Exciting changes at Rough Draft
EDITOR'S NOTE
COLLIN KELLEY
After more than two years as editor of the Reporter Newspapers, I am thrilled to announce that veteran journalist Cathy Cobbs is now taking on that role starting this month. Cathy brings a wealth of knowledge and news savvy to the Reporter territories so the newspapers will be in very good hands. I will still collaborate with Cathy on the Buckhead Reporter since it crosses boundaries with Intown.
As executive editor, I will be focused on bringing you the Intown news while starting my new role as the editor of Georgia Voice, which will premiere in January.
My colleague Dyana Bagby will be editing a brand-new LGBTQ-focused newsletter called Crosswalk which you can subscribe to by scanning the QR code below. This new newsletter will hit your inboxes every Wednesday. Dyana has a long history covering the LGBTQ community and is a former editor at both Georgia Voice and its forerunner, Southern Voice.
Speaking of newsletters, our awardwinning list of titles will continue to grow in 2025 as we begin weekly curated newsletters for Sandy Springs and Brookhaven. If you live in Tucker or Dunwoody, Cathy already has you covered with her newsletters offering a fun and
Editorial
Cathy Cobbs
Managing Editor, Reporter Newspapers
Collin Kelley
Executive Editor
Beth McKibben
Editor-in-Chief
Sr. Editor Food & Dining
Sammie Purcell
Associate Editor
Staff Writers
Dyana Bagby, Katie Burkholder, Bob Pepalis, Logan C. Ritchie
Contributors
Sally Bethea, Kathy Dean, Isadora Pennington, Clare S. Richie
informative look at the news and goingson.
Along with Cathy taking over editorial duties at the Reporter, my colleague Beth McKibben is expanding her duties beyond food editor to become our editor-inchief, managing operations, training, social media strategies, and more for our expanding editorial team.
It’s an exciting time to be part of the Rough Draft team as we continue to grow and solidify our place as one of metro Atlanta’s trusted news outlets. Our readership continues to thrive and
Managing Editor Cathy Cobbs
our presence online and social media, especially Instagram (that’s @roughdraftatl if you’re not already following us), has become the digital front door to coverage you won’t find anywhere else. We continue to strengthen our partnerships with partner outlets – including Capitol Beat, Georgia Recorder, GPB, Healthbeat, and the AJC – to make RoughDraftAtlanta. com your one-stop destination for a look at the day’s news.
The January issue you’re reading now features our annual 20 Under 20 honorees – students from across the metro who have given back to their communities in extraordinary ways. We had more than 100 nominations, a record in the 16 years we’ve been presenting 20 Under 20. You can learn more about their accomplishments starting on page 15.
Also in this issue, you’ll find our firstever Best New Restaurants list (Page 31). Beth spent a large part of 2024 dining at local eateries to choose these honorees, so you’ll definitely want to add these to your menu of new places to try in 2025. Meanwhile, our contributor Kathy Dean spoke with local realtors to get their predictions for Intown’s real estate market over the next 12 months (Page 33).
I think the January issue encapsulates so much of what makes metro Atlanta such a dynamic place to live, work, and play. Whether you’re a longtime reader or just picking up your first issue, thank you for taking a moment out of your day to read the Reporters.
Maziar
Figliolini
Levene
Twins Veer and Saachi Singh, students at The Westminster Schools, were selected as 2025 20 Under 20 honorees. Meet the rest of the students selected for this year’s cohort starting on page 15. (Photo
courtesy of The Singh Family)
Redistricting plan would send Spalding Drive Elementary students to Woodland, Heards Ferry
By Bob Pepalis
Fulton County Schools has proposed sending Spalding Drive Elementary students to either Woodland Elementary or Heards Ferry Elementary if the school is closed next year.
FCS released a draft redistricting plan ahead of its third and final public meeting on Monday night at Riverwood High School. The Riverwood cafeteria was filled with parents from every elementary school in the Sandy Springs zone, most wanting Spalding Drive to remain open. However, FCS Deputy Chief Operations Officer
Yngrid Huff said FCS policy restricted staff from discussing anything other than the redistricting proposal during the meeting.
That didn’t stop parents from speaking out.
“Closing our school will fundamentally disrupt our community and eliminate a high-performing school without justification,” the Save Spalding Drive Elementary School Parent Committee said in a statement prior to the meeting.
“The closure will force families into inconvenient school placements, overcrowd remaining schools, and destabilize a well-established educational
environment.”
Most of the 367 Spalding Drive students would attend Woodland Elementary under the redistricting plan. The small number of students who live west of Brandon Road NW would attend Heards Ferry Elementary, according to Tarika Peeks, FCS Executive Director of Operational Planning.
To make room for Spalding Drive students, some students now attending Woodland would attend Ison Springs Elementary. The new attendance zone line for Ison Springs would start north of the existing Spalding Drive attendance zone and north of Dalrymple Road but west of SR 400.
Peeks said the school district is considering closing Spalding Drive after its enrollment fell below 450 students and
due to the condition of the aging building.
For redistricting, FCS policy sets primary criteria as geographic proximity, school capacity, and instructional needs, Peeks said. Secondary criteria includes traffic patterns, neighborhood rezoning history, and feeder alignments.
Huff answered several questions about open enrollment before breakout sessions began.
call
Parents of students in all Fulton County Schools elementary schools in Sandy Springs attended Monday night’s closure/redistricting meeting at Riverwood High School. (Photo by Bob Pepalis)
Open enrollment applications close on Jan. 15, one day after the Fulton School Board will see a draft proposal on closing Spalding Drive. Huff said FCS plans to run the lottery and notify students and their parents on Jan. 21 if they are selected for open enrollment to attend a school of their choice.
“We can’t really debate change-ofschool assignment,” Huff said. “That’s not the purpose for tonight. We’re here to talk about the redistricting.”
FCS used breakout sessions with small groups of parents to dive deep into what they liked and didn’t like about the redistricting proposal. Parents brought up concerns such as if they live “on the line” separating attendance zones would their children have to attend a new school.
They also wanted to know if the clubs and teams their children belonged to at
Spalding Drive would be dismantled.
FCS staff also didn’t have an answer for where Pre-K programs at Spalding Drive would be relocated, though parents were told it might be outside of Sandy Springs.
Parents also wanted to keep their children in feeder schools that would send them to their high school of choice. They didn’t like having their children redistricted to a school that would involve a long bus ride when another school was within walking distance.
Staff will present the draft proposal to the FCS school board on Jan. 14. If the school board consents to move ahead with the closure/redistricting process, they will make a final decision on Feb. 20.
In between those two meetings two public hearings would be held on the closure/redistricting plan.
Planning Commission recommends denial of Mount Vernon School’s lighting request
By Bob Pepalis
The Sandy Springs Planning Commission voted 6-0 on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to recommend that the city council deny Mount Vernon School’s request to light its athletic field.
Hundreds of residents from neighborhoods surrounding the school property at 510 Mount Vernon Highway filled the Studio Theatre. An overflow crowd watched the meeting on a screen in the theater’s lobby. The residents expressed their approval verbally after hearing the unanimous recommendation from the commissioners.
Planning staff had recommended approval, with conditions that limited times and days for the lighting, limited sound levels, used lights intended to minimize light spillage and required vegetation to screen the field from the neighboring homes.
Kristi Lindstrom, head of school for the Mount Vernon School, presented the case for lights as creating more opportunities for students to engage in healthy, team-oriented activities instead of spending time staring at screens. She said taking students off the road to travel to other schools for athletic practice would reduce congestion.
The additional time available for practice would enable the school to expand programs like girls’ lacrosse, Lindstrom said.
Kimberly Oliver, president of the Mount Vernon Woods subdivision, was the first person to speak in opposition to the request for lights. She presented a history of the agreements that started in 2003 between the neighborhoods, the school, and first Fulton County, and later Sandy Springs when it was incorporated.
Steve Leeds, president of the Aria West Homeowners Association, said the
neighborhoods made extensive efforts to negotiate with Mount Vernon School.
“Nothing they proposed effectively mitigates the adverse impact the lights and evening noise will have on our communities. It is not consistent with the residential character of the community and the right of residents to have peaceful enjoyment of their properties,” Leeds said.
After the hearing, Planning Commissioner Dave Nickles made the motion to recommend the denial of the application that would amend the school’s conditional use permit and allow lighting on the school’s recreational fields.
Nickles said the school had previously accepted a condition that lights could not be installed but came with the request seven years later. Nickles said he felt the application goes back on everything the school promised and turns its back on the wishes of the surrounding neighbors.
When the city’s first mayor, Eva Galambos, appointed Nickles to the planning commission, she told him that the commission’s most important job was to protect the neighbors and neighborhoods, he recalled.
“And the best way to do that is to hold these folks to the conditions they agreed to and not allow lights,” Nickles said.
After the denial recommendation, Oliver told Rough Draft Atlanta that she was beyond grateful and thankful for the result.
“I’m so excited for our neighborhoods, not just my neighborhood, but the other neighborhoods. This is one step toward peaceful nights and being able to enjoy our backyards again,” Oliver said.
