It was a leap of faith to relocate our family to Roswell during the pandemic, after working in New York City for 25 years. Not only does this beautiful region have wonderful economic development momentum, but we also have a big heart. We do not take our abundance of opportunity for granted. I am inspired by learning about the various charitable organizations locally, and most recently through my involvement with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC).
One of GNFCC’s opportunities is the Leadership North Fulton (LNF) program – the ultimate cross-connect of service and leadership. Leadership North Fulton has been the region’s signature leadership development program for more than 30 years. Each year, graduating participants join the ranks of more than 500 LNF alumni in continuing to invest their time, talent, and resources in our community.
Each LNF class selects a service project whereby its 35 classmates collaborate and utilize the group's talents, all having varied careers, skills, and backgrounds, which will ultimately have a lasting impact on the region.
This year’s class chose to work with Foster Care Support Foundation (FCSF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public charity organization, serving a vital and growing need throughout Georgia, by providing free clothing, infant equipment, and developmental toys to thousands of children in foster and relative care.
The mission of FCSF is to strengthen foster and relative care families' ability to meet their displaced children's needs. About 75% of the 4,500 children served in Georgia are now raised by grandparents, without the biological parent involvement, due to drugs, abuse, neglect or abandonment. Most of the relative caregivers receive no stipend to help raise the children.
The noteworthy deliverables for FCSF provided by the 2024 LNF class are: 1) facility expansion blueprints, 2) new building signage to greet patrons, donors, and volunteers, 3) a donated commercial-grade printer, and 4) a fundraising awareness campaign, which highlighted how foster care donations can be made with Georgia State tax credits.
I am very grateful to be a recently welcomed member of this robust Greater North Fulton community, as I reflect on my participation in LNF’s Class of 2024 and our class service project. Sincerest thanks to everyone’s contributions to this effort!
The LNF Class of 2024’s graduation will be celebrated with GNFCC at their monthly luncheon on Wednesday, June 26, along with this year’s Non-Profit Awards. For more information, please visit https://gzdev.gnfcc.com/chamber-events.
If you would like more information about the Foster Care Support Foundation, including ways to donate funds, items in need, and volunteer opportunities, please visit FosterCares.org/.
Mary Miller Fazio, CFP®, CDFA® is a Financial Advisor with the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Atlanta, Georgia. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, SIPC.org. Mary Fazio may only transact business in states where she is registered or excluded or exempted from registration Advisor.MorganStanley.com/the-king-and-queen-group . Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Mary Fazio is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration. The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC6683974 06/24