Atlanta Angels has hired two new program coordinators to help meet the growing demand for its programs
offered to the metro Atlanta foster care community.

Atlanta Angels is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families experiencing the
foster care system by offering consistent support. Its programs connect foster youth and/or families
with volunteers who provide critical support and connection.

The move is in response to the organization’s goals to shorten its waitlist and increase its programs
by 40% in 2025. For some families, this expansion could mean the end of a two-year wait.

“We have LoveBox families who have been waiting for over two years, and we've got some Dare to
Dream youth who have been waiting for the same,” shared Olivia Maley, the program coordinator. 

While waitlisted youth and families receive quarterly check-ins and invitations to program events,
they are not getting the consistent support they need to succeed. Many waitlisted youth and
families are in counties like Paulding and Rockdale, where volunteer recruitment has been difficult.
Teenage boys also experience long waits due to a shortage of male mentors, according to Maley.

With the hiring of two program coordinators, there is the potential for 70 new matches to be made,
meaning more than 140 families and/or youth will get connected to a volunteer and program coordinator
committed to consistently supporting them.

The increased reach of Atlanta Angels’ programs and services is crucial as statistics show that 50%
of foster homes close within the first year due to a lack of support and feeling overwhelmed.
Additionally, many youth aging out of care navigate homelessness, unemployment, and lack of
educational success, due to limited resources and a lack of permanent connections.

“Every family and child who comes off the waitlist is another life touched, another relationship
built, and another step towards breaking the cycle of instability,” Sarah LeFauve, a new program coordinator, shared.

The work being done by Atlanta Angels is clearly transformational. In 2024, 95% of children and
families supported by their programs shared they plan to remain connected with their match
volunteer even after their program formally concludes.

“There is a need for more people to understand the realities of foster care and get involved in
meaningful ways,” LeFauve added. “By raising awareness and engaging stakeholders, I hope to
inspire more individuals, businesses, and organizations to support the foster care community.”

To learn more about how you can get involved or to donate to Atlanta Angels, visit
http://www.atlantaangels.org/

Our 2024 Impact Report is now live, filled with powerful data and real stories that showcase the impact of our programs. While the numbers highlight the reach and effectiveness of our work, every number has a name, and every name has a story.

Today, we’re sharing one of those stories—an inspiring journey between Candace and Nicole that shows the power of mentorship and unwavering support.

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​Candace and Nicole’s connection has grown far beyond the typical mentor-mentee relationship. For Candace, Nicole has become the first person to consistently show up for her, offering unwavering support that empowers Candace to believe in herself, regardless of what she has faced in the past.


Candace’s life was full of uncertainty until she met Nicole at the group home she was living in. As a child
in foster care, Candace moved from place to place, never feeling truly at home. But Nicole changed that.

"Before I met Ms. Nicole, I felt like I didn’t really have anyone," Candace shares.

For Candace, the relationship has provided more than just guidance; it’s given her a consistent source of
support and strength. Although Candace has always been strong, navigating the challenges of foster care
alone, her relationship with Nicole has allowed her to consistently lean on someone. With Nicole’s
encouragement, Candace has been able to reach milestones she once thought were out of reach, like
getting her permit and her bank card.

Through their unwavering bond, Candace has found not just a mentor, but family in Nicole, someone who
has helped her rewrite her story and recognize the opportunities ahead.

​                                 Check out their video to hear Candace and Nicole share more of their story!