The school’s request will go before the Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m.
Brookhaven approves $1.2 million contract for final phase of Peachtree Creek Greenway
By Logan Ritchie
The Brookhaven City Council has approved a $1.2 million contract with Heath and Linebeck to design the final phase of the Peachtree Creek Greenway. In April, the council approved a motion to decline federal funds for phase III of the Peachtree Creek Greenway, opting instead to use local funding. At the time, Mayor John Park said the city “will do it faster and we’re going to save taxpayer dollars.”
Well underway, phase II will stretch from North Druid Hills Road to the
Atlanta city limit and is expected to cost $15-$20 million. It is primarily funded by federal dollars through the Atlanta Regional Commission. Phase I, from Briarcliff Road to North Druid Hills Road, was completed in December 2019.
At the Dec. 3 meeting, the last of the year, city council members approved a contract with DC Pool Service for $335,000 for emergency repairs and lighting at Murphey Candler pool.
“I’m hopeful that this is the last of the major repairs that we have to do on an emergency basis, and then we’ll move into preventative maintenance,” said Parks and
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Jan. 15
Recreation Director Michael King. Brookhaven Public Works proposed broadening the city’s list of on-demand contractors to support accurate budgeting and cost predictability. The city approved annual contracts with A&S Paving, The Corbett Group, R&B Developer, TriScapes, and Response Environmental Site Services (RESS).
Lastly, the council adopted an ordinance to amend the city code preventing overnight parking on city property, specifically at Brookhaven Park.
“There’s no down time, no slow season in city government,” said City Manager
Christian Sigman. At the conclusion of the meeting, the mayor reflected on his first year in office. He said it is “heartening” to see priorities like bringing public works in-house and reducing the speed limits come to fruition.
“It’s important to remember that we, as a council, don’t handle day-to-day operations. We’re the board of directors, and we set direction and we set policy,” he said. “Thank you to everyone in this room for making us look good, for adapting, keeping an eye on the ball, getting things done.”
By Logan C. Ritchie
Brookhaven is revising its street light policy to make fees more equitable across the city. A flat fee will be established in 2025, anticipated to cost $35 per parcel.
The current policy “disproportionately places the financial responsibility for equipment and ongoing operation of each street light district on a small number of local residents,” according to a memo.
Deputy City Manager Steve Chapman proposed that the city combine more than 100 street light districts into one zone, billing residents equally. The city council approved the ordinance in November.
streetlights installation by contacting the Brookhaven Public Works Department. Because of the outdated structure of billing by district, 40% of Brookhaven
residents were never charged for street lights. The city estimates that after the change, 85% of people will see a decrease in the fee.
Jan. 25
“As part of the budget, we contemplated and proposed creating a uniform street light district across the city, as opposed to the 100-plus individual street light districts that we currently have, with a range of costs between them,” said Chapman.
All residents and visitors benefit from the city’s street lights, said Brookhaven Communications Director Burke Brennan.
Streetlight districts were inherited from DeKalb County when Brookhaven became a city in 2012. The districts define an area by which the municipality charges residents for public lighting.
Street lights on private streets are handled by Georgia Power, not the city. Residents can initiate a request for
In 2023, streetlight service and maintenance fees were billed through the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s office, and ranged between $0.40 and $3.96 per streetlight district, per foot, per year. In 2024, Brookhaven City Council approved an increase in the range of fees for the streetlight districts to $0.60 to $5.94 per foot, per year.
Georgia Power is upgrading 2,000 area lights, 130 pendant lights, 505 post top lights, and 35 flood lights throughout Brookhaven with LED lights, which last 10-15 years. LED lights are more reliable, create less waste, consume low energy and improve roadway visibility, according to the city.
Brookhaven is revising its street light policy to make fees more equitable across the city. (File photo)
Laura K. Schilling, J.D., CPA, CFP®
Eshé Collins wins Atlanta City Council seat in runoff
By Dyana Bagby
Eshé Collins is the winner of the Dec. 3 runoff to fill a citywide seat on the Atlanta City Council that’s been vacant for almost a year.
Unofficial results from DeKalb and Fulton counties show Collins easily defeated Nicole “Nikki” Evans Jones in the runoff for the Post 3 At-Large seat.
Collins, a member of the Atlanta Board of Education, garnered about 8,800 votes, or 60%, with Evans receiving nearly 5,900 votes for 40%.
In the Nov. 5 special election, with five candidates in the race, Evans received 40% of the vote and Collins got 25%, forcing the runoff.
The Post 3 At-Large seat has been open since March when Keisha Sean Waites stepped down to run an unsuccessful campaign for Fulton County clerk.
Collins will fill the rest of Waites’ term that expires Dec. 31, 2025. All Atlanta City Council seats are up for election on Nov. 4, 2025. Collins will have to run again next year if she wants to remain on the council.
She will also have to step down from the Atlanta Public Schools board to take the seat on the city council.
Collins has served three terms as the District 6 representative on the Atlanta
school board, winning her first term in 2013. She was re-elected in 2017 and 2021. Her term expires the end of next year.
The Atlanta Board of Education will hold an election on Nov. 4, 2025, for Districts 2, 4, 6, and Seat 8 At-Large.
Collins has said the Atlanta Board of Education would have to appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term because she is leaving the seat with less than a year before the election.
She explained that in 2022, when she chaired the school board, Jason Esteves resigned from the school board after being elected to the Georgia state Senate. The
board appointed Jessica Johnson to fill out the year remaining in his term.
The Atlanta Board of Education’s charter says the school board must appoint someone to fill Collins’ seat because her leaving the post is occurring less than a year before the Nov. 4, 2025, election.
“If the [board] vacancy occurs one year or less prior to the date of the general election at which a successor will be elected to a new full term of office, the remaining members of the Board shall, by majority vote, select a
qualified person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term,” the charter says.
DEKALB COUNTY RUNOFFS
In the runoff election for DeKalb County District 3, Nicole Massiah won with 5,491 votes, or nearly 76%. Andrew W. Bell received 1,736 votes, for 24% of the total. LeDona Bolton won the District 7 runoff with 9,628 votes, or 70.3%, while Jacqueline Adams trailed 4,065 votes, or nearly 30%.
School board to appoint new member to fill Collins’ term
By Dyana Bagby
The Atlanta Board of Education will appoint a new member to serve the remainder of Eshé Collins’ four-year term after she was elected to the Atlanta City Council.
Orientations and applications for interested candidates were held in December, and a community meeting with finalists is set for Jan. 6. According to a prepared statement
from the board, the new member is expected to be appointed on Jan. 7. Collins resigned her District 6 seat on the Atlanta Public Schools board after winning the City Council Post 3 At-Large seat in the Dec. 3 runoff. Her resignation from the school board occurred within one year of the next general election, requiring the school board to appoint an interim member to fill the post.
The timeline for the appointment process:
Dec. 16 and 17 — Mandatory in-person orientation was held for candidates.
Dec. 20 – Application deadline Dec. 20 – Dec. 27: Board members reviewed applications individually.
Dec. 27: Board members will meet to identify finalists.
Dec. 30 or Jan. 3: Finalists participated in the first round of interviews.
Jan. 6: Finalists will meet with the public during a community meeting at a location and time to be determined. The board will conduct final interviews of the finalists to select candidates to fill the vacancy.
Jan. 7: The school board will hold a special called meeting to vote on a candidate to fill the District 6 seat. The new member will be sworn in and participate in the board’s regular meeting the same day.
DUNWOODY
Council discusses zoning change for Mt Vernon Shopping Center
By Cathy Cobbs
The Dunwoody City Council on Dec. 9 held a public hearing on a polarizing rezoning request for a mostly empty shopping center that would expand the variety of uses that its current zoning allows.
Branch representatives say they want to change the Mount Vernon Shopping Center’s zoning designation from Neighborhood Shopping to C-1 to allow for a greater diversity of uses beyond a grocery store, which has seen a revolving door of failed retail ventures in the last 10 years.
Most of the speakers at the meeting were in support of the zoning change, with one person expressing often-repeated concerns about the possible uses that the C-1 designation may allow.
Joe Martinez, who lives about five
the square footage for schools and special event facilities to 5,000.
“I appreciate the back and forth between the developer and the community to get a [tenant] list that people are comfortable with,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said.
Discussions at the November and December meetings were a sharp contrast to a contentious neighborhood meeting in late July during which a majority of attendees opposed most of the ideas proposed by its owners.
Branch officials at the July meeting said that the company has had interest from “eater-tainment” or lifestyle-focused uses like food halls, pickleball courts or entertainment arcades like PuttShack or Main Event, which would have a sporting element to them as well as food and alcohol options.
houses down from the center on North Peachtree Road, said he commended the “purposeful rezoning” of the space, but wanted to make sure that existing city ordinances regarding lighting and signage be upheld.
Other speakers living near the center say they support the change in order to bring more activity and entertainment for young families relocating to the city. Others expressed concerns that the approximately 320 parking spaces may not be adequate for the demand a new establishment may require.
