonanza Creed
We promise ourselves to always be strong and alert,
Show love and respect, be kind, always reaching out to others,
And remember that “Everybody is Somebody.”
Take control of our lives by
Having the courage to change the things we can,
The serenity to accept the things that cannot be changed,
And the wisdom to know the difference;
Be just as excited about the success of others as I am my own;
Remember that we do not pass this way but once; therefore,
we will strive for Excellence in everything we do.
Meet our Program Director
Ms. Angela Dorsey
Angela Dorsey, a native of Augusta, Georgia, proudly serves as the Program Director for Summer Bonanza Partnership, Inc. A graduate of Savannah State University, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, followed by a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbus State University.
Ms. Dorsey retired from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office after 31 years of dedicated service as a Program Manager. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and youth empowerment.
In Savannah, she remains an active member of Overcoming by Faith Ministries and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, through which she continues to give back to the community. Of all her accomplishments, Ms. Dorsey treasures her role as a mother to her daughter, Ariuna Dorsey.
Ms. Dorsey extends deep gratitude to Dr. Priscilla D. Thomas for the strong foundation she established for Summer Bonanza. She honors Dr. Thomas’s legacy of leadership, mentorship, and friendship — and continues to build upon that vision with care, passion, and purpose.
A Throwback to Our 2020 Virtual Learning Series
A snippet of our fun, educational videos created to keep our SB Family learning and growing from home.
Our Sponsors & Community Partners
Summer Bonanza is sponsored in part by Chatham County and thrives thanks to the support of dedicated community partners. Their contributions include corporate sponsorships, financial donations, educational facilitation, and in-kind services that help sustain our mission.
Our Advisory Board — made up of business leaders, local volunteers, and community representatives — plays a vital role in guiding our success.
Special thanks to our Sponsors and Partners:
Chatham County Commissioners and Managers, International Paper, City of Savannah, St. Joseph’s/Candler Health Systems, Parent University, US Foods, ILA Local 1414, Georgia Heritage Credit Union, SPIN, Savannah Chapter of The Links, PEACH State, Chatham County Judiciary, Savannah Bananas, Memorial Medical Center, Westside Ministers Association, the Dunhams, the Abdullahs, the Emancipation Association, UGA Cooperative Extension, Amerigroup, and other generous supporters.
Hours of Operation
Summer Bonanza runs from the end of Savannah- Chatham County Public Schools’ academic year through early August. When funding allows, we offer monthly sessions focused on tutoring, community service, and peer engagement throughout the year.
Regular program hours are Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, held at our main location:
Liberty City Community Center
1401 Mills Lane Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401