Inspire Atlanta 2024

Success isn't just about what you accomplish in life, it's about what you inspire others to do!

Here’s WHAT’S HAPPENING:

I am excited to work together with an amazing group of professional women, who believe in being of service to other women! Together we are set to raise $500,000 for strategic grantmaking through the Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) and change the lives of at least 5,000 girls who are impacted by poverty while growing up in the metro Atlanta area. Through their collective impact model, AWF will amplify our funds raised by supporting nonprofit organizations that solely serve the needs of women and girls.

Here's my WHY:

I have spent much of my career as a teacher and a mental health therapist in underprivileged communities and have been attentive to the negative effects of poverty on families. For women and girls, there are specific issues that adversely affect them individually and ultimately, their families. I’ve heard from single mothers when situations arise like, “I don’t have childcare so I can’t go to work” or “I can’t leave work to pick up my child or else I’ll get fired”. It’s hard to hear from a student, “I had to watch my baby cousin, so I couldn’t come to school”. These barrier situations break my heart every time I hear them because they can be eased and oftentimes avoided, with the support of resources in the community.

One of my most memorable fourth grade students, who I will call Ebony, was fascinated with K-Pop music but her mom worked full time and was enrolled in nursing CNA classes and could not afford to foster this passion of Ebony’s. Ebony was smart, motivated, and showed great promise, but needed to spend her afternoons watching younger siblings while her mother worked tirelessly to give her family more opportunity. When a six week after-school music program became available (because music was removed from the public-school curriculum), Ebony wanted desperately to attend and just learn about making good music! However, her mom did not see a way to make it happen due to financial constraints and access to affordable childcare. I remember working determinedly with Ebony’s mom to find money, childcare, and transportation for Ebony to get a glimpse of what it might be like to enjoy her passion. I remember thinking about how quickly I can say yes to my children for anything they wish to pursue, and yet it is a major undertaking for mothers living in poverty and without various resources. Ebony’s mom wanted to say yes, but circumstances prohibited her. It’s heartbreaking to want something for your children and not be able to provide it. We all want to provide our children with meaningful opportunities and the promise to engage with their passions!

Here's my ASK OF YOU:

Like you, I have donated money and I’ve volunteered my time, but I often wondered “Are my dollars making a difference?” By working alongside the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, I am taking the opportunity to elevate my philanthropic works because they give solely to nonprofit organizations that have been vetted and proven to robustly benefit women and girls! The AWF collective impact model aims to ensure that girls are empowered through education, socio-emotional development, financial literacy, and pregnancy prevention. We will support them in providing the critical combination of services needed for today’s girls to be on a level playing field with their peers.

Please join me in my efforts by donating to my campaign at a level that is meaningful to you!

*Please consider if your company can contribute a matching gift of your contribution

** Please consider business sponsorships starting at the $1,500 level. Benefits included!

***See examples of exactly what your dollars will do for the community below.

Here’s my THANK YOU:

I am incredibly grateful and appreciative of your support as I work to enthusiastically fundraise and be a catalyst for change in the Atlanta area. When you invest in the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, your financial impact on women and girls goes further – creating stronger, more stable families and communities!