Information: devereuxga.org
The Atlanta community came together on Sept. 10 at the Marietta Country Club for the annual Hope Event: The Art of Feelings to support Devereux Georgia, a nonprofit based in Kennesaw.
The organization serves youth who are suffering from emotional and behavioral challenges brought on by mental illness, sexual exploitation, abuse, neglect, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Hope Event welcomed over 250 guests who got the opportunity to see the organization’s work on display. Throughout the year, youth who are receiving treatment at Devereux have the opportunity to create art pieces with the assistance of art mentors from the community and local colleges. During the event, these pieces of art are showcased and attendees had an opportunity bid on the pieces.
The money raised from the fundraiser supports the services provided to at-risk youth up to the age of 22.
“The goal of Devereux is to support youth to develop the competency and confidence to achieve once-unthinkable goals such as literacy, graduation from high school, acceptance into post-secondary education or the acquisition of basic job readiness skills to become successful and productive members of our community,” said Executive Director Gwendolyn B. Skinner.
By using individual, group and family therapy coupled with a fully accredited school, Ackerman Academy, to create a therapeutic community, Devereux provides a space where children can experience success in the social and educational setting.
To make the program a success, Devereux also relies on volunteers. Throughout the year, individual and group volunteers in the Metro Atlanta area can assist with campus programs and projects including the Art Enrichment Program, festivals, donation drives, landscaping/greenhouse projects, holiday gift-giving, and so much more.
Stephanie Bednarski of Acworth has volunteered with Devereux for the past five years through her organization, Brookstone Women’s Club. In her experience, she understood that, “Devereux is important because their mission is to help deeply-troubled children who struggle with pain and difficulties brought on by situations beyond their control,” she said. “It provides them a place of hope.”
Devereux Georgia is part of the Devereux Foundation Inc., which was founded in 1912 by Helena Devereux. It is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare in the country with 15 centers in 13 states. Across its national network, Devereux partners with families, schools and communities in order to help some of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals achieve happiness and personal fulfillment.
In other news: The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded $107,650 on Sept. 10 to over 20 Atlanta area schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations to enhance and support youth literacy and education programs. These grant awards are part of more than $4 million in grants awarded to approximately 870 schools, nonprofits and organizations throughout the 43 states Dollar General serves.
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