Introduction

Together We Grow with Each New Day

Throughout 2021, we worked closely with our partners and supporters to provide much-needed assistance for East Lake families as we all continued to navigate the ongoing pandemic. In an eventful year of notable milestones and organizational change, the East Lake Foundation remained focused on offering hope and opportunity to our community.

Catherine Woodling
East Lake Foundation, Deputy Executive Director

A Model for Progress

Accelerating Change

For nearly three decades, we have utilized our integrated holistic approach to community revitalization to build a stronger, healthier and more equitable community in East Lake and ensure lasting, sustainable success.

As the Community Quarterback organization in East Lake, we work within a defined neighborhood to provide programs and resources to ensure equitable access to Cradle-to-College Education, Quality Mixed-Income Housing and Community Wellness programs that benefit all residents. The successful transformation in East Lake became the blueprint for establishing Purpose Built Communities, which continues to build strong, economically diverse communities that thrive across the country.

Mixed-Income Housing

Mixed-income housing helps attract more demographic and socio-economic diversity to a neighborhood. This is important because it can build the social capital necessary to improve economic mobility for lower-income residents and attract critical investments to the neighborhood such as new businesses, sources of fresh food, banks, and other amenities that are taken for granted in affluent neighborhoods.

Community Wellness

Healthy neighborhoods must include a community-specific mix of facilities, programs and services that represent the vision, needs and priorities of residents, as well as the history and character of the neighborhood.

Cradle-to-College Education Pipeline

Countless studies link early quality educational opportunities with long-term social development, academic proficiency, employment opportunities, and overall health outcomes. An effective educational pipeline that starts in early childhood and continues through college is imperative for successful community revitalization.

Community Quarterback Organization

A single-purpose, local non-profit lead organization is the most critical component of a successful revitalization initiative. This group engages personally with residents to be understanding and responsive to their needs and concerns, while also building effective partnerships with public and private stakeholders and investors that can help deliver the vision.

24755

Donated 24,755 grocery bags to families in partnership with the East Lake Family YMCA.

188

Assisted 188 Villages of East Lake families with rent and utility needs.

163

Provided 163 digital devices to families at The Villages of East Lake.

5000+

Supplied 5,000+ face coverings to keep people safe.

300+

Vaccinated 300+ East Lake residents, most of whom were at high risk for COVID-19.

250

Funded virtual summer school for 250 Drew Charter School students.

Resident and Community Support Program

Josie Braziel

Josie Braziel has participated with Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP) classes at The Villages of East Lake for more than six years, regularly seeking one-on-one coaching, participating in employment and financial literacy classes, and receiving COVID-19 related rent assistance. After years of working in part-time positions, with the help of the RCSP team, Ms. Brazil has landed her dream job—full-time with benefits—at a local school system where she has now worked for two years. Ms. Brazil says RCSP gave her “the tools to be successful” and she “will forever be grateful.”

Start:ME East Lake

Meleah Gray-Brown

Meleah Gray-Brown, a resident at The Villages of East Lake, is a proud 2020 graduate of Start:ME East Lake’s Business Accelerator Program. Meleah is the creator and founder of Sew Dope where she sells upcycled, recycled, and handmade apparel, handbags, and accessories. Meleah is a therapist by trade, and she incorporates her professional background by ensuring Sew Dope products educate and build confidence, acceptance, awareness, and appreciation for under-represented populations. Meleah was one of several recipients of a Start:ME grant to build inventory, vend, and market her business.

First Tee of Metro Atlanta/Drew Charter School

Marcus Leonard

Marcus Leonard is a junior at Charles R. Drew Charter School, a member of the boy’s golf team and an Ace level participant of First Tee of Metro Atlanta. Through the First Tee program, Marcus has gained confidence both on and off the golf course by engaging in new experiences and challenges. In 2021, he participated in the inaugural First Tee National Championship at Clemson University and was also selected, along with Tatum Thompson, as the TOUR Championship Hope Tee Shot honoree.

