When Brian Richards began taking Financial Achievement Club classes through Community Restoration Project (CRP), his credit score was 512. After just three months of participation, it rose over 100 points. “It is a wonderful club. It really made me what I am today, [who] is a person who likes to make money and go to […]
Category: Thought Leadership
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
How to Give Green This Season: Rescue, Restore, Serve
By Nikki Belmonte “I don’t have much longer on this planet, and I want to spend my time in service.” That was a sentiment shared with me recently by one of our volunteers, Marilynne. She was voicing her frustration with the commercial box stores selling the invasive, exotic plants that we at Georgia Native Plant […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Giving Tuesday: A Day to Give Back to Those in Need
As we prepare for the holiday season, it is essential to remember the true essence of this time of year – giving back to those in need. On November 28th, we celebrate Giving Tuesday, a day specifically designated for this purpose. At Goodwill of North Georgia, we take pride in being a part of this […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
The Best of Humanity: Metro Atlanta’s Youth of the Year
By David Jernigan, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta At a time when the world seems to be falling apart, when mass shootings are on the rise, when war is taking hold in both Ukraine and the Middle East, and when hatred seems to be on full display, I needed […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Give Thanks by Giving Back
As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to remember the significance of Thanksgiving and its impact on our communities. At Goodwill of North Georgia, we believe that Thanksgiving is not just about the food and festivities but also about coming together with gratitude and appreciation for what we have and have to give. We […]
Posted inHigher Education
New Emory institute harnesses the power of AI to improve health equity, patient outcomes
Emory University is embarking on a new initiative that will unite the power of machine learning and big data to transform the ways in which health care systems prevent, diagnose, treat and cure diseases on a global scale. Launching this month under the umbrella of Emory’s AI.Humanity initiative, the Emory Empathetic AI for Health Institute will utilize […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Empowering the Future: Championing democracy and civic education for high school students
By Jovan Paige, program officer Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta From coast to coast, there is an undeniable surge of interest and participation in democracy, signifying a fresh wave of accountability and empowerment. This trend is particularly pronounced in metropolitan hubs like Atlanta, where our community has a rich history of active civic engagement. In […]
Posted inSustainable Communities
Reinvestment Fund’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative is Expanding Food Access in the Southeast
By Kahfii King, Program Manager Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reinvestment Fund has developed a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to improving the food landscape for underserved urban and rural communities. A key component of the approach is America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), a public-private partnership administered by Reinvestment Fund on behalf of USDA Rural Development […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Raise your Park IQ and experience the brilliance of fall with Park Pride!
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager Fall is in full effect in Atlanta — with the leaves changing and boasting their multi-colored glory! Not only is this a great time to get outside, but also a prime opportunity to show up for your local parks. Over at Park Pride, we’ve been […]
Posted inAtlanta Housing
Restoring Community: The Rebuilding of Bowen Homes
By Terri M. Lee An Atlanta that everyone can afford to call home is possible when we prioritize affordable housing products and our people. This is not conjecture or platitude. It is the principle upon which we are building one of the city’s most significant affordable housing redevelopments. Situated on Atlanta’s Westside, Bowen Homes was […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Clayton-based nonprofit nurtures the minds and bodies of their littlest residents
Wande Okunoren-Meadows, Executive Director of Hand, Heart and Soul Project (HHSP), isn’t one to wait for permission. As a self-described “agitator,” her perseverance and dedication to the work is why the nonprofit is where it is today — and has plenty more room to grow. Co-founded by Okunoren-Meadows and her mother in 2018, HHSP advocates […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
A Fun Gathering, a Fabulous Headliner, and Support For GEEARS: The Top Reasons You Want to Come to GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon
This year, GEEARS’ Annual Luncheon happens, appropriately enough, on Giving Tuesday, November 28th, at the Whitley Hotel. While the event is a fundraiser for us, we like to think the giving goes both ways! Three Reasons to Buy Your Annual Luncheon Tickets Today This mid-day soiree is famously fun. There’ll be, of course, a delicious […]
Posted inMoney Matters
Making a List, Checking It Twice: How to Get Through the Holiday Season with Your Budget Intact
The holidays are once again upon us, bringing with it the joy — and stress — of finding the perfect gift for that special someone. And while consumer spending is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels for the first time this season, there’s no reason for everyone to hop on the bandwagon. In fact, Primerica’s most recent Financial Security […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Honoring Our Veterans: Goodwill of North Georgia’s Commitment to Service
As we commemorate another Veterans Day this past weekend, it is crucial to reflect on the sacrifices made by our veterans to sustain the safety and freedom of our country. Goodwill of North Georgia acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans and is proud to honor them every day. Goodwill of North Georgia has […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
A Solar Future Where People and Nature Thrive
by Michael O’Reilly, Director of Policy and Climate Strategy, The Nature Conservancy Georgia is growing fast. To meet the energy needs of our expanding population and economy, electric utilities see large solar arrays as a key source for clean, low-cost energy. Solar energy is a smart choice for sunny Georgia if we do it in […]
Posted inSustainable Communities
G. Naeema Gilyard receives Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership
Metro Atlanta’s Naeema Gilyard is one of five national recipients of NeighborWorks America’s Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership. Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership nominated Gilyard for her work in environmental activism aimed at creating healthier environments for neighborhoods in Atlanta and Fulton County. Last weekend, NeighborWorks America honored Gilyard and the other resident leaders at a ceremony during the […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Goodwill of North Georgia supports Veterans through transitional program ‘First Choice’
Veterans Day, previously known as Armistice Day, is a U.S. legal holiday that honors the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. As the holiday approaches, Goodwill of North Georgia takes pride in our commitment to supporting veterans in the community. Our mission of putting people to work includes understanding the unique challenges […]
Posted inHigher Education
Emory University establishes center to study how climate change impacts human health
A team of researchers from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health has been awarded a $3.8M grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a center to study the impacts of climate change on health and help develop action-oriented strategies to protect the health of individuals and communities. Emory was one of the first […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Atlanta region comes together to address harrowing racial wealth divide
In October 2022, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and a collaborative of nearly 50 partners worked with Wells Fargo on the Wealth Opportunity Realized Through Homeownership (WORTH) initiative. The group had one, singular goal: to build or preserve 6,000 homes for families of color by 2026. Just one year after that announcement, initial results […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Women United to host annual Toast to Her
Join Women United for their annual Toast to Her celebration! What: Toast to Her is a fun-filled after work event that consists of networking, complimentary headshots, and a program that will honor incredible women who are making a difference in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and technology. Who: Honorees include owner of 3 Parks Wine Shop Sarah […]
