Celebrating Our Past Securing Our Future
The Past
The Present
Agape began as an outreach ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church. The Senior Pastor at the time, Joanna Adams, wanted to get her congregation directly involved in a special initiative to help under-served communities. Trinity decided on a community center and identified the Bolton Road neighborhood because of its close proximity to the church – three miles to be exact. The result was a once-a-week afterschool program for 25 students from the Hampton Oaks Housing Development and a day program for senior citizens.
Following a successful $8.5 million, four-year capital campaign that launched fall of 2015, Agape moved into a 35,000 square foot facility on Marietta Boulevard, bringing all programming under one roof. The new facility has afforded Agape the opportunity to enhance and expand programming and increase capacity for the number of children served in the community.
In 2003, Agape expanded to a three-daya-week program and a five-day-a-week program the following year. In later years, Agape opened additional locations to include students from other schools and neighborhoods. Agape expanded programming to better fit the needs of students with the addition of summer camp programs, in-school support, and multiple parenting and emergency assistance programs for the parents of students. Agape also introduced the concept of legacy students, prioritizing the enrollment of younger students who had older siblings in the program to serve the entire family.
1
As COVID-19 hit in 2020, with the help of many generous grants and donations, Agape was able to pivot programming to virtual and provide students with the necessary technology to participate in online school, as well as provide over $125,000 in grocery gift cards, utility and rent assistance. In October 2020, Agape reopened its facility to address the challenges students were having with online schooling. The Agape facility became a day school for many students to hold them accountable, provide stable technology and a conducive environment for learning. In August 2021, Agape expanded programming to Scott Elementary in the Douglass High School Cluster, enrolling 26 students. In addition, Agape recently celebrated three 13-year participants who were enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade. On average, Agape students remain in the program for 11 years.
25 Years of Agape
25 YEARS of Programs & Services Mission To empower and support under-served children and families to discover, embrace and achieve their full potential. Agape achieves this mission by providing academic support and family services focusing on character development, reading proficiency by third grade, high school graduation and post-graduation placement.
Programs Agape offers in-school, after-school and summer programming for 225 children and 110 families. Agape’s programming is uniquely embedded in the school system, which results in a positive impact on educational outcomes. Families and households represent nearly 500 individuals (including parents, siblings, and relatives) meaning Agape is making a significant impact not just on its students but the community as a whole.
Through The Years
500+
11
10,000
55,000
196
300,000+
Children enrolled in Agape programs
Backpacks, toys and coats distributed
Average number of years enrolled in programs
Bedroom makeovers completed
Turkeys and food baskets distributed
Meals served
25 Years of Agape 2
25 YEARS of Transformational Change
1,027
What does Agape do?
Hours of programming to our students each year
Agape offers 1,027 hours of programming to our students each year. This amount of programming gives Agape the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a student’s growth and trajectory.
In-School
After-School
Summer Camp
3 Hours
4 Hours per day
7 Hours per day
9 Months per year
5 Days per week
5 Days per week
27 Hours per year
36 Weeks per year
8 Weeks per year
per child
720 Hours per year
280 Hours per year
per child
per child
Why Agape Agape believes that education is the key to overcoming generational poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate for Americans with no High School Diploma is 25%. Finishing high school increases a student’s chance of overcoming poverty by 48%. POVERTY RATE BY EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
25%
13%
8%
4%
Drop Out
HS Degree
Some College
Bachelor’s Degree
3 25 Years of Agape
25 YEARS of Exposure Over the last 25 years Agape has been intentional about exposing students to opportunities outside of their current environments. Agape students have participated in educational and recreational field trips visiting locations such as the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the World of Coca-Cola, to name a few. Agape also recognized the importance of introducing middle and high school students to colleges and universities to help them envision their future and realize that college is a possibility. To that end, students have visited colleges such as University of Georgia, Georgia State University, University of Florida, Auburn University and the University of Alabama. In partnership with Julie’s Dream, Agape students have traveled more than 6,000 miles in the last three years, hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, kayaking in Maine and camping and canoeing in North Carolina. In addition, students have participated in white water rafting, horseback riding and other outdoor excursions where they were able to overcome fears and embrace change.
4
“We know if we can change the life of one child, then we are changing an entire generation.” — Nell Benn, CEO
5
25 YEARS of Impact Rickey began participating in Agape programs as a fourth-grade student and continued with Agape as he progressed through high school. Agape continued to support Rickey as he began his journey as a first-generation college student. This is how we Grow to Grad!