“My goal over the next 2 years is to graduate high school with honors and earn a scholarship to college playing golf. After graduating from college, I would like to have a career in business marketing or golf management where I can continue to give back to my community. The lessons and experiences from the First Tee such as having integrity and being responsible will help me make wise choices in this journey.”

Resident and Community Support Program

Roshan Nagendran

Roshan Nagendran, a resident at The Villages of East Lake, credits the Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP) with advancing his career and building his personality.

Mr. Nagendran participated in several workshops via Zoom, described as engaging and informative, that assisted him in securing a new job in a leading telecommunications company, which increased his financial security. “The RCSP programs conducted benefited me both in my personal and career advancement” and “I’m living proof of how to get the most out of them.”

DREW CHARTER SCHOOL

Celebrating Bright Futures

Charles R. Drew Charter School serves more than 1,900 students in Pre-K through 12th grade with an innovative Project-Based Learning approach centered around a STEAM curriculum. Drew Senior, Junior and Elementary Academies each rank in the Top 10 in all of Atlanta Public Schools (APS). Drew consistently ranks in the top 10% in APS and top 20% in the State of Georgia.

Highlights

  • 99% Class of 2021 Graduation Rate
  • 99% of students in the Class of 2021 who applied to college were accepted to at least one school
  • 100% of students who needed digital devices for virtual learning were provided devices
  • East Lake Foundation awarded 1 Rc Pruitt Scholarship, 7 Eva Davis Scholarships, and 6 Cousins Scholarships
EAST LAKE EARLY LEARNING

Putting Young Minds into a Pipeline for Success

Recognizing the importance of building a strong foundation for learning early in a child’s life, the East Lake Foundation and Drew Charter School work closely with our early learning partners (Cox Pre-K, East Lake Early Learning Academy and Sheltering Arms East Lake) to ensure a seamless transition as students matriculate through our cradle-to-college education pipeline.

Highlights

  • 298 students including 54 from The Villages of East Lake
  • 57 students attended East Lake Early Learning Academy or Sheltering Arms East Lake on scholarship
RISE After School Program

Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom

RISE After School – R.I.S.E. (Recreation. Innovation. STEAMulation. Education) is a comprehensive after school program for Pre-K through 7th grade students, operating from 4:00PM to 6:00PM daily to provide students opportunities to participate in enrichment activities with their peers. High-quality enrichment activities include creative movement, science creation, sports and nutrition, Chinese immersion, and storytelling, among many others.

Highlights

  • 334 participants including 48 from The Villages of East Lake
  • 27 enrichment opportunities
  • 63 participants come from economically-disadvantaged families
THE VILLAGES OF EASTLAKE

Preserving Affordability and Our Legacy

The East Lake Foundation and its partners continue to broaden the availability of housing in the East Lake neighborhood. As of 2021, the East Lake Initiative has partnered to build 882 total apartment homes in the East Lake neighborhood, nearly half of which are affordable at 30%, 50%-60%, and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The Villages of East Lake (VOEL) is undergoing an extensive renovation to its legacy properties that were constructed in the mid-late 90s. The legacy VOEL has 542 housing units (apartments, townhomes, duplexes), 50% of which are subsidized by Atlanta Housing to families making 30% of AMI or less and 50% of which are provided at a market rate. This investment in VOEL is one of the largest preservations of affordable housing in the city of Atlanta’s history. The upgrades include new exteriors, flooring, cabinets, a fitness center, and landscaping, among others.

The Resident and Community Support Program

Building Opportunity and Extending Resources

The Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP) offers resources and support to residents of The Villages of East Lake (VOEL) mixed-income housing community, with an emphasis on economic stability, career development and community engagement.

RCSP teams work with community partners to enhance employment readiness through financial education workshops, including entrepreneurship, homeowner education and career coaching. Residents also receive access to job resources, financial tools, small business startup assistance and more.

In 2021, the RCSP team continued its work to support families in need resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. RCSP facilitated rent and utility assistance and distribution of digital devices and personal hygiene products to keep families safely in their homes. RCSP also worked closely with the East Lake Family YMCA to provide thousands of boxes of groceries for families in need.