In November, Dunwoody’s Planning Commission recommended the C-1 zoning change, with several conditions, including the types of uses that would be allowed, operating hours, and minor changes to the parking lot.
However, Dunwoody Senior Planner Madayln Smith said at the Dec. 9 meeting that staff did not stipulate one of the conditions that the planning commission had recommended – a change in weekend hours that would dictate that the end user close at 11 p.m. on Sunday.
At the Nov. 20 meeting, Smith said Branch has also agreed to restrict several of the allowed C-1 uses, including capping
Branch officials said the possibility of putting in yet another grocery store has been shut down by all of the companies they have approached.
The February closing of Lidl is the fourth time that the anchor tenant in the Mount Vernon Shopping Center has been shuttered in the last 10 years. It was once a Harris Teeter, then an Ace Hardware, followed by a Sprouts Grocery before its three-year stint as a Lidl.
Sprouts was open from 2014-2018 before disappointing sales and the looming end of the five-year lease prompted its closure. Lidl opened in August 2020 to great fanfare, but regular shoppers said they noticed that the store’s business had never been robust nor well-staffed.
Council
updates, discussions about ordinances
The council also heard a recap of 2024 events and 2025 budget presentation from Discover Dunwoody Executive director Ray Ezell.
He reported that Perimeter hotel room demand, hotel stays and revenues are either in line or slightly above 2023 numbers. The proposed $2.4 million 2025 budget reflects a 2.7% increase, to be spent mostly on marketing and personnel costs. Ezell said newly opened facilities, like the Element Hotel, in the last year may challenge the overall occupancy rate for 2025, but said his team is working to lure occupants away from other geographic areas, rather than poaching from existing area hotels.
The council unanimouly passed a text amendment regulating the sale of
dogs, cats and rabbits from unauthorized facilities. The council had asked staff to research several items of concern, which Dunwoody Planning and Zoning Director Paul Leonhardt discussed at the December meeting.
Leonhardt said staff has recommended to not ban pet stores from selling pets, not expanding the list beyond cats, dogs and rabbits and provide an exemption for prearranged transfer sales.
In other action, the council:
■ Heard Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton’s monthly report, which detailed recently held community events, department
achievements, and upcoming projects;
■ Approved seven facility agreements for entities that operate out of Brook Run’s Dunwoody Senior Baseball fields for 2025;
■ Passed by a 5-2 margin a contract amendment not to exceed $138,198 with Practical Design Partners, LLC for the final design of Peeler Road shared use path. Public Works Director Michael Smith said staff and Dunwoody Council Member Tom Lambert have been meeting with impacted neighbors “to ease concerns about privacy and stormwater runoff.” Deutsch and John Heneghan were the dissenting votes.
Dunwoody Senior Planner Madalyn Smith discusses a proposal regarding a change to the zoning of a Dunwoody shopping center. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)
TUCKER Council talks street light program
A rendering shows what the
JANUARY HAPPENINGS
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy., Ste. 350B, Tucker, GA 30084
• JANUARY 1
City Buildings Closed in Observance of New Years Day
• JANUARY 6, 6:30 P.M. Downtown Development Authority
• JANUARY 7, 7 P.M. Zoning Board of Appeals
• JANUARY 13, 7 P.M. City Council Meeting
• JANUARY 16, 6 P.M. Dam Project PIOH
• JANUARY 20
City Buildings Closed in Observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• JANUARY 20
Day of Service at Johns Homestead Park
• JANUARY 20
Teen Day of Service and Fun Tucker Rec. Center 4898 Lavista Road
• JANUARY 27, 7 P.M. City Council Meeting
• JANUARY 10, 7 P.M.
- BFG Band -
• JANUARY 24, 7 P.M.
- Stephen Lee@TUCKER REC CENTER
By Cathy Cobbs
The Tucker City Council at its Dec. 9 meeting heard a presentation regarding progress on the Tucker Summit Commercial Improvement District’s street lighting program.
Tucker-Summit CID’s Larry Kaiser said the organization has received agreements regarding the lighting program from 54% of the businesses in the affected area.
“We want to see light everywhere,” Kaiser said at the Dec. 9 meeting. “We know that bad actors like the dark for criminal activities.”
The finished project would involve illuminating more than 360 streets involving the installation of more than 270 light poles, as well as upgraded lighting at existing poles.
“Well-lit industrial streets discourage criminal activity, while enhancing overall public safety, which results in a CID industrial district safer for everyone,” a report submitted by the group said.
The council was to receive updated information from the CID this week, and will continue conversations about next steps.
The council also heard about a pilot program to implement Wi-Fi and security enhancements in preparation of the opening of the city’s newest park, the Tucker Town Green.
Micah Siebel, assistant to the city manager, said six new light heads
have been installed in selected areas from Lavista Road and Lynburn Drive southward, adjacent to the city annex property.
“This targeted section of the trail will provide users with access to the Wi-Fi amenity,” Siebel said. “The objective of this project is to assess the feasibility of public Wi-Fi and security camera installations in high-traffic pedestrian areas within the city. If the pilot proves successful, it could serve as a model for broader service expansion.”
In other action, the council:
■ Heard that construction contracts have been awarded for the Johns Homestead and the Lake Erin Dam rehabilitation projects that will start this winter. Staff will share details at an upcoming public meeting on Jan. 16 at city hall starting at 6 p.m.;
■ Was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Tucker Municipal Court staff members;
■ Held a public hearing on an ordinance to require permits for film production within city limits;
■ Recognized DeKalb County Commissioners Steve Bradshaw and Rob Patrick for their financial contributions towards building restrooms at Peters Park;
■ Approved the reappointment of Chief Judge Steve Nicholas to the city’s municipal court for 2025.
The December meeting was the last one of 2024.
Tucker Town Green project, which is under construction, will look like after completion. A pilot program to install WiFi in the area has been initiated. (City of Tucker)
Pattie Baker’s epic journey: Five months, 10,000 miles, and a duck
By Cathy Cobbs
Pattie Baker is a familiar sight as she tools around Dunwoody with a rainbowcolored rubber duck on her handlebar and a pool noodle on the back of her rig to ensure a safe distance for oncoming and passing vehicles.
Baker not only has used her bicycle as her primary mode of transportation in Dunwoody, but around the world.
Her latest book, “Round America with a Duck,” chronicles her five-month, 10,000 mile trip across the United States on her foldable bike. She traveled between cities using public transit and used her bike while exploring the area around each stop.
Baker’s book begins when she left on a foggy morning March 20, 2023 from an Atlanta bus terminal with her bike, 60-liter backpack, and a sack of clementine oranges and ended 165 days later, fittingly, on a midnight train to Georgia.
One of her goals was to spend as little money as possible on the trip, and she managed to limit her average daily expenses to $20 a day using the WWOOFing work/ live method.
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), according to its website, “links visitors with organic farmers, promotes an educational and cultural exchange and builds a global community conscious of ecological farming practices.”
Travelers exchange 20 to 30 hours of work at the farms for food, lodging and education. During her trip, Baker’s stops
included a llama and lavender farm in California, a Hare Krishna temple in Utah, and an alpaca farm in Kansas.
“There was something wonderful at each place I went,” she said. “One of my goals
was to find hope in a world where there was very little hope, and I did find it in the most unexpected places.”
Traveling using public transit also offered many learning opportunities,
as Baker experienced extreme weather catastrophes, numerous transit delays, and “dangerous and uncomfortable personal situations.”
“It was an internal and external journey for me,” she said. “The most important thing I learned was to trust the journey.”
Baker’s biking accessories includes a rubber duck, a bell, and a pool noodle.
Baker said the lessons she learned on her travels has spurred her to continue it. She just finished a six-week WWOOF trip to Ireland, and is now writing about that adventure.
“There’s a lot of ways to live a life,” Baker said. “Turning 60 and becoming an empty nester, I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines for the rest of my life.”
Even before she took on her biking challenge, Baker was an advocate in the Dunwoody community, serving on the city’s Sustainability Commission during Dunwoody’s initial years of cityhood.
Baker also promoted urban harvesting and served as a founder of the Dunwoody Community Garden and the food pantry garden at Malachi’s Storehouse.
She was honored as the city’s sustainability hero in 2021.
Baker’s book is available for sale online at Amazon and several independent book dealers. Her website also includes information on her other books, “Food for My Daughters,” Traveling at the Speed of Bike, and “Bucket List.”
‘Life Chronicles’: A virtual journey through Earth’s history
By Cathy Cobbs
In just 45 minutes, visitors to Eclipso Atlanta’s latest immersive exhibition, “Life Chronicles,” will experience a dazzling virtual journey through more than 3.5 billion years.
On the way, participants will experience a micro- and macro-view of the world – from the depths of oceans to the canopy of tropical forests and through the landscapes of great geological periods.
Transport guides, a woman named Charlie and a flying robot named Darwin (who looks a bit like a one of the “Despicable Me” minions, only with wings), encourage visitors to get physical by “sidling” across narrow precipices and rock outcrops, crouching down to “pet” prehistoric horses, “sinking” to the ocean floor to observe huge sharks and colorful fish, and “elevating” to the tops of jungle treetops.
