|
Atlanta Angels has hired two new case managers 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 case manager supervisor. 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 case managers, 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 case manager 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 case manager, 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/
0 Comments
As part of our Holiday Extravaganza, we hosted over 300 youth and families in our programs for a special day out at the movie theater. In addition to fulfilling wish lists for 300 children and providing 100 Holiday Love Boxes to our foster families, we had an unforgettable day at the movies with special showings of Elf, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Moana 2. The excitement didn't stop there - Buddy the Elf, Moana herself, and Batman made special appearances to help spread the holiday cheer! It was a weekend filled with joy, laughter, and connection—creating special memories for our children, youth, and families. Here's what one foster parent said: "So thankful for such a wonderful time! I appreciate that this is inclusive for all. We really enjoyed it and appreciate all the hard work that goes into planning elaborate events like this... [my kids] had the best time!!" One of our aged-out youth was in disbelief when she unwrapped her gift and exclaimed, "I asked for this!" 🥹 It seems simple, but in that moment, she felt truly seen. We would like to thank every single person who helped make this holiday season so memorable for our families. Whether you fulfilled a wishlist, volunteered at a Wrappy Hour, donated, or helped us bring the holiday cheer to our event, we are so grateful for your support! A special thanks to all of our sponsors- Atlanta United FC, Piedmont, PulteGroup, LocumTenens.com, Hall Boys, Schneider Injury Law, ICON Commercial Interests, and CIBC for their unwavering support and generosity. Check out some photos from the event below! The holiday season has finally arrived, and Georgia is full of festive activities to bring on the Christmas spirit! Whether you’re searching for Christmas light displays, cozy traditions, or festive experiences for the whole family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are some fun ways to celebrate Christmas in Georgia this year:
 At Atlanta Angels, we are committed to creating meaningful relationships that empower youth to overcome obstacles and thrive. Our Dare to Dream® program matches mentors with youth to navigate life's challenges together, providing advice, encouragement, and a supportive community.
A profound example of the power of relationships is the relationship between Josh & Emmanuel. Before being matched in our program, Josh* was navigating tough times, struggling in school and balancing responsibilities at home that made it difficult for him to reach his full potential. “I was failing school. I had no passing grades. I had 30s, 40s, It was so bad” But everything changed when Josh was eventually placed with the Neal family. It was here that he began to receive the support he needed. Initially, Emmanuel was there to help Josh with his academic struggles, but over time, he saw the need to form a deeper bond. “From the beginning, I really didn’t want it to be a temporary thing,” Emmanuel explained. “I wanted to find a way to get involved and help beyond just that initial meeting in the classroom.” Josh and Emmanuel’s story is a testament to the transformative impact of mentorship and community. Josh’s resilience paired with Emmanuel’s mentorship led to a powerful moment when the pair graduated within days of each other. For Josh, this was extremely meaningful as he became the first one in his family to graduate, breaking a generational cycle and setting an example for his younger siblings. This is what our programs are all about! We are building communities of people that are changing the way children, youth, and families experience foster care. For a full glimpse into their journey, check out their interview! Want to be a part of a story like Josh’s? Visit our page to learn more about how you can become a mentor! *Name changed for privacy purposes  What is Foster Care?
Foster care is intended to be a temporary home for children who cannot live with their biological families due to safety concerns. The primary goal of foster care is to reunite children with their families, but adoption may become an option. There are approximately 400,000 children and youth experiencing foster care across the United States. The Challenges: Foster care, while crucial for child safety, can present unique challenges. Many children in foster care face academic instability due to frequent moves, impacting their ability to thrive in school. Additionally, statistics show that youth in foster care experience higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration compared to their peers who are not in foster care. Children experiencing foster care may also struggle with mental health challenges, often due to the trauma they have experienced. How Foster Care Works:
Our Mission at Atlanta Angels: The ripple effects of time in foster care can have long-lasting impacts, but our North Star is to change these statistics. The Atlanta Angels mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship. For more information on how you can help change the narrative for children in foster care, visit our website to learn how you can get involved!  We are thrilled to celebrate the holidays with the families, children, and youth supported by our programs! Last year's holiday event with our angel community was so delightful, we can't wait to celebrate that special time of year again during this year's festivities! In addition to fulfilling childrens' wishlists and providing holiday love boxes to each family, we'll host our foster families for a fun day out at the movies! We warmly invite you to partake in the joy of this very special event. Discover all the ways you can get involved:
4. Volunteer at one of our Wrappy Hours: This will include helping sort, organize, and wrap holiday gifts and prepping materials for our upcoming holiday event. Each person coming will need to be registered. If you are interested in an opportunity for 10+ people, please reach out to schedule separately with Jess at [email protected].  Fall is officially here, and Georgia is full of activities to help you celebrate the season! Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun, outdoor adventures, or interactive ways to embrace the season, we’ve got you covered. Here are some fun ways to experience fall:
 At Atlanta Angels, we believe that fostering meaningful connections can transform lives. Our Love Box program pairs foster families with dedicated volunteers who provide consistent support and care. One such transformative match is the Marshall family and their Love Box volunteer, Ms Gigi.
In late 2020, amid school closures and limited resources, the Marshalls were ready to close their foster home until they were introduced to the Love Box program, and everything changed. They were paired with Ms. Gigi, who quickly became much more than just a volunteer. "Ms. Gigi, she is phenomenal," the Marshalls said. "She came straight from heaven. She's not only for the kids, she's for me, she's for my husband. She is total family to us." From the first time she visited, Gigi’s impact was immediate. "When she really came over for the first time, it was like she was part of us, and we were part of her," they shared. Gigi brought meals, love, and reassurance, reminding them, "You're not alone. You have someone fighting with you." The bond has grown far beyond the Love Box program. "Our kids don’t know life without her... She’s not going anywhere!" And not only did the Marshall’s not close their home - they’ve since adopted their kiddos - and Gigi is their godmother! The Marshalls’ journey exemplifies the power of the Love Box program and the strength of community support. Foster parents often face the burden of balancing work, home, and caregiving without adequate support. With volunteers like Ms. Gigi, Atlanta Angels ensures that foster families don’t have to face these challenges alone. Watch this interview to hear the Marshalls share their story of hope, resilience, and family. For a full glimpse into their journey, you can also watch Rikesha’s heartfelt speech from our Raise Your Wings Gala, where she shared how Atlanta Angels and the Love Box program helped them keep their home open and their hearts full. Interested in participating in our LoveBox program? Visit our page to learn more about how you can get involved! Our recent partnership with Seint Makeup is a shining example of what’s possible when we work together. During their annual convention in Atlanta, Seint Makeup chose us as their giveback partner, launching an Atlanta Angels Foster Care Collection with 100% of proceeds going to support our programs. They also created “Boo Boxes” for our kids and held an amazing “Over the Rainbow” themed dinner, where we received a check for $199,243! This generous donation will go a long way in helping us continue to provide love and support to children and families experiencing foster care. We can't thank them enough for believing in our mission and helping to further support our programs.  |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
February 2025
Categories |
Stay Informed |
Contact Us
|
Get Social |
RSS Feed