Agape board members, Andrea Smith, Phil Handler, and Lacy Hernandez, volunteer to
in the Afterschool
SPRING BENEFIT | A NIGHT OF HOPE 2026
On behalf of everyone at Agape Youth & Family Center, thank you to all who attended, sponsored, and supported our Spring Benefit: A Night of Hope 2026. Your presence made the evening truly special, and because of you, we raised over $505,000 to support our students and families. We are especially grateful to Co-Chairs Andi O’Bryan and Kathryn Howell for their incredible leadership in making this event a success. Here are a few unforgettable highlights from the night.
We celebrated our Agape Scholarship Award recipient, Marisol, Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit School Class of 2026, who has a 3.49 GPA and plans to attend Kennesaw State University this fall to study nursing. This $2,500 scholarship was sponsored by Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.
[L to R: Rich and Beck Matherne representing PRUMC, Nell Benn (Agape CEO), Marisol (Agape Class of 2026), and Heather Paige (Agape Director of High School and Alumni Programs]
We heard the unforgettable story from the Williams family who, with the help of Agape’s staff and resources, moved from a shelter and into a home, receiving an Extreme Bedroom Makeover from the National Charity League Buckhead Chapter (NCL).
We were happy to honor our Corporate Partner of the Year, TowerPoint, who has been alongside us as volunteers since 2023! Watch their special message to Agape HERE.
[L to R: Chip Thompson, Agape board chair, Jesse Wellner, TowerPoint president, and Nell Benn, Agape CEO]
We were proud to celebrate this incredible milestone year with the graduating class of 2026, bringing us to a total of 103 high school graduates since 2009
APPRECIATION WEEK
Afterschool Professionals Week
Our Agape Afterschool Professionals don’t just supervise, they create spaces where students feel seen, supported, and inspired. From curriculum to connection, they build the foundation that helps every student to achieve their full potential.
Administrative Professionals Week
We celebrated our faithful admin who keep Agape functioning and organized every day! We are grateful for their dedication and how they show up each day to meet their roles with integrity, poise, and high professionalism! Thank you, team!
Volunteer Appreciation Week
At Agape, nothing we do happens without the incredible volunteers and mentors who show up day after day with open hands and full hearts.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Birth to 5 Event in
Partnership with the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office of International & Immigrant Affairs (MOIIA)
Agape’s MOIIA Birth to 5 Family Engagement event brought together 11 families and 13 children for an evening of connection and early learning. Families enjoyed a shared meal and hands-on activities, creating meaningful moments that support development and strengthen bonds.
Agape Family Outing to the Aurora Theatre
Nine families and 21 total attendees took a spring break outing where the Aurora Theatre created a joyful experience of wonder, imagination, and connection together. We were happy to provide our families with an experience in making special family memories.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPRING BREAK IN FLORIDA
Our middle school students took a fun trip with Julie’s Dream to Interlachen, Florida where they went boating, took beach excursions and learned about the natural habitat. These trips are often the students first times away for an overnight trip. They had an outstanding experience!
NAVIGATE HIGH SCHOOL: COLLEGE TOUR WITH THE CLASS OF 2027
Each year, HS Navigate Program students are introduced to a different region to explore a range of post-secondary opportunities across the country. This year’s visits to Concordia University Texas and The University of Texas at Austin gave students insight into two distinct college environments while highlighting the impact of HispanicServing Institutions and their commitment to access and success for underrepresented students. These intentional experiences help students envision themselves in supportive, resource-rich communities and make more confident decisions about their futures. The trip was rounded out with a fun bonding experience at Topgolf! For more information on the Navigate College & Career Program, please reach out to Heather Paige, hpage@agapeatlanta.org.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
AGAPE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS JUNIOR BOARD
The Agape Young Professionals Junior Board recently convened a high-energy session to drive momentum through bold, community-powered events that fuse fundraising, engagement, and lasting impact. If you would like to join our AYP Council, please reach out to William Green at wgreen@agapeatlanta.org
WHITEFIELD STUDENTS EARN TEN THOUSAND REASONS (TRR) AWARD
FOR AGAPE!
Recently, board member, Shannon Gerber’s daughter, Addy Gerber (8th grade), and her Whitefield classmates, Finleigh Haase (8th), and Olivia Haase (10th), presented why Agape was deserving of the Ten Thousand Reasons (TTR) grant award and were one of several chosen! They presented the $8,000 award to Agape CEO, Nell Benn, and the funds will be used to send our students and families to Camp Twin Lakes this fall. TTR is a partnership of Whitefield families who collectively give to fund grants requested by Whitefield students in support of charities they serve. Thank you for being young ambassadors for Agape!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPRING BENEFIT SPONSORS
ROAD to 100 GRADUATES ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
This month, Agape will reach a significant milestone with the current high school graduating class with a total of 103 graduates from our program since 2009! We invite you to be part of this impact, history, and achievement with your ongoing pledge of support to our Road to 100 Graduates Annual Fund at: www.donatetoagape.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, May 1 – High School Senior Decision Day Celebration
Friday, May 21 - Last Day of After-School Program
Wednesday, June 3 - First Day of Agape Summer Camps
Thursday, June 11 – Agape Family’s FIFA World Cup Watch Party
Thursday, July 25 - Back 2 School Bonanza
Monday, July 29 - Living Well Together Senior Citizen Expo
“Agape has shaped my life beyond academics, giving me lasting friendships, a supportive community, and opportunities I wouldn’t have had on my own. They’ve been with me since I was 10, and I can’t imagine life without them.”
– Marisol,
Class of 2026
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