Foster Care In GA

Recently we had the opportunity to hear enlightening facts about Foster Care in Georgia from our friend Andi at Bethany Services. Andi expressed to us the huge need for foster families and the measures being taken at Bethany Services to help increase the number of foster families in Georgia.

Here are some brief facts about Foster Care in Georgia specifically :

• An alarming growth in the number of abused and neglected children in the state of Georgia has led to a corresponding increase in the number of children in state custody from a little over 7,000 in 2012 to more than 11,000 in 2015 (GA DFCS).

• The state has seen a 58 % increase in Child Protective Services calls leading to a higher capacity need for youth in the foster care system.

• In 2015 alone, DFCS has seen an increase of 12.5% in placements and predict a 7.5% increase in 2016.

• The capacity needs for Georgia's foster children has increased faster than the expansion of placement options which has led to housing children in hotel rooms.

We are honored to work with Bethany Services as they work in collaboration with the state to increase foster families and decrease the cycle of children in foster care.

Ms. Hamilton's Story

The Hamilton's are an inspiring foster family at Bethany Services. Their story is amazing and inspiring. Enjoy reading their journey to Foster care

"In 1993, Ms. Hamilton came to the United States from Sierra Leone pregnant with her daughter, Edna.  It was a difficult pregnancy. She experienced many complications, almost losing her child.  The doctor told Ms. Hamilton that there was a possibility that Edna could be born mentally handicapped and/or severely developmentally delayed.  After her birth, Edna spent two weeks in the Neonatal ICU.  During this time, Ms. Hamilton made a promise to God that if Edna survived and developed into a healthy child, then she would dedicate her life to caring for medically fragile children through foster care.  By the grace of God, Edna did thrive and has grown into a bright young woman.   
Ms. Hamilton and her family have been able to fulfill her promise to God by fostering over 36 medically fragile children through Bethany for the past 11 years. Edna also wanted to honor God’s blessing by loving on and caring for children who are unable to care for themselves. She has been a huge support to Ms. Hamilton in caring for medically fragile foster children.  
In 2010, God led Ms. Hamilton to meet her Arthur, who was placed in a facility for physically and mentally challenged children.  He was in this facility because no onewould commit to adopting him.  When Arthur came into the room where Ms. Hamilton was seated, he insisted he wanted to get out of his wheelchair.  A medical assistant helped him out of his wheelchair and he proceeded to crawl over to a counter to pick out a flower.  He approached Ms. Hamilton, out of all the people in the room, and gave her the flower.  He then placed his head on her lap.  It was not Ms. Hamilton’s intentions to adopt a child at that time.  But she believed that this was God’s way of telling her that Arthur was her son.
In her time as a foster parent with Bethany Christian Services, Ms. Hamilton has made such a difference in the lives of the children she has touched.  She is currently fostering two medically fragile children named Kayla and Chevanne.  Kayla has been in Olive’s care for ten years.  Chevanne was terminally ill and spent many months in the hospital.  After being in the Hamilton’s home for a few months, Chevanne’s DFCS case manager could not believe all the positive progress she has made.  The case manager made the statement that “I can’t believe that this is the same child who was hospitalized not too long ago.”
Ms. Hamilton is a story of true faith and compassion for children with special needs.  She provides these children with the best quality of life possible through the love and care she constantly dotes on them. "

new video series by charity : water

charity:water recently launched their own version of the "Tasty" videos in conjunction with Buzzfeed partners. These videos were created to re-share onsocial channels to bring awareness to the contaminated water that 663 million people are drinking every day.

Check out the videos here & don't forget to share with your friends!

Alicia's Story

Enjoy this story of Alicia Dawkins, a Villages resident, Drew and Sheltering Arms parent, and Drew employee who benefits from the East Lake Foundation’s early childhood scholarship.

Uploaded by EastLakeFdnAtlanta on 2015-10-27.

RISE After School Program

One project that we get to partner with at The East Lake Foundation is their "RISE" afterschool program at Drew Charter School. This program serves over 400 youth - ages pre-k through grade 5. This program offers a variety of academic, enrichment, and cultural activities "that strategically reinforce and supplement the school's curriculum and STEAM (A is added for the arts!) model.

The program operates from 4:00pm-6:00pm every weekday - which is crucial for two reasons. 1. it provides 380 additional hours of instruction a year. 2. Creates a solution for many working parents who are unable to pick up their children after school.

Together we are able to help provide additional tools to reinforce student's school day learning in a fun and engaging manner.

• 30 laptops: for each instructor to be used to engage students on the academic days. Currently,  ASP instructors have limited access to technology during the program. ASP designated computers would enable the teachers to utilize online tools and teaching programs with students. Quarterly projects can then be more technology focused and provide an opportunity for more details, technical based instruction.

• Bricklab Classroom Sets for K-5 : these engage students in project based learning activities that help strengthen students in Common Core areas of Science, math, social studies, and literacy. Each set supports 30 students. We would like to provide 2 sets per grade level.
• 3D Systems CubePro Pack:  Will allow students to work through the steps of creating and building designs and then giving them the opportunity to watch those designs come to life through 3D printing. The pack also includes a 3D scanner and all of the software needed for students to build. In conjunction with the laptops, this pack can be used for a variety of STEM related projects for the program

Early education costs more than college!?

Yes, you read the title correct. Recently an article came out stating that it costs more to educate a child under 5 than to pay for a college degree in Georgia. (Read the entire article here )

This makes it very challenging for all families to afford quality early programming, but especially families of low income. Thankfully, The East Lake Foundation believes that better is possible.

The East Lake Foundation views early childhood programing critical as achievement gaps are significantly narrowed for children who are able to receive high quality early childhood education. They also believe that this should be available for all children, which is why they raise scholarship support for 46 Villages children who attend Sheltering Arms. 

That means that these families are able to work and their children are able to receive high quality education....BRILLIANT!

Impact Of East Lake Foundation

Check out this amazing video about the impact East Lake Foundation is having in the community - told by a East Lake Resident whose family has been apart of East Lake for many generations!

Shannon Longino, former East Lake Meadows and Villages resident and granddaughter of Eva Davis, shares her memories of the first meetings with Mr. Tom Cousins and the start of the East Lake Foundation.