Atlanta Angels
Atlanta Angels is a local chapter of the National Angels network, which has been transforming the foster care experience since 2010. It began with a simple but powerful idea: relational trauma is healed through healthy relationships. The Atlanta chapter was co-founded by an adoptive mom and foster mom in Cobb County, who both had firsthand experience with Georgia’s foster system.
The mission of Atlanta Angels is to walk alongside children, youth and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship. The vision is to ensure that every foster parent feels radically supported and every child and youth in foster care has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
One beautiful example of their programs at work comes from Alana and Pam. Alana connected with Atlanta Angels after recently aging out of care and becoming one of the 20% of young adults experiencing homelessness after aging out of care. A Program Coordinator met her for a warm meal, which ignited a transformation in her life. After being matched with Pam as her mentor, Alana tackled her program milestones with a level of determination and resilience that we admire greatly. Today, Alana has left homelessness and addiction behind, has an apartment of her own, is in school working towards her degree in automotive studies and is working in the automotive industry. Everyone at Atlanta Angels is so proud of Alana. We all need healthy, encouraging relationships to thrive, and it's incredible to see what she has done with someone in her corner.
Volunteers have the opportunity to be matched with youth experiencing foster care or with a fostering family, providing meaningful support and encouragement throughout their journey. AtlantaAngels.org
Furkids Animal Rescue & Shelters
Furkids was founded in 2002 by Atlanta native Samantha Shelton after she discovered a frightened mother cat and three kittens outside her home. When she learned the family would likely be euthanized because the local shelter lacked space, Samantha stepped in to save them. What began as a small foster network has grown into one of Georgia’s largest no-kill animal rescue organizations. Furkids has rescued and altered more than 80,000 animals and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027.
Furkids gives animals with nowhere else to turn the time, medical care and compassion they need to heal and find loving homes. Its no-kill model extends to animals who are critically injured, chronically ill, orphaned or frequently overlooked because of their age or medical needs. By healing each animal physically and emotionally, Furkids gives thousands of cats and dogs every year the chance not simply to survive, but to begin again. Its programs also address animal overpopulation and help keep pets with the people who love them through spay and neuter services, affordable veterinary care, fostering, education and community support.
For an injured, sick or abandoned animal, the difference between being turned away and being saved often comes down to space and access to medical care. In 2026, Furkids opened two state-of-the-art facilities, the Sutherlin Dog Shelter and Giaquinto Medical Center, at its nine-acre headquarters campus near Alpharetta, giving the organization the ability to say yes to more animals with nowhere else to go. Together with its award-winning, cage-free cat shelter, the new facilities bring rescue, veterinary medicine, rehabilitation and adoption together on one campus, while expanding access to affordable veterinary services for community pets. With the full campus now operational, Furkids expects to double the number of animals it can save each year.
Readers can adopt or foster an animal, volunteer, make a donation, contribute needed supplies or support Furkids by shopping at or donating gently used items to one of its thrift stores. Furkids’ Johns Creek Thrift Store and Pet Boutique are located at 9850 Nesbit Ferry Road, making it especially easy for North Fulton residents to support the organization locally. Thrift-store revenue provides approximately one-third of Furkids’ annual operating budget, helping fund medical care, shelter and food for hundreds of animals each day.
Johns Creek Thrift Store and Furkins Pet Boutique at 9850 Nesbit Ferry Rd.
FurKids.org
Giving Kitchen
In 2012, Atlanta chef Ryan "Hidi" Hidinger was diagnosed with stage-four cancer. Friends and colleagues across the restaurant community rallied around Ryan and his wife, Jen, helping cover the family's living expenses during his treatment. That extraordinary response became the foundation for Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit created in 2013 to make sure food service workers facing crisis have somewhere to turn.
Today, Giving Kitchen serves food service workers nationwide — from restaurants, bars and coffee shops to catering, concessions, cafeterias and food trucks. Giving Kitchen provides emergency financial assistance to workers facing illness, injury, the death of an immediate family member or a housing disaster, and connects them to a network of community resources spanning housing, health, employment and family services. Since its founding, Giving Kitchen has helped more than 41,000 food service workers and awarded more than $18 million in financial assistance.