Yes, it’s virtual reality, but standing in the middle of a herd of migrating
elephants or battling dinosaurs, it’s easy to suspend belief and marvel at the sheer size and magnificence of these creatures.
The information Charlie imparts during the journey can be a little technical for non-science-y people, but after each “transport” to a new period in the Earth’s existence, there is a pop-up
globe that identifies the time frame, what part of the world is being explored, and the types of life forms visitors will see.
Unlike other virtual reality experiences where visitors are “swept” through paintings or plunged into sudden darkness, “Life Chronicles”
seems more personal, relying more on the panoramic views and life-forms to tell the story.
“Life Chronicles” is making its American debut after its launch at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in France last year, as well as stints at Eclipso centers in Lyon, Paris, Bordeaux and London.
According to Excurio, the VR company that produced the experience, the expedition is the result of a close collaboration between Excurio and the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle “involving the museum’s paleontologists, paleobotanists, evolution specialists and bio acousticians from script writing to 3D production, as well as the creation of the graphics and sounds.”
“Life Chronicles” is located at 550 Somerset Terrace near the Beltline. Operating hours are Tuesday-Friday from noon to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $27 and can be purchased online.
Baker celebrating after reaching the Pacific Ocean after five months. (Photo supplied by Pattie Baker)
“Life Chronicles” features lush landscapes and realistic depictions of prehistoric life. (Photo supplied by Eclipso)
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
Veer & Saachi Singh, 16
The Westminster Schools
The twins moved to Atlanta from New York City during the pandemic and immediately began looking for a way to help their new community. Disturbed by the number of homeless people and food insecurity they witnessed in the city, the brother and sister launched The Atl Seva Project. In Punjabi, the word seva means “selfless service,” and the nonprofit immediately launched a series of sandwich drives to help local organizations address food insecurity. The organization has also branched into teaching students financial literacy and career mentorship. “The most gratifying part of giving back has been the engagement with the community,” the duo said. “Every single interaction has been uplifting and continually reinforces our desire to do our part in making a positive difference in our community.” PhotobyAkiIkejiri
Rough Draft presents our 16th annual 20 Under 20 honorees for 2025. As in past years, we are in awe of these students’ abilities to juggle their education while giving back to the community in such meaningful ways. We were also in awe of the record number of nominations this year – more than 100 from across the metro.
From creating nonprofits and fundraising to flying airplanes into disaster zones and creating online platforms to bring people together, this year’s honorees have gone above and beyond to bring positivity and leadership to the community. While narrowing down this year’s honorees and runners-up was the toughest ever, we think these students will inspire and motivate you to give back to your communities.
– Collin Kelley
As a junior, Karis co-founded the Midtown High chapter of Impact Teen Drivers, which seeks to end distracted driving by encouraging ways for drivers and passengers to stay focused on the road. She actively trained and recruited students to volunteer to create posters and flyers and make health class presentations about ways kids could positively impact driving habits. As a founding member of the organization, Margaret leads the group as outreach coordinator and contest organizer to help expand the club’s activities to other schools in the area in hopes of growing chapters of the clubs among a broader group of students. “Giving back to my community means using my abilities to uplift the community any way that I can,” Karis said. Margaret echoed those sentiments, stating, “Interacting with others gives me a sense of connectedness and belonging to the community, which makes me happier and helps me grow as an individual.”
Karis Stewart, 16, and Margaret Tsianti, 17 Midtown High School
Both Maisie and Kaixuan have worked tirelessly for the AIS’s Against Human Trafficking organization to raise awareness, mobilize other students, and coordinate events. Maisie took part in CNN’s My Freedom Day to share anti-trafficking strategies with students in Zimbabwe, Brazil, and Italy. Kaixuan organized and led a film festival, which educated students on the realities of human trafficking, her leadership was essential in managing outreach to the Atlanta film community, coordinating professionals as judges, and handling communications and promotions to engage the school and local community. “Volunteering shows me that young people can make a significant impact,” Maisie said. “The connections I made through AIS Against Human Trafficking have helped me grow as a person.” Kaixuan said creating meaningful change was her driving force. “I hope to combat human trafficking by raising awareness about this issue that has plagued Atlanta and the lives of many around the world,” Kaixuan said.
Maisie Bruner, 18, and Kaixuan Guo, 17 Atlanta International School
“An education of doing and creating.”
— Eva Edwards Lovett
At Lovett, students from kindergarten through 12th grade find joy and purpose by immersing themselves in intellectually rigorous, hands-on learning environments. By design, students are offered experiences that deepen their cognitive, emotional, and social skills while inspiring an enduring enthusiasm for learning
Start your journey on the Riverbank today at lovett org/admission
Join us between now and February 12 for a tour or shadow visit. Applications for the 2025-26 school year are due February 1
Ashley’s enthusiasm for biomedical engineering and lacrosse inspired her to establish a non profit dedicated to designing and developing “Hulk Hands,” protective gear for lacrosse goalies. These innovative shields are specifically crafted to protect goalies' gloves and prevent injuries. By 3D-printing these shields, Ashley provides an extra layer of safety. She has successfully distributed dozens of Hulk Hands to high schools across Georgia and is now expanding her outreach beyond the state and at the college level via hulkhandslax.com. “Giving back to the community has been an incredibly inspiring journey, as it has allowed me to use my passions and skills to make a real difference in people’s lives,” Ashley said. “Whether through school, lacrosse, or volunteering, the experience of giving back has contributed to my personal growth and helped me understand the true power of philanthropy in making a meaningful impact."
Ashley
Chamblee High School
Abby Newton is a co-founder with Mary Caroline, Celia Gilliland and Riley Newton of the Atlanta Diabetes Charity, an organization dedicated to providing essential medical supplies to uninsured diabetics who face an average annual cost of $3,000 for their care. Recognizing this critical need, Abby and her team created a website to collect donations of unused supplies, which they deliver to clinics. Since its inception when the group was in 9th grade, the charity has donated approximately $500,000 worth of supplies. Abby is focused on expanding the charity’s reach, increasing donations, building partnerships with additional clinics, and transitioning the organization into a nonprofit. "I feel so grateful for this opportunity to alleviate the burden of pricey diabetic supplies for so many in Atlanta,” she said. “I hope that through ADC’s presence on social media, and an easily accessible website, others can start similar charities in other communities to assist diabetics."
In his sophomore year, Alex founded HealthPride (healthpride.org), a queerfocused nonprofit aimed at distributing free online and physical educational materials to high schools across the South that focus on mental health resources/hotlines and health education. Alex has worked with county directors and principals from all around Georgia and surrounding states to establish connections with 50+ schools, curate over 5,000 educational materials for distribution, and create sponsorships and collaborations with various organizations. In the summer prior to his junior year, Alex co-founded Metro Atlanta Students For Alternative Medicine (MASFAM.org), a nonprofit initiative that advocates for the rescheduling of cannabis and psychedelics. "Giving back to the community has opened my eyes on how to create opportunities for individuals facing adversity and produce meaningful change for the broader public,” Alex said. Alex Royal, 16 Riverwood
International Charter School
Where
Nelson, 17
Abby Newton, 17 The Lovett School
18 MONTHS – 8TH GRADE
After her diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes in 2014, Amanda and her family established Marist’s One Walk for T1D, filling a void when the Atlanta Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) One Walk was canceled due to COVID. Amanda has led the walk for five years, growing it to one of the largest in the country. She actively participates in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, pressing for increased T1D research funding, works as a counselor at Camp Kudzu for diabetic kids, and interned with JDRF in 2022. She has also been a keynote speaker for the HOPE Gala, inspiring an audience of over 600. "From the moment I was diagnosed exactly ten years ago, I made it my mission to embrace this challenge, build a community of people like me, and encourage recently diagnosed kids to be brave,” Amanda said. “I am grateful for my friends, family, church, and school for supporting me throughout all the highs and lows of diabetes."
Shravya co-led a fundraising team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LSS) Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, raising over $50,000 and earning the Hero Award. She now serves on the LLS Student Leadership Committee, mentoring her legacy team, guiding new student leaders and helping them continue Woodward’s legacy of service. She is entering her second year of fundraising with LLS. In addition to her work with LLS, Shravya serves on the Service Leadership Board at Woodward Academy and volunteers at the Jesse Draper Boys and Girls Club. She also cofounded a project that creates gift bags and writes letters for children with cancer. “Giving back to the community brings me immense joy and pleasure, it will always be apart of me,” Shravya said.
