Non-Profits Connect to
Share Resources and Offer Support
As a new non-profit
organization of five years, the
Choices Atlanta (CA) team
realized that we needed to network and find support with the leaders and
volunteers of other non profits serving the
We knew it would be
enjoyable, yet we had no idea of the impact for the
CA team and those attending. The
attendees were excited about exchanging ideas and personal experiences. They
expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to meet others who also spend
countless hours thinking of how they can make the world a better place for
someone less fortunate. Everyone was inspired by the openness and generosity
of the presenters and what they had accomplished through a desire to serve
those in need. Our giving tanks were filled and we were ready to get back to
work in making a difference in the lives of others.
This year we hosted
Choice’s Atlanta’s Second Annual
Non-Profit Network Forum at the John’s Creek,
Tasty Pastry in a casual
continental breakfast style meeting. The instability of our economy made
this year’s forum even more important for us to share ideas, learn of new
resources and to strengthen those already supporting us.
Wendy Weekly,
The College Women’s Center, the
satellite office of Alpharetta’s A
Beacon of Hope emphasized “It’s important to invest in and nurture
volunteers who are our faithful servants, especially in this tight economy.
Set standards, goals, plans and determine what you need. Numbers are good,
but commitment is key.” The
pregnancy center provides relationship services for mothers with unplanned
pregnancies offering counseling, financial and medical assistance,
educational and mentoring programs.
Stand up for Kids
is a volunteer only organization that serves the homeless twenty-one and
under by providing clothing, showers, hot meals and counseling.—a three hour
safe haven. They have been able to expand their offices through grants with
companies such as Glaxo Smith Klein. Shawndra Bullard said “We depend
heavily on donations and we use our website to post a wish list for items we
need”.
Tamara Cerrara,
The Alpharetta Junior Women’s Club’s
Karen Daniel said “We are not a social club. We support the community arts,
education, health, international and public affairs.” They rely on
successful fundraising to fund projects that range from partnering with
other non profits to provide a serenity garden for a homeless women’s
shelter to participating in legislative efforts to stop child prostitution.
Shannon Daly of the Fulton Gwinnett Junior League has seventy-six fully active volunteers who are motivated and committed with 8-40 hours of community service. She provided an exhaustive list of programs in her community such as mini grants for teachers to obtain funding for extra projects, lobbying for women’s and children’s issues, and their education and political action committee. The lion’s share of their effort is focused on their Impact Committee, a community outreach program—Kids in the Kitchen a partnering with Whole Foods Stores, Women in Homelessness working with The Drake House and Rainbow Village and literacy Million Minute Read project; reading at libraries, book stores including Whole Foods.
Located near Turner Field,
The Study Hall serves ninety
children in an academic based after school program for low income wage
earning single parents. Krystle Rodriguez said “We want to expand our
collaborative efforts to help us serve more families”. They provide a six
week affordable summer program for $20 month. She is working to build a
volunteer child mentor program of high school, college, and professionals.
Robert W. Moore, Head
Master of Mill Springs Academy, a
private school for non-traditional learners discussed the variety of school
choices for parents with children with special needs. Parents can obtain
scholarships that are made available as portable grants available to 1600
kids in the
Brenda Tollett, president,
closed the meeting with a brief overview of the mission and goals of
Choices