Atlanta Nonprofit Commemorates 25^and Anniversary with fundraising campaign for the capital

ATLANTE, February 14, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Agape Atlanta Youth and Family Center is celebrating 25 years of transformational change and impact in 2022 with the launch of a capital campaign to raise $2.5 million. The campaign aims to support the organization’s ongoing mission to empower and support underserved families. Since 1997, Agape has served more than 500 school-aged children in the Atlanta area, providing comprehensive services that include in-school, after-school programs, summer camps and more that support entire families. Countryside: Celebrating our past, securing our futurewill ensure that Agape’s work to end generational poverty will continue for the next 25 years and beyond.

“We know that if we can change the life of one child, then we are changing an entire generation,” said Nell Benn, CEO of Agape. “This entire year at Agape is dedicated to celebrating what we have accomplished in twenty-five years without ever losing sight of the daily impact of our programs on children and families in our community.” She continued, “It’s amazing to look back at where we started and now recognize that on average our students have been in our program for eleven years by the time they’re seniors in high school, taking everything they’ve got. they acquired with us beyond the classroom and into their future.

Foundation and history

Agape began as an outreach ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Although Agape had always been separate from Trinity, Agape was the vision of the senior pastor at the time, Reverend Dr. Joanna Adams. It was Joanna’s vision that led a core membership of Trinity Presbyterian Church, along with other faith-based and community organizations, to establish a foothold in the Atlanta Mission building on Bolton Road in 1997. The result was one day a week. after-school program for 25 students from Hampton Oaks housing development and a day program for seniors from Marietta Road Highrise. True to its mission, Agape expanded the organization in subsequent years to a five-day-a-week program and added additional programs, services, and community initiatives to serve students from other schools and neighborhoods in the community. . Due to the increase in the number of children served over the years, Agape has offered after-school programs not only at the Agape facility on Bolton Road, but also at St Anne’s Episcopal Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church . Today, Agape works closely with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and currently welcomes students from:

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• Bolton Academy

• E. Rivers Elementary School

• Scott Elementary School

• Sutton High School

• North Atlanta High School

• Atlanta Classical Academy

Gift

After a successful $8.5 million fundraising campaign launched in the fall of 2015, Agape moved into a new 35,000 square foot facility on Marietta Boulevard in 2018, uniting all programs under one roof. The new facility allowed Agape to increase its capacity and offer new and improved programming. It includes a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, computer lab, library and 10 study rooms. During the height of COVID-19, Agape pivoted its programming to virtual and partnered with Atlanta Public Schools to provide students with the technology needed to participate in their online classes. Additionally, Agape provided over $125,000 in grocery gift cards, utilities and rental assistance. In the fall of 2020, Agape reopened and served as a study pod for students providing accountability, stable technology, and a conducive environment for learning while schools were still offering virtual schooling due to the pandemic. In August 2021, Agape expanded programming to Scott Elementary, enrolling 26 students.

Future

Agape is setting the stage for the next 25 years with a $2.5 million fundraising campaign. This effort aims to generate contributions that will help secure the future of the families and children served. The funds are earmarked for critical investments including an outdoor recreation and learning space, improved STEAM technology and equipment, new buses, and the creation of a building maintenance fund and endowment as Agape seeks to secure its future.

For more information on how to donate, visit 25years.agapeatlanta.org

About the Agape Youth and Family Center

Founded in 1997, Agape Youth and Family Center’s mission is to empower and support underserved families to help them discover and realize their full potential. Agape’s programs provide in-school and after-school enrichment to 215 K-12 students at six Atlanta public schools. Agape has served the community of Bolton, now Upper Westside for 25 years, leveraging educational success to end the cycle of generational poverty for children in underserved communities.

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contacts

Lauren Shankman
Trevelino/Keller
404-214-0722 ext. 121
[email protected]