ASpringmont’s authentic Montessori experience balances academic learning with social/emotional well-being. Highly experienced and caring teachers guide individualized learning that inspires students to become creative, independent and globally-minded. EXTRAORDINARY BY DESIGN.
s a volunteer leader with Pebble Tossers, a youth development nonprofit, Will has served more than 480, preparing over 1,700 sandwiches for The Sandwich Project, and making over 1,000 meal and hygiene kits for the families of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He has also donated more than 200 feminine hygiene packs for women and girls who are experiencing homelessness in metro Atlanta. His service mindset has reached beyond Georgia, having spent the last two summers helping some of the poorest, most remote villages in Northern Thailand and the Los Santos rainforest. As the current President of the Young Men’s Service League, Will has delivered over 5,000 meals for Open Hand Atlanta and served as a buddy for the Christopher League helping children with disabilities engage in the sport of baseball.
"Giving back to the community has enabled me to develop valuable leadership skills and build a stronger connection with those in need,” Will said. “I remain enthusiastic about discovering new and impactful opportunities to make a noticeable difference in the world around me.”
Amanda Houston, 17 Marist School
Shravya Nandigam, 16 Woodward Academy
Will Vinci, 17 Holy Innocents' Episcopal School
For the first time ever, Rough Draft is recognizing a team of students who are working together to give back to their community. The CIPS Family Connection is made up of a coalition of high school seniors from across metro Atlanta. What began as afterschool tutoring sessions in chess and soccer for elementary-aged students quickly grew into a mission with a broader reach. The team has since helped a homeless family find shelter, supported a teen aging out of foster care with job training, and contributed to individuals and families in crisis with food and clothing drives. The teens have also partnered with nonprofit Remerge/Giving Grace to accept and distribute donations. The team includes: H. Alex Darley, 17, Atlanta International School; Olivia Massar, 17, North Atlanta High School; Owen Radics, 18, Marist School; Viviana Cruz-Garcia, 17, Norcross High School; Naomi Hackett, 18, Atlanta In ternational School; Zander Palenik, 17, Atlanta International School; and Owen Nolte, 18, Marist School.
CIPS Family Connections Team
For the past three years, Miguel has been a volunteer with the John R. Lewis Legacy Institute, supporting initiatives like Camp Promise for young men, voter registration drives, and fundraisers for pancreatic cancer research. As captain of the lacrosse team, a member of the award-winning mock trial team, and a National Beta Club scholar, Miguel balances his school involvement with a passion for community impact He plans to host a lacrosse clinic for inner-city middle school students. Recently, he broadened his global perspective through a German Exchange Program focused on Human Rights and social justice. “Giving back means embodying the principles of leaders like John Lewis—acting with courage, responsibility, and a commitment to creating a community—while fulfilling the moral duty to uplift others with dignity and respect, creating meaningful connections and lasting impact,” Miguel said.
Miguel Abrams, 15
Maynard H. Jackson High School
Mackenzie wrote and published a 15-page research paper in the Curieux Academic Journal titled “Why We Need a Shift in the Social and Medical Model of Our Approach to Autism.” A staunch proponent for the radical acceptance of autistic individuals, she recently presented her paper at the Symposium of Rising Scholars and will meet with executive leadership team members in January at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center. She has also served dinners in shelters and participated in both Agape Way (feeding breakfast on the streets of Atlanta) and C.H.O.I.C.E.S. (The Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully). During the pandemic, she and her brother created Sibling Sous Chefs, LLC a nonprofit teaching children to cook. “As I continue this autism acceptance movement, I thoroughly believe that if each person changes their own perspective on neurodivergence, a shift towards inclusion and understanding of all people is possible,” Mackenzie said.
Serving children age three through Sixth Grade, Trinity School is Atlanta’s sole elementary-only independent school and has cherished childhood while preparing our students for the future since 1951. Start your child’s journey today. trinityatl.org/admissions
Mackenzie Jerrold, 17 Capstone Academy
Picture a place where your child experiences all of this...
Vibrant Faith Formation
100% of faculty and staff are committed Christians, partnering with families to nurture faith and character.
Well-Rounded Education
Our Midtown location offers high schoolers weekly field trips that connect learning with real-world experiences.
Academic Excellence
32 average score on the ACT and 100% of our graduates are college-bound.
Equipped for Success
100% of our students launch their business as part of our Foundations entrepreneurship program.
Experience the difference by scheduling a tour: heritageprep.org
In response to Fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths at her school, Mady raised more than $11,000 to equip every classroom and public area at Dunwoody High with Narcan kits. She has expanded her fundraising drive to include education for students and training for teachers. She has also expanded her reach to offer guidance to other schools in the area to start similar fundraising efforts. “It felt so great going to classrooms and handing them [supplies of Narcan] out directly to teachers,” Mady said. “This isn’t just a Dunwoody High School problem, it’s a worldwide epidemic.”
Mady Cohen, 17
For the past seven years, Kate has been involved with the nonprofit Swim Across America (SSA), which raises money for cancer research. She began as a school team participant in 6th grade and has participated every year since. She’s also served as an Angel Swimmer during SAA events, making sure that the less able swimmers stay afloat. Kate has been the team captain for her school for the past two years, and she is also a member of the SAA Atlanta Junior Advisory Board. In addition to recruiting peers to swim in the annual event, she has also raised money at school bake sales and organized Kona Ice fundraisers. She also paints commissioned pet portraits and donates 100% of the proceeds to SAA.On her own, Kate has raised over $8,000 for SAA, and this year, she led the Pace team to the highest fundraising total in school history. “The funds raised through the Atlanta chapter of Swim Across America benefit cancer research at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta,” Kate said. “I am so grateful that I have been able to use my love for swimming along with my artistic ability to directly impact my local community.”
Kate Cunningham, 18 Pace Academy
Nathaniel is proud of his contributions to Blessing Bags of Warmth, a nonprofit supporting the homeless in Metro Atlanta, where he volunteers regularly. At school, he’s also actively involved in the Service Club and the International Club, where he took on a key role in organizing Hispanic Heritage Month. Helping his classmates celebrate their culture was especially meaningful for him, as he felt he was building a more inclusive and proud school community. "Giving back to the community gives me the greatest gift of all: knowing that I could make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.
Nathaniel
16
Dunwoody High School
Jackson,
Academe of the Oaks
Elias observed that his piano playing sparked joy, comfort, and memories in his family members afflicted by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia, including his recently diagnosed grandmother. That gave him the idea to start the nonprofit NOTEWORTHE Music to bring student musicians to perform for senior living communities and to raise funds to bring a music enrichment program to Emory Brain Health Center. He raised more than $10,000 to start music programming at Emory, and is on track to hit his $25K goal. The funds will go to programming design and for seniors to spend time with licensed music therapists. “I knew how much music meant to me, but I never imagined the kind of impact NOTEWORTHE Music could have on my community,” Elias said. “From inspiring students and bringing joy to seniors to bringing music therapy to Emory, it's been incredible to see music light up lives, especially for families affected by cognitive decline.”
Gabe launched the first Southeast chapter of Ping PongParkinson, a nonprofit organization that uses the game to keep those suffering with Parkinson’s Disease active and engaged. His second cousin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at a young age and benefited from joining the organization. After many months of research, Zoom calls, outreach to neurology organizations, patient advocacy groups, and coaches, Gabe and a classmate launched PingPongParkinson in Atlanta. Since the spring of 2023, the group has met weekly on Sundays with professional coaches to develop and hone balance and motor skills. They have brought in additional volunteers and are helping to grow the footprint of the larger organization, which now boasts 100+ branches across six continents. And for Gabe, it's opened his eyes to new areas of interest, combining a love of the game with the ability to help others. "What started out as a way to help people through ping pong has become so much more. It has been rewarding to watch PingPongParkinson Atlanta transform into a community."
Sydni is the two-term Teen Community Service & Foundation Chair for the Dunwoody Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, a national nonprofit organization that stimulates the growth and development of children. She is also an active participant in the Leaders of Tomorrow program with the National Black MBA Association. Sydni is also the founder and creator of Sports x Sparkle (IG: @sosportsxsparkle), an online community for individuals passionate about sports, sports medicine, and sports leadership. The platform promotes a positive mindset through adversity, celebrating the spirit of perseverance whether on or off the field. Her goal is to ultimately create a space where fans and athletes connect, uplift each other, and find strength through shared experiences and the pursuit of excellence. “‘I have always enjoyed giving back to the community, and I am reminded of the honor and privilege it has been for me to serve others and make an impact around the world,” she said.
Gabe Elkinson, 17 The Paideia School
Sydni Hope, 16 Greater Atlanta Christian School
Elias Kremer, 18 The Galloway School
Levi started flight training at the age of 12 and now holds a private pilot license. He puts that training to work by flying humanitarian missions, including most recently to North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. He and his co-pilot transported 250 pounds of relief supplies to hard-hit areas in the state. They have also volunteered to transport dogs to a shelter in Florida. The Weber senior is also a musician and entrepreneur, founding his own entertainment company providing
Maya spent part of the summer at Brown University in the Deciphering the Human Genome program, volunteering at the Shepherd Center, and founding her own jewelry business that donates 50% of its profits to ovarian cancer research. As President-Elect of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) Girlfriends Association, she raises funds and organizes events to support patients and their families. Maya is a key member of the prestigious Innovation Diploma program at Mount Vernon, and had dedicated many hours to the Agape Youth and Family Center, where she mentors underserved children.."Giving back to others is deeply ingrained in me and utilizing my passions to make meaningful contributions to my community is a driving force in my life,” she said. “I have learned that every act of service, no matter how big or small, has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life."