4th Grader at Bolton Academy
2018 Graduate Bard College
“The world around me doesn’t dictate how far I go in life.” — Rickey, Agape Alum Agape is unique because on average, our high school seniors are enrolled in our programs for 11 years. Since 2009, 95% of Agape seniors have graduated high school. All graduating seniors have moved on to either college, technical school or full-time employment.
95%
High school graduation rate
54%
College and Technical School
11
Average years in Agape programs
25 Years of Agape 6
“Agape becomes your family, I’ve never felt like I’ve been alone since I joined the program.” — Caren, Agape Alum
7
25 YEARS of Hope
Caren “Agape has been there for some of the most crucial moments of my life,” Caren says. Caren was eight years old when she began participating in Agape’s after-school program, and from the very beginning, Agape instilled in her a love and appreciation for education. While in high school, Agape recommended Caren for American Explorers, a four-year youth development program run by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. A backpacking trip in Montana was her first time away from her family and her first time hiking. The next summer she traveled to North Carolina for an Outward Bound experience. By participating in this program, she developed a love of camping and hiking that continues to this day. When it came time to apply to college, Caren says “getting into college was never a doubt, because Agape never let me doubt myself that way.” Celebrating her admission to Elon University with Agape staff is one of her favorite memories. Caren received a scholarship from the Florez Family through Agape to help with her education and graduation from Elon in 2021. While at Elon, Agape’s financial support enabled Caren to study abroad in Berlin, Germany, where she studied German history and experienced the city’s rich cultural offerings. Caren is currently a fellow in Elon’s Year of Service Fellows Program in North Carolina. She is now considering a career on the front line of healthcare and applying to graduate programs in Nursing, Public Health, Global Health, and Behavioral Health. In thinking about the future, Caren is looking forward to continuing the work of improving her community.
—Caren, Agape Alum, 2021 Elon University Graduate
25 Years of Agape 8
Timeline
1997
Began as an outreach ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Served 25 children one day a week from Hampton Oaks Housing Development. Agape also began a Day Program for Senior Citizens.
2003
Expanded to three days a week and five days a week the following year, increasing the number of children served at partnering schools.
2005
Launched the annual Great Backpack Giveaway and Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway. As of today, Agape has distributed over 30,000 backpacks with school supplies and 10,000 turkeys and food baskets.
2008
Expanded to E. Rivers Elementary, serving Central Mobile Home Village.
2009
Expanded to Moore’s Mill Village as a satellite location, increasing the number of children served in its after-school and summer programs.
2010
Agape closed Moore’s Mill Village and opened satellite locations at Trinity Presbyterian Church and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church – now operating in three locations, including the Agape facility on Bolton Road.
9 25 Years of Agape
Agape partners with Georgia State University for its first Extreme Bedroom Makeover providing beds and new bedrooms for the Agape children. Today, 196 makeovers have been completed.
2011
Agape celebrates its first college graduate from Albany State University.
2012
Received multiple critical grants including $300,000 from the Goizueta Foundation to provide full-time education specialists in partnering schools. $100,000 grant from A Million Matters to purchase two 66-passenger school buses.
Launched annual Holiday Gift Store for the community.
2015
Initiated a four-year $8.5 million capital campaign for the purchase and renovation of a building – approximately one mile from the Bolton Road location.
2017
Agape completes the capital campaign in two years exceeding the $8.5 million goal.
2018
Agape moved into its new 35,000 square foot facility located at 2210 Marietta Boulevard, bringing all programming under one roof.
2020
Celebrated the first 13-year participant, the first student to attend Agape from kindergarten – 12th grade.
2021
Agape expands to Scott Elementary.
2022
Agape celebrates 25th Anniversary and launches $2.5 million capital campaign.
Agape wins True Inspiration Award from Chick-fil-a receiving a $125,000 grant. Agape pivoted to virtual services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued to deliver meals and supported families with virtual tutoring each day.
25 Years of Agape
10
25 YEARS of Growth
During the fall of 2015, Agape launched an $8.5 million capital campaign for the purchase and renovation of a building located on Marietta Boulevard. Under the leadership of campaign co-chairs, Lesley Carroll and Bonnie Harris, Agape completed the four-year campaign in two years and moved into its new 35,000 square foot facility in January 2018. This new facility afforded Agape the opportunity to bring all programming under one roof. Agape’s new facility includes a commercial kitchen, ten classrooms, library, gymnasium, recreation room and computer lab.