But supporting the food service industry isn't only about showing up when something goes wrong — it's about celebrating the people who make food service what it is. Two out of three Americans have worked in food service. It's where friendships form, families are supported and communities are built.
Giving Kitchen's vision is to build a food service community where crisis is met with compassion and care. Help support its mission to provide critical support to food service workers during their darkest times.
This holiday season, the need is greater than ever. Help make sure no food service worker faces crisis alone by making a gift and supporting GK’s mission: Donate.GivingKitchen.org/Save-a-Seat
Atlanta Outdoor Club
On any given day in metro Atlanta, a group of strangers is lacing up at a trailhead along the Chattahoochee, at Sweetwater Creek or on Kennesaw Mountain. By the end of the hike, they aren't strangers anymore. The trails are where connections begin.
Founded in 2000, the AOC is one of Atlanta's largest outdoor communities, with about 2,500 members and more than 50 events every week. Membership is free and open to adults 21 and older. Every event is led by a volunteer trip leader, and each carries a difficulty rating so members can pick their challenge and work their way up.
You'll find weekday evening loops, early-morning in-town walks, BeltLine urban hikes and full-day climbs in the North Georgia and Carolina mountains. But hiking is just the start. Members backpack, kayak, go caving, whitewater raft, bike and paddleboard.
Multi-day trips take groups to national parks, along the Appalachian Trail, and past trips to destinations include Peru, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland. AOC Learn events teach skills from beginner hiking to backpacking, and social events keep friendships going off the trail. The club also gives back to the places members love, volunteering with the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.
Gerrilyn grew up in a family where "hike" wasn't in the vocabulary. After retiring as a federal judge, she signed up for a trail run. "I had no idea what a trail run was," she admits. A patient trip leader waited at every intersection. Seven years and 600-plus hikes later, she leads events herself. For longtime member Bob, the club offers "the social network to enjoy the outdoors with people who have similar interests."
Christa, who once hiked alone, puts it simply: "The best adventures are the ones we share.” Some members come for the big adventures. Clay called the 12-day Tour du Mont Blanc his favorite event: "Words cannot describe the beauty you will see."
Kip says, "When I began to hike regularly with the AOC, my health and fitness improved dramatically.” Greg grew up hiking the Appalachian foothills as a Boy Scout, then discovered Georgia's Blue Ridge trails after coming to Atlanta for college.
Ann, a member since 2006, says: "Returning to the outdoors is a satisfying spiritual experience.” Kiran, a member since 2007, discovered his love of hiking in India's Western Ghats. Others start small and messy. Deema, a lifelong city girl, took her first trail hike on a cold January evening in 2024, trying to keep up with strangers in the dark and dodging mud puddles. "I ruined my favorite sneakers, and I've never been happier."
Lekotek of Georgia
Founded in 1983 by Helene Prokesch, a special education teacher who saw the potential of using play to help children with disabilities learn, develop skills and connect with their families. Helene remains Lekotek's Executive Director today.
Lekotek of Georgia facilitates the inclusion of children with disabilities into their families, schools and communities by providing accessible play, adapted toys, technology, information and resources. "Our vision is a world where children with disabilities are included and empowered through play."
At Lekotek, play is more than fun—it is a way for children to explore, communicate, build skills and connect with the people around them. Lekotek Leaders create individualized play experiences using adapted toys, assistive technology and other resources designed around each child's abilities and interests. Families also borrow toys to continue learning and playing together at home.
Lekotek offers computer clubs and LekoPals, family and sibling programs, music and Happy Tails, summer camps and community events that give children with disabilities opportunities to learn, socialize and participate alongside their families and peers. With six locations in Tucker, Kennesaw, Duluth, Alpharetta, Gainesville and Peachtree City, Lekotek brings these opportunities to families throughout the greater Atlanta area.
Volunteer and help at family events, special events and other volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Donations help Lekotek provide adapted toys, technology, individualized play experiences and family programs. Get your company involved: Businesses can volunteer, sponsor events, become a corporate partner or support Lekotek through employee engagement opportunities. LekotekGA.org
Lekotek Leaders create individualized play experiences using adapted toys, assistive technology and other resources designed around each child's abilities and interests.