MARIST MADE
Serving grades 7-12, Marist School has been unlocking greatness since 1901. With a college-preparatory curriculum, extensive extracurriculars, opportunities for spiritual growth, and a Foundations program addressing the unique needs of middle schoolers, we illuminate God-given strengths and teach students to share their gifts with the world for good.
more at
Maya Chopra, 17
The Mount Vernon School
2020 UNDER RUNNERS-UP
Mary Sellers Conley, 16
The Westminster Schools
Mary created The Best Little Bookmobile, a nonprofit that brings donated books to neighborhoods where children lack access to reading materials.
Miriam Darb, 15
Midtown High School
Miriam organized a school-wide walkout and phone banking events to encourage people to vote for candidates who would support gun control in the wake of the Walton High School shooting.
Katherine (Kate) Lim, 17
Chamblee High School
Kate recently received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 100 service hours in a 12-month period. She is also active with Bagel Rescue's Teen Advisory Board and Pebble Tossers.
Mary Shamon Ayala, 17
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
Mary was a participant at Caminar Latino, a non-profit in Georgia that helps Hispanic families going through domestic violence, and now volunteers bi-weekly with young children in the same situation.
Keren Clay, 16
Lakeside High School
A two-time survivor, Keren is active in numerous charities raising money for cancer research and is participating in the Swim Across America fundraiser, among other endeavors.
Fiona Callahan, 16
Wesleyan School
Fiona led the Shoe Project fundraiser and has served on mission trips to the Dominican Republic twice which involved building a playground, mentoring children, and leading Vacation Bible School in Spanish.
Davis Kramer, 16
Saint Francis High School
Davis and his family created the nonprofit Special Operations Care Fund, which addresses critical gaps in healthcare, mental
health, and family support for veterans. He also donates unique artwork from his business, Tiny Soldiers Flags, and has raised $200,000 to the nonprofit.
Sydney Moss, 17
Chamblee High School
Sydney holds an annual “Concert for a Cause,” which has raised more than $58,000 for biliary atresia (BA) research through the Sydney Moss Fund. Due to her fundraising efforts, the Transplant Education room at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s new Arthur M. Blank Hospital is named in her honor.
Gabe Alterman, 17
The Mount Vernon School
Gabe recently organized “Play Your Heart Out,” which brought together basketball teams from across the region for a fundraiser benefitting Save A Child’s Heart. The event raised an $55,000 for the charity.
Arabella Isaacs, 17
Atlanta International School
Arabella created teenhealthawareness.org in 2022 while working as a medical clinic volunteer. She also raises funds and awareness surrounding metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
By Clare S. Richie
month, nonprofit Wonderfully
will move across the street to its new permanent bakery and activity rooms from its temporary space at the Peachtree Church campus in Buckhead. Founded by
the organization strives to cultivate community for adults with intellectual disabilities – including making and selling cookies.
“Peachtree Church has been abundantly gracious,” Correll said. "And we raised funds to renovate the old coffee shop on the main floor of their building, previously called the Lodge, for our new bakery.”
At the new location, Wonderfully Made plans to increase the number of participants, called Wonder Makers, from just six to two cohorts of 12 that meet two days a week.
“There are adults with intellectual disabilities who have beautiful gifts and talents to share,” Kannwischer said. “And there are ways to build relationships and support them so they can live full lives.”
That is the promise of Wonderfully Made, to address loneliness and isolation that hit adults with intellectual disabilities exceptionally hard with well-rounded programming. Activities include music, sports and art in the morning and fulfilling cookie orders in the afternoon.
“I have a nephew with Down syndrome,” Correll said. “I watched him graduate high school and get lost not knowing what was next.”
That’s why Correll gathered friends experiencing the same dilemma to develop a solution that went beyond employment.
“If they have a job … they go to their job and go home,” said John Griner, parent of Wonder Maker, Lele. “These young adults want to be with other young adults.”
“We found that what they were missing was community and a purpose,” Correll said.
This
Made
Kitty Correll, Kelly Kannwischer, and Betsy Brown,
The Wonder Makers show off their cookies. (Courtesy Wonderfully Made)
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
Continued from page 28
That’s what the co-founders set out to create – spending nearly two years baking in Correll’s kitchen alongside some future Wonder Makers, talking with parents, meeting with other Atlanta leaders, and securing space with Peachtree Church –before launching Wonderfully Made in September 2024.
Griner encouraged the co-founders to include exercise. They were receptive.
“On Tuesdays, we do basketball for 45 minutes,” said Griner, who leads that activity. “They have other volunteers come in to do a physical activity like pickleball or hip hop dance.”
The Wonder Makers are thriving.
“One of our adults, Johnny, basically started nonverbal and would watch from the side,” Kannwischer said. ”I can safely say our challenge now is to get him to stop talking and let others have a chance. It’s been fun watching him come alive and find a place and feel safe here.”
“Lele loves it,” Griner said. “It’s like having six brothers or sisters, with more to join. It’s a godsend.”
Community is also found by volunteers “who come to laugh with us, teach an activity, and bake with us,” Correll said.
“You go to volunteer but you walk away with your heart full of joy, because they are so happy,” said Suzanne Howard who volunteers every Tuesday. “ I’m 53 years old, how many times am I going to play kickball? It’s been life-changing for me. I plan my week around it.”
Howard also provides an extra pair of hands as the Wonder Makers prepare and package chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.
“Today, I was with Teon,” Howard shared. “I held the bag open as he put in one cookie per bag. We did like 300 cookies. When he finished a tray – he threw away the parchment paper, put away the used pan, and picked up the next tray. They love having a job.”
Another way to help Wonderfully Made is to buy the cookies they bake.
And as they grow, they are eager to connect with other churches, community centers or other organizations that have empty rooms during the school day to accommodate programming for adults with intellectual disabilities.
“One of our goals for 2025 is to codify what we’ve learned, make it accessible for anyone who would like to start their own Wonderfully Made community and be a resource for them,” said Kannwischer.
Visit wonderfullymadecommunity. org to order cookies, volunteer, donate or enroll. Tuition financial assistance is available for those in need.
The Best New Atlanta Restaurants of 2024
By Beth McKibben
Welcome to Rough Draft’s inaugural edition of Best New Restaurants!
I spent the last year dining at new restaurants across Metro Atlanta. After multiple visits to more than a dozen serious contenders, four restaurants and a pop-up, captured my attention again and again.
Restaurants in contention opened between Oct. 1, 2023, and Oct. 1, 2024. Like our coverage areas for Rough Draft, restaurants under consideration included those in the cities of Atlanta, Brookhaven, Tucker, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody, along with restaurants in greater Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, and southern Cobb and southern Gwinnett counties.
Nearly four years after the pandemic began, 2024 proved a turning point for Atlanta restaurants. While established places finally settled into a recalibrated groove this year, new restaurants shed light on the emerging trends, service models,
Introducing Atlanta’s Best New Restaurants of 2024!
Bread & Butterfly
New ownership/new dinner launched October 2023
290 Elizabeth Street, Inman Park bread-and-butterfly.com
You might be forgiven for sleeping on dinner at Bread & Butterfly since Chef Demetrius Brown and Brandon Blanchard took over the restaurant last year from Chef Billy Allin. The August 2023 transaction was so low key, that the change of ownership went mostly unnoticed for weeks. Brown and Blanchard retained the restaurant’s name and much of Allin’s French-leaning breakfast and brunch menu. But Brown launched a new dinner service three months later, expanding on the French-Caribbean dishes served at his pop-up, Heritage Supper Club. Dinner at Bread & Butterfly continues Brown’s mission to spotlight the culinary
chefs, and cuisines Atlanta can look forward to in the future.
Our dining scene is thriving, with the 2024 award winners bringing something special to the table, including FrenchCaribbean dishes, Honduran street food, Scottish and Southern-inspired cuisine, Viet-Cajun barbecue, and Polish fare with a seasonal twist.
depth and breadth of the African diaspora, including food traditions of enslaved Black people and nations in Africa and the Caribbean colonized by the French. Brown was born into a proud Trinidadian family, driving him to dig deeper into the roots of Afro-Caribbean cuisine.
Start with feathery soft plantain buns accompanied by Georgia cane syrup
butter or a seasonal salad of local greens and ancient West African grains like fonio dressed with shallot vinaigrette. Brown’s take on djon-djon comprises rice, peas, and local and Haitian mushrooms tossed in
Glorieta serves a few crossover dishes from neighboring Central American countries, Honduran specialties lie at the heart of the restaurant’s tight menu.
For many Hondurans, the main meal
herbaceous epis (sauce similar to sofrito.) Scallop étouffée comes served in a savory roux garnished with delicate Carolina Gold rice crisps, green onions, and parsley. Entrees like Poulet Colombo pull in flavors and ingredients from the eastern Caribbean, including brown mustard and coconut.