11
25 YEARS of Community Partnerships
“I love coming to Agape because it helps me try new things.” — Scott Elementary Student After being delayed for two years, due to COVID-19, Agape was able to complete a promise to engage a new community of students during the fall of 2021. In partnership with the Scott Elementary School community, the Agape staff worked diligently to identify 26 students grades kindergarten through 3rd who were in need of additional academic in-school and after-school support and resources. The Scott partnership extends Agape’s footprint further into the Northwest Atlanta community and further cements the sustainability of programs designed to empower children. Agape will support this new partnership with Scott students and their families through middle and high school, helping them discover, embrace and achieve their full potential. Bolton Academy • E. Rivers Elementary School • Scott Elementary School Sutton Middle School • North Atlanta High School • Atlanta Classical Academy 12 25 Years of Agape 6
Embracing The Next 25 YEARS The Future In 2022, Agape celebrates 25 years of accomplishing its mission of helping students and families discover, embrace and achieve their full potential. Agape’s 25th anniversary will be a year of celebrating the past and securing the future as Agape launches a $2.5 million capital campaign.
The $2.5 million is earmarked for the creation of outdoor space with a turf field, courtyard and outdoor programming, new buses, technology, creation of a makerspace, building maintenance fund and the initiation of an endowment.
The Backyard/ Outdoor Space
Technology Updates & STEAM Programming
Buses & Transportation
Permanent Endowment
Building Maintenance
A fresh air environment for classroom engagement, study, & social-emotional learning
Adding new computers and iPads, 3D printer, cameras and more to enhance STEAM learning
Adding two new 66-passenger buses to replace aging vehicles
Building organizational resilience and preparing for future unanticipated financial needs
A fund to prepare for building improvements
Capacity Building Outdoor Space Technology/STEAM Transportation/Buses
$ 650,000 $ 350,000 $ 250,000
Financial Sustainability Endowment Maintenance Reserve
Professional & Contingency Costs Total
$ 1,000,000 $ 200,000
$ 50,000
$ 2,500,000
13 25 Years of Agape
The Agape BACKYARD
Play. Learn. Explore. 25 Years of Agape 14
25 YEARS of Thanks During Agape’s rich history, your time, talent and treasure have played an integral role in our success. We are fortunate to have tremendous donor and volunteer support from foundations, individuals, civic and faith-based organizations, corporate and school communities. Our accomplishments were only possible because of YOU! Thank you!
25 Years of Leadership Agape Board of Directors 2022 Dr. Peter Barratt, Board Chair Brandon Van Orden, Past Chair Paula Andrews Elaine Armstrong Rachel Byrd Julio Carrillo Susan Cimbalo Kathryn Cook Caroline Crawford Alex Diaz Maggie Foster Uma Haynes Lacy Hernandez Yendelela Holston Clara Jefferson Katie Kittridge Martin McClendon Felicia Moore Maria Claudia Palacios Lucille Perry Brian Rogers Lucy Strong Karen Taylor April Tesmer Chip Thompson Jefferey Tompkins Bill Verner Freda Walker Chip Watson Nell Benn, Agape CEO
2210 Marietta Boulevard NW Atlanta, Georgia 30318 (404) 355-1877 agapeatlanta.org
Agape Advisory Council 2022 Joanna Adams Nicole Allen Lisa Bankoff Molly Battin Berney Bridges Jack Calhoun Lesley Carroll Andrew Crews Elizabeth Fairman John Ferguson Marie Foster Ashley Groome Jane Hardesty Bonnie Harris Mike Hobbs Laurie Hood Raphael Holloway Elizabeth Klump Jeff Laue Fontaine Lee Bentley Long Garry Long Bill Montgomery Melissa Moseley Laura O’Neill Elizabeth Pearce Tom Puricelli Stella Ringer Shayla Rumely Eileen Scherberger Holly Sims Forrest Speed Jim Stokes Lauri Strauss Sarah Williams
25th Anniversary Campaign Committee John Oglesby, Campaign Co-Chair Eileen Scherberger, Campaign Co-Chair Lisa Bankoff Lesley Carroll Caroline Crawford Marie Foster Bonnie Harris
1997 – 2001 2002 – 2006 2007 2007 – 2008 2009 – 2010 2011 – 2012 2013 – 2015 2016 – 2017 2018 – 2019 2020 – 2021