THE HEART OF ATLANTA
Jack & Jill of America’s Buckhead Chapter assembling care packages for students and families at Agape!
Staff member and mentor, Monica, provides a loving and listening ear.
APRIL 2025 AGAPE STAFF LEADERSHIP
Meet Wes Wooten, Agape Senior Director of Programs & Partnerships . You may recognize his friendly face and nature if you have volunteered at Agape a time or two. He graciously steps in to lead his close-knit team, mentors our amazing students, and organizes partnerships that benefit the enrichment of our program.
When asked what sparks his passion for education, he had this to say...
“I’ve been working at Agape for about 2 years. June is my Agapeversary month. What sparks my passion for the education of children is the possibility of each moment. Children learning. Children growing. Children understanding. These sound like good moments of education to provide children, right? Well, Agape’s mission is providing over 225 children moments of self-discovery with daily tutoring, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math), and sports programs led by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Speaking of a community connection, our partnership with Emory School of Medicine this school year has had tremendous impact on our students and their families. After recent gun violence in our county last fall, Emory’s School of Medicine connected Dr. Randi Nicole Smith, a leading medical and gun violence expert, to our center to speak directly with our families and students. Dr. Smith hosted a discussion on gun violence and educated on medical procedures to prevent blood loss after a wound.
This is a program of true community connection, and I love that I get to have a part in this fulfilling work.” - Wes Wooten
To connect with Wes about Program Partnerships, email wwooten@agapeatlanta.org
Wes curated a partnership plan with Emory School of Medicine’s Dr. Randi Smtih and Dr. Cherie Hill. The program provides education to Agape families around physical, mental and emotional health.
Wes with Agape Afterschool Program students. There are 200+ K-12 students enrolled in the program.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION | We are celebrating our volunteers all month long for Global Volunteer Month! Volunteers make a significant impact on the lives of our Agape families. Our volunteers come from all walks of life with the common goal to see Agape’s mission fufilled in the City of Atlanta. The time and resources they provide as they serve is outstanding. Thank you, volunteers! We are so grateful for your service. We encourage you or your organization to volunteer and empower positive change in the lives of our students. For more information, please reach out to us at: https://agapeatlanta.org
Students average 10-12 years at Agape, providing a tremendous amount of time for them to build meaningful relationships with their mentors, volunteers and Agape Afterschool Program professionals.
This month we celebrate After School Professionals appreciation week for our Agape staff, April 20th-26th. Our staff adds immeasurable value to the success of Agape. It is the heart and minds of our after school professionals, along with their passion for our students, that provides the leadership, expertise, innovation and engagement our students deserve. When you give towards our Annual Fund , you contribute to providing our students the best of the best in the field. Thank you Agape Afterschool Program staff!
Agape employees, Heather Paige, Director of High School & Alumni Programs, with Maxima Galeana Alvarez, Manager of Acdemic & Post-Secondary Support.
WELCOME NEW AGAPE BOARD MEMBERS!
This year we have welcomed five new Agape Board Members that have generously chosen to commit their time and resources to the Agape mission. Welcome to Agape!
AGAPE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to our Youth Program Manager, Saray Cruz Reyes ! In February, Saray received recognition as a 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 Honoree from the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network! She does amazing work engaging the youth in our Afterschool Program through her high energy, genuine heart and care for the students.
2025 AGAPE CALENDAR
April 20th-26th | AFTER SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS Appreciation Week
April 20th-26th | NATIONAL Volunteer Week
Thursday, April 24th | SPRING BENEFIT: A Night of Hope
Friday, July 25th | BACK 2 SCHOOL BONANZA
Wednesday, September 17th | FLOURISH Women’s Luncheon
Saturday, August 23rd | LEVEL UP: An Agape STEM Showcase for Girls
Sunday, November 16th | AGAPE RUN 4 LOVE 5K
Please join us on our social media channels to keep up with all the excitement at the Agape Youth & Family Center.
photo: (L to R) DeWayne Griffin, Elizabeth Wickland, Becky Matherne, Phil Handler and Amar Joshi (not pictured: Jesse Wellner)