Wines range from buttery chardonnays to bold syrahs, while cocktails and nonalcoholic mixed drinks feature ingredients like sorrel syrup, plantaininfused rum, and fresh local herbs.
Despite being open for nearly a decade in Inman Park, Bread & Butterfly is new in all but name under Brown and Blanchard, and dinner here shouldn’t be missed.
La Glorieta Honduran Restaurant
Opened December 2023 4010 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker facebook.com/laglorieta504
Owned and operated by brothers Nelson and Edgardo Flores and their families, La Glorieta brought Tucker a taste of Honduras when it opened on Lawrenceville Highway last December. What the small, counter-service spot lacks in square footage, La Glorieta more than makes up for on the menu.
Colonialism and ancient trade routes by land and sea infused the country’s Mesoamerican cuisine with flavors, ingredients, and dishes from Spain, the Caribbean, and Africa. While La
of the day is breakfast, and La Glorieta keeps it traditional with desayuno catracho (Honduran breakfast) comprised of eggs, beans, fried plantains, queso fresco, avocado, and tortillas. Baleadas – a popular Honduran street food often eaten on the go in the morning – come layered with refried beans, queso, and crema bundled in a lightly fried tortilla with the option to add scrambled eggs, avocado, chicken, or steak. During lunch, pollo chuco con pechuga sees fried green plantains crowned with shredded cabbage, tomatoes, pink sauce, pickled vegetables, chismol (pico de gallo), and fried chicken.
You can easily miss La Glorieta traveling down Lawrenceville Highway. Now that you know where to look, put this little gem on regular rotation when visiting Tucker.
Nàdair
Opened May 2024 1123 Zonolite Road, Woodland Hills nadairatl.com
Gunshow chef Kevin Gillespie pays tribute to his Scottish and Southern roots at Nàdair. Here, Gillespie returns to leading a kitchen and the cooking he became known for years ago at Woodfire Grill. Nàdair offers a choice of a threecourse or an ambitious six-course tasting menu; both include an amuse bouche and interludes of palate cleansers between dishes. Tastings start with lighter courses
Continued on page 32
Djon djon: a Haitian dish made at Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park with Carolina Gold rice, local and Haitian mushrooms, and French beans. (Courtesy of Bread & Butterfly)
La Glorieta Honduran in Tucker. (Photo by La Glorieta)
Continued from page 31
of Scottish cheese dumplings served with a wood-roasted Vidalia onion sauce, while peach-braised pork belly accompanies wood-grilled scallops. Delicate filets of North Georgia rainbow trout in a brown butter jus with a fried peanut crumb or Scottish red stag served as a duo of grilled loin and a meaty bon bon round out heavier courses. Dessert might include Gillespie’s riff on his grandmother’s banoffee pie or a decadent trifle of cake, seasonal fruit, and hand-made custard.
Wine lovers would be wise to order the pairings with their tasting, guided by Michelin award-winning sommelier Ashleigh McFadden. With the bar led by longtime Atlanta bartender Eric Simpkins, cocktails range from light and refreshing twists on the G&T and Gimlet to a black tea and malted milk-washed bourbon Old Fashioned.
The restaurant’s name comes from the Scots Gaelic phrase “dòigh nàdair,” or “the way of nature.” And while Gillespie showcases the best of what’s in season on the menu, the phrase also nods to how natural and in his element Gillespie is at Nàdair.
Gene’s
Opened July 2024
2371 Hosea L Williams Drive, East Lake genesgenesgenes.com
What began as a popular pop-up hosted at Kimball House, Bogg’s Social and Supply, and Poor Hendrix transformed into Gene’s the restaurant boasting lines out the door. Branded and named for owner Avery Cottrell’s pudgy orange and white cat, Gene’s combines barbecue cooked on a hot pink smoker with dishes inspired by the seafood shacks of Cottrell’s upbringing in southeast Louisiana. The vibe, music, and decor of flea market finds and collectibles at Gene’s melds the dive-bar energy of the Flora-Bama with the comfortable familiarity of your favorite roadside barbecue joint.
But don’t let Cottrell’s animated, yet down-to-earth personality fool you into thinking he doesn’t take his food seriously. Cottrell flexes with flavors in the sides, sandwiches, and smoked meat trays at Gene’s. Order a meat-and-three meal loaded with chili-brined chicken skewers, pulled sticky ribs caramelized in fish sauce, and tender brisket with sides of Vietnamese-style smashed cucumbers, beef tallow refried beans studded with brisket scraps, or Serrano pepper coleslaw. Potato salad comes dressed in green goddess sauce,
and waffle fries are dusted with dehydrated Tabasco mash. Layered with vanilla wafers and Biscoff cookies, Gene’s banana pudding is based on a recipe from coowner Matt Christensen’s grandmother.
Christensen, one of the owners of Kimball House, isn’t the only member of the award-winning Decatur restaurant partnered in Gene’s — or contributing to the menu. Veteran Atlanta barman Miles Macquarrie created the cocktails, including a savory martini using Atlanta-produced Murrell’s Row Gin Gin, a rye Manhattan with apricot brandy, and a Bushwacker, Hurricane, and margarita served frozen from a slushie machine.
It’s hard not to get excited when you walk into Gene’s — or absorb Cottrell’s energy when he talks about his food and new restaurant. It all manifests into a damn good time in East Lake.
Beksa Lala
Launched November 2023
Burle’s Bar, 505 North Angier Avenue, Old Fourth Ward instagram.com/beksa_atl
Cooking has been a part of Basia Piechoczek’s life since childhood. She cooked alongside her Polish grandmother growing up, later finding work at restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida. But operating a pop-up restaurant wasn’t part of the plan when Piechoczek moved to Atlanta in 2020.
Last December, a longtime restaurant colleague reached out to Piechoczek,
asking her to cook Polish dishes for a pop-up Christmas event at Burle’s Bar in the Old Fourth Ward. Taking inspiration from foods served during wigilia (Polish Christmas Eve vigil meal) Piechoczek’s menu featured traditional dishes like pierogi and her grandmother’s tangy barszcz (beetroot soup) with wild mushroom-filled uszka (dumplings).
The success of the 2023 Christmas event led to Piechoczek launching Beksa Lala – a Polish food pop-up bearing her childhood nickname (crybaby) blending traditional dishes with modern takes on the Central European country’s cuisine.
In residence most Fridays and Saturdays at Burle’s Bar on the Eastside Beltline, Piechoczek posts up beside the patio, serving a delightfully playful menu of Polish favorites. Her pierogi come stuffed with creamy whipped potatoes and smoky farmer’s cheese. Smoked quail, Rycki Edam cheese, local mushrooms, and garlicky Polish pickles top toasted zapiekanapka (open-faced sandwich), while pickles and pork rinds garnish smoked deviled eggs. Expect seasonal dishes, too, including salads of local greens, edible flowers, and micro herbs and bigos (hunter’s stew) brimming with pork and beef kielbasa, mushrooms, and cabbage.
Piechoczek isn’t afraid to lean into her flavors, play with ingredients, and push boundaries to celebrate the foods of her Polish roots, making this pop-up one to visit and Piechoczek one to watch.
Gene’s in East Lake combines Viet-Cajun barbecue with dishes inspired by the seafood shacks in southeast Louisiana. (Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee)
Roasted lamb loin and fire-roasted carrots from Nàdair. (Photo by Angie Mosier)
Pierogi stuffed with creamy potatoes and smoky farmer’s cheese topped with caramelized onions.
REAL ESTATE Residential real estate expected to remain strong in 2025
By Kathy Dean
The Atlanta real estate market has stayed active, especially in the highly desirable areas of Buckhead, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Tucker. The mood is positive, and the numbers look good.
In its data for October 2024, the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) reports that residential sales in Metro Atlanta reached 4,272, an increase of 4.1% over October 2023. The average sales price was $516,000, up 0.7% from the previous year, and new listings hit 7,541; an increase of 14.1% from October 2023 and 2.9% from September 2024.
Cook
Speaking to the market in general, real estate has fared well Intown, said Jason Cook, Real Estate Agent, Ansley Real Estate | Christie’s International. “There’s still not much inventory, so things have kept moving steadily.”
Cook deals mostly with high-end, luxury properties, and that market hasn’t been impacted as much from interest rates since many of his clients are cash buyers. “On the other hand, condo purchases are impacted by interest rates. For many of those first time home buyers, housing is less affordable,” he said.
As far as the type of housing that buyers want, Cook notes that single-family homes priced below $2 million are highly desirable. “We’re still seeing multiple offers for them. It’s not like in 2021-22, but if the homes are in a desirable neighborhood, priced right and move-in ready, they’ll still get two or three offers,” he said.
Cook is optimistic about 2025.
“I expect the market to continue to be steady,” he said. “Buyers are more confident now that we’re through the election; sellers are accepting the fact that the higher interest rates are stable and are putting their homes on the market. It’ll hopefully lead to a more balanced, even market in 2025.”
