Families First

Our CEO, Paula Moody, and Troya Jackson, LCSW, Associate Director of Navigator Services, were proud to attend the Atlanta Women’s Foundation Community Investment Celebration, honoring the incredible work happening across our community and the power of investing in women, families, and lasting change.

We’re grateful for the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s generous $51,800 grant supporting our Navigator Services and Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program (TAPP).

Through TAPP, we empower young parents with the education, resources, and support they need to build safe, strong families, stay on track toward graduation, develop effective parenting skills, and promote family stability.

Thank you, Atlanta Women’s Foundation, for investing in young parents and stronger families. 💚

As summer comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an incredible season of connection and giving back. 💚

From bringing our community together for the JCY Forum on Empowering Single Moms, to welcoming more than 1,200 neighbors to our Back to School Bash, this summer was filled with opportunities to learn, serve, and strengthen families.

We also kicked off an exciting new chapter with our Major Gifts campaign, working alongside some of our most incredible donors and supporters to fortify the future of Families First and ensure families across our community have access to the support they need to thrive for generations to come.

Today may be the last day of summer, but we’re not slowing down. If anything, we’re just getting started. There’s more impact to make, more families to serve, and more opportunities ahead to build a stronger future together. 💚

Here’s to an amazing summer and all that’s still to come!

136 years ago, the Leonard Street Orphans' Home opened its doors on the Spelman College campus. Founders Lucetta Lawson and Sarah Grant cared for girls with no family support. English missionary Amy Chadwick kept the doors open for decades, giving more than 600 children stability, an education and a path forward.

From the very beginning, this work was about more than shelter. It was about keeping families connected whenever possible and making sure every child had a future to walk into.

Different name. Different century. Same promise.

Happy birthday, Families First. Here's to 136 years of strengthening families.

At Families First, we often say, “Once you’re a part of the Families First family, you’re always family.” And that includes our incredible volunteers. 💙

So much of what we do, from community events to hands-on service opportunities, is made possible because of volunteers who show up, give their time, and make an impact.

We’re intentional about creating volunteer experiences that are not only fun and meaningful, but also give your organization the opportunity to see the impact of your service and know exactly who your work is benefiting.

To all of our amazing volunteers: thank you! We’re so grateful to have you as part of the Families First family.

Is your organization looking for a fun, meaningful, and impactful volunteer experience? We’d love to have you join us. Click to learn more and get involved: https://familiesfirst.org/get-involved/volunteer/

MONTAG Wealth Management is more than a trusted sponsor and supporter of Families First. They are helping make a meaningful difference for new moms in our community.

Last week, the Montag team provided supplies to create 100 New Mom Kits for our Navigator clients and new moms in need. Each kit is filled with essentials, including hygiene products, postpartum care items, onesies, diapers, and more.

We are so grateful to the Montag team for not only donating the supplies, but also rolling up their sleeves to assemble each kit with care. 💛

Thank you, Montag, for helping us support moms and families with the essentials they need during an important season of life.

Families First has had the privilege of walking alongside Georgia families for generations. That kind of lasting impact is possible because of the exceptional leaders who have chosen to lend their time, expertise, and vision to this organization.

We’re proud to welcome 11 new members to our Board of Directors, bringing fresh perspectives, diverse expertise, and a shared commitment to strengthening families and building a stronger future for Georgia.

Our Board has played a vital role in guiding Families First through change, growth, and new opportunities to serve Georgia families. Today, we’re excited to welcome 11 new leaders who will help shape the future of Families First.

Welcome to the Families First family!

Nearly 20 years ago, Anthony and Calandria Lee walked through the doors of Families First to adopt their son, supported by Dana Brown, now our Director of Clinical and Family Support Programs.

Since then, the Lees have continued to share their story and volunteer with prospective adoptive parents, helping families who are just beginning their own journeys.

Their commitment to Families First is rooted in something deeply meaningful: giving back to the community that once poured into them. This year, the Lees became Bronze Sponsors of our Back to School Bash, choosing to invest in the families and community that have been such an important part of their story.

As Calandria shared, that first introduction to Families First changed the course of their lives. Today, they are helping make sure that same spirit of support is there for another family when they walk through our doors.

That is what community looks like. ❤️

The numbers are in, and they're incredible. This year's Back to School Bash brought our Atlanta community together in a big way, and the results speak for themselves:

📊 1,200+ attendees, representing nearly 300 families
🎒 968 backpacks stuffed and distributed
🥫 300 bags of groceries distributed, provided by Kroger
✂️ 124 haircuts given, provided by Kindred Barber
🙌 116 volunteers contributing 542 service hours
🤝 39 community partners standing alongside us

None of this happens without generosity. Every backpack, every haircut, every bag of groceries represents someone in our community choosing to show up for a family they may never meet.

We're grateful for the sponsors and partners who made this year's Back to School Bash possible: Kroger, Emory Healthcare, SmartyPants Vitamins, Kindred Barber & Beauty Academy, Anisa International, Inc., Northside Hospital, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty, CareSource Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Kaiser Permanente, Aptean, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Genuine Parts Company, TruRating, VyStar Credit Union, and Anthony and Calandria Lee.

Families First has been strengthening families in Atlanta for over 135 years, and events like this remind us why that work matters.

Happy First Day of School from our CHISPA Program! ☀️

CHISPA's Back to School Celebration was an incredible success, filled with joy, hope, and gratitude. Together, we distributed 260 backpacks filled with school supplies: 200 to Families First families and 60 through our community sponsors, helping children begin the year with confidence and excitement.

Highlights from the day:
🎒 260 backpacks distributed
🎁 Raffle prizes including $50 gift cards from our realtor sponsors
✏️ Educational kits with crayons, scissors, construction paper, and notebooks
🩺 School readiness resources from the Health Department, including vision and hearing screenings and immunization guidance

The smiles on the children's faces reminded us why this work matters.

Families First is proud to send Atlanta and Gwinnett students back to school with confidence this year. 💙