The Atlanta Women’s Foundation has invested millions of dollars in improving the lives of women and girls across the region over the past three decades.
The group’s mission fundraises for nonprofits that play a role in improving the lives of local women and girls. Northside Hospital has been a longtime supporter of this work.
“Since 1998, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation has raised over $30 million to support these nonprofit organizations,” said DiShonda Hughes, chief mission officer for AWF.
She said the Foundation helps people and organizations learn more about the needs of women and girls in the Atlanta area.
“We do that through our events and also our leadership training programs,” Hughes said. “Our strategic collective impact model funds programs in our community that help provide access to child care, workforce development, home ownership and higher education mentorship, as well as mental health and wellness for women in need.”
Hughes recalled a client of Nicholas House, a partner agency in Atlanta that helps families experiencing homelessness become self-sufficient.
“Her name was Asia Walton and she had a 6-year-old son at the time,” Hughes said. “Shortly after her brother passed away, Asia and her son found themselves living in her car for six months.
“When Asia had to go home, her home was inside of a car with her son asking, ‘When do we get to go home’ The good thing is that Asia finally found Nicholas House, who provided her shelter.”
Asia went on to become a manager at her company and found permanent housing. Counselor and case workers helped her cope with the trauma that came from what she’d experienced.
“We hear women and that's why we center their voices by providing financial assistance to nonprofits in our five-county service area that provide much-needed services that will help women become economically self-sufficient and provide much needed health and well-being. The Atlanta Women’s Foundation makes sure that women are heard.”