Highlights

  • 400 residents participated in RCSP programming
  • 188 families at VOEL assisted with rent and utilities
  • Provided 163 digital devices
  • Offered 51 economic stability, mental health, and homeownership programs
  • Hosted drive-thru back to school drive and holiday gift event
THE FIRST TEE OF METRO ATLANTA

Swinging into Growth and Development

First Tee of Metro Atlanta is a year-round golf instruction and mentoring program that uses the principles of golf, including discipline, hard work, sportsmanship and integrity, to enhance academic achievement and life skills for youth participants (ages 8-17) at several program locations across Metro Atlanta, including the Charlie Yates Golf Course in East Lake.

Golf instruction also provides access to college scholarships, business connections and employment. The First Tee of Metro Atlanta is one of many chapters nationally in the First Tee network.

First Tee of Metro Atlanta continued its gradual emergence from the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of youth programming. While continually adjusting and operating under safety protocols aligned with health agency and governmental guidelines, the chapter served more youth through its programming channels than were reached in 2020.

Highlights

  • 585 total participants served (55 participants served at Charlie Yates Golf Course)
  • First Tee of Metro Atlanta awarded $63K in scholastic aid to 16 participating seniors
  • 11 Summer Internships were provided in clubhouse, golf course grounds maintenance, and youth program operations
START:ME PROGRAM

Providing the Tools for Entrepreneurs

Start:ME East Lake is a 14-session program in partnership with The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute at Emory University that offers the assistance promising micro-entrepreneurs need to develop viable and sustainable microbusinesses.

Since its inception, Start:ME East Lake has graduated seven Cohorts with 110 ventures. In 2021, the program was offered virtually. Two of the participants were residents of The Villages of East Lake and three of the participants were Drew Charter School parents.

Highlights

  • 16 entrepreneurs completed the program
  • 69% of the participants were from low-to-moderate income households
  • 63% of the businesses are minority-owned
  • 88% of the businesses are woman-owned
East Lake Healthy Connections

Ensuring Availability of Vital Health Services

East Lake Healthy Connections (ELHC), a program in partnership with the East Lake Family YMCA, ensures all eligible East Lake families have access to health insurance, effectively utilize primary and preventive health care services, properly manage chronic diseases, and can establish contact with accessible medical homes. In 2021, the East Lake Family YMCA was the Foundation’s primary partner for grocery distributions in the East Lake neighborhood.

Highlights

  • 145 individuals were connected with health/dental homes
  • 417 COVID-19 vaccinations provided
  • 24,755 grocery bags provided to residents in need
  • 29 individuals participated in mental health programming
  • 21 individuals participated in monthly educational sessions on chronic disease management

Today’s Investment into Tomorrow’s Promise

Our Donors

We are indebted to the donor support that has contributed mightily to our success.

Visionary $25,000+

Innovator $10,000 to $24,999

Leader $5,000 to $9,999

Builder $2,500 to $4,999

Collaborator $1,000 to $2,499

Partner $250 to $999

Friend $1 to $249

In Honor

In Memory

Our Board of Directors

The guidance and commitment of our Board of Directors is crucial to our continued success.

Executive Committee

Board of Directors

*These unaudited numbers reflect the revenue and expenses of the East Lake Foundation and its charitable contributions to its partners in the East Lake Initiative.

REVENUE
$8,195,554*

EXPENSES
$5,837,920*

THE EAST LAKE FOUNDATION

Impacting Lives in Our Community

For nearly 30 years, the East Lake Foundation has proven that working with residents and public and private partners, while providing equitable access to comprehensive programs and services, is transformative for the community.

In 2021, the Foundation was able to continue to provide critical assistance to our most vulnerable residents who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through powerful and impactful partnerships.

While we have faced difficult experiences over the last two years, the Foundation and its partners will continue to rise to meet the demands of recent events and are Growing with Hope and Purpose Every Day.