Erin Yabroudy
According to Erin Yabroudy, Realtor,
Norman
the market has fared relatively well overall, despite some market headwinds primarily driven by an increase in interest rates during the peak spring market and into summer.
“More sellers put their homes on the market this year versus last year as 17% more homes have been listed year to date,” she reported. “The pace of sales has slowed only slightly.”
Yabroudy shared that interest rates had kept some buyers on the sidelines, especially when they were over 7%, but when the rates dropped into the low 6s in late August, it brought a lot of those buyers back into the market.
“Inventory has certainly rebounded in 2024, and we are currently at the same levels of homes available for sale as we were immediately prior to the pandemic,” she said.
“The condo market was softer this year primarily because there is 58% more inventory than there was a year ago,” Yabroudy said. “As far as 2025 goes, our expectation is demand for single-family homes will remain strong and the condo market will improve to where Atlanta should sell 7-10% more units.”
Yabroudy stressed that things are looking good and that she’s never felt better about residential real estate in the Atlanta
Patrick O’Connell
“In the office, we like to say 2024 has been a ‘Buffalo Market,’ meaning the market likes to roam,” said Patrick O’Connell, Managing Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Buckhead. “From the general mood of buyers and sellers to the interest rates, to the inventory, it has been a year with less certain trend lines.”
He noted that this was partially due to the uncertainty created by the election.
Jason
Harry
Realtors,
metro area.
This home on McKinley Road in Buckhead was recently on the market. (Courtesy Kathryn Crabtree)
But there’s good news about the inventory of available housing.
“Inventory in Fulton and DeKalb counties has increased 33% in the last 12 months. We now have nearly five months of inventory. Six to nine months of inventory is optimal for a balanced market, so we are heading in the right direction,” O’Connell said. “There is new construction in many areas, but nothing that will outpace the normal absorption.”
He explained that this should mean that buyers and sellers will be on a more even playing field in 2025.
“We have seen inventory priced below $500,000 sitting on the market longer this year as those buyers are more interest rate sensitive,” O’Connell said. “The more active market has been in homes priced around $1 million and even up to $1.75 million.”
Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Alpharetta have all fared well this year, according to O’Connell. “The Southern Crescent and Gwinnett have also been strong markets for sellers,” he said. “I see a similar trend into 2025.”
Beth Boswell
Beth Boswell, Realtor, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty said she has seen continued interest in Dunwoody, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs from buyers.
“Last year, things were quiet for about a month, but we expect a strong Spring and a healthy resurgence through 2025,” she said.
Dunwoody is getting a lot of new infill and has remained a solid, steady market, Boswell reported. “Even during the recession, the 30338 zip code had the least foreclosures in the city.”
Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Dunwoody are thriving because they have
the location and accessibility. “And each town has its own infrastructure, with park systems and amenities that attract businesses like Whole Foods,” she said.
Another draw is the Perimeter Business District, home to a lot of Fortune 500 companies, attracted by its location to mass transportation, like MARTA and Hartsfield.
Buyers are also attracted to the natural features. “The Chattahoochee River goes right through Sandy Springs,” Boswell said. “In Brookhaven, we have the Peachtree Creek Greenway, a 1.3-mile multi-modal path that runs from North Druid Hills Road to Briarwood Road. I believe that is an under-utilized amenity.”
Kathryn Crabtree, Kim Boyd and Julia Cox
Atlanta’s real estate market remained resilient in 2024, despite challenges like rising interest rates and the uncertainties of an election year, said Kathryn Crabtree, Real Estate Professional, Atlanta Fine
Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. Crabtree is a member of The Boyd Team, along with Kim Boyd and Julia Cox.
“Because of rising rates, buyers have become increasingly picky, meaning longer days on market and a lower sales price for homes that aren’t move-in ready,” Crabtree said.
Despite those challenges, Crabtree reported that she’s seeing one of the busiest ‘Holiday Markets’ in a long time.
Boyd said that the shortage of housing inventory has eased slightly in some areas and for certain products, especially in the luxury market, “…but we still have a long way to go.” The luxury condo market has been popular among those looking for a low-maintenance, resort-like lifestyle and new luxury high-rises have entered the scene.
“Just like in prior COVID years,
suburban neighborhoods continue to be of interest, like Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Roswell and Peachtree Corners,” Boyd added.
Cox said that, as expected, singlefamily homes were the most sought-after properties in 2024. “It was a challenging year for townhomes and condos, as many buyers are looking for more space and outdoor living and avoiding high fees in a year with higher interest rates.”
However, she noted, condos priced well with conservative HOAs were still in demand, especially among younger buyers and downsizers.
In 2025, the team anticipates continued interest in single-family homes that are move-in ready, but also see a growing demand for newer construction.
Crabtree ended on a positive note. “Looking ahead, I’m optimistic about 2025,” she said.
This home on Roxboro Road in Buckhead was recently on the market. (Photo by Patrick O’Connell)
Julia Cox, Kathryn Crabtree and Kim Boyd (Provided)
Chasing Dreams: Unite in Service for the 2025
MLK Days of Service
On January 20, 2025, as the nation embraces new leadership and Atlanta hosts the College Football Playoff National Championship, thousands will come together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through the MLK Days of Service. This day of action, reflection, and community embodies Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community,” where all individuals are interconnected and work collectively towards justice and equality.
A Day On, Not a Day Off
The MLK Day of Service, the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, encourages Americans to transform the holiday into a “day on” of community engagement rather than a “day off.” This initiative, led by AmeriCorps for over a quarter-century, inspires individuals to volunteer in their local communities, fostering unity and addressing societal challenges.
Hands On Atlanta: Leading the Charge
In Atlanta, Hands On Atlanta will lead efforts for their MLK Days of Service, engaging close to 5,000 volunteers across 200 projects that will support more than 50 nonprofits and schools from January 10-20, 2025. Powered by Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola and other corporate sponsors, these projects provide diverse opportunities for volunteers to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Hands On Atlanta Special Events to Inspire and Educate
The 2025 MLK Days of Service feature several special events designed to educate, inspire, and mobilize the community:
■ MLK Jr. Beloved Community Awards: This event honors individuals and organizations advancing leadership, social justice, and Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community.
■ Beloved Community TeachIn: Join The King Center’s global movement celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King through educational sessions.
■ Beloved Community Youth Book Reading: An engaging event by The King Center that inspires young
minds and fosters a love for reading through interactive experiences.
■ Beloved Community Global Summit: A summit exploring AI’s impact on freedom, justice, and democracy through the lens of Nonviolence365.
■ Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 - She Shall Not Be Moved: Hosted by the Atlanta History Center, this event honors Dr. King and celebrates the women of the Civil Rights Movement with activities,
exhibits, and discussions.
■ Drum Run 5K: A community event that celebrates Martin Luther King Day through fellowship and fitness, embodying the spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.
■ MLK Sunday Supper: Hands On Atlanta’s 11th Annual MLK Sunday Supper at the Atlanta History Center features a powerful program and intimate conversation on Environmental Justice.
Volunteer Opportunities: Making a Tangible Impact
The MLK Days of Service offer numerous volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups to make a tangible impact. Here are a few featured projects:
■ Cascade Springs Beautification: 250 volunteers from Ben & Jerry’s will transform this 125-acre forested city park nestled in Atlanta’s Cascade Heights neighborhood.
■ Meals4Kids Meal Pack: 150 volunteers from Delta Air Lines will pack 2,000 meals for students and families in Hands On Atlanta partner, Title 1 schools.
■ Champions Pack at Hope Hill Elementary: 200 volunteers from the College Football Playoff Foundation, including 50 Teacher of the Year recipients will pack kits for teachers, STEAM and meal kits for students at Hope Hill Elementary.
■ Latin American Association Meal Distribution: Volunteers from The Home Depot and 11Alive will sort, pack and distribute meals to families at the Latin American Association.
Corporate Support
The impact created across the 2025 MLK Days of Service is not possible without the incredible support of Atlanta’s corporate community. Powered by Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola, 22 other companies including The Home Depot, OneDigital and Cargil will engage their employees in service for the King holiday to mobilize close to 1,500 volunteers.
Join the Movement
As Dr. King profoundly stated, “All life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny.”
The 2025 MLK Days of Service provides an opportunity for individuals, families, and organizations to honor this interconnectedness by contributing to the betterment of their communities.
To explore MLK Day related volunteer opportunities, register for events, or learn more about the MLK Days of Service, visit www.handsonatlanta.org/mlk. By participating, you become part of a collective effort to realize Dr. King’s dream of a just, inclusive, and compassionate society.
Equity in Action: Raveena Alli’s Journey of Service
At the heart of Atlanta’s vibrant community is a network of selfless individuals working tirelessly to create positive change. Among them is Raveena Alli, a first-year undergraduate at Georgia Tech, double majoring in International Affairs and Modern Languages, as well as Public Policy, with a planned minor in Social Justice. Raveena epitomizes the spirit of servant leadership, equityminded advocacy, and global awareness. Her dedication to both academics and community service paints an inspiring portrait of what it means to lead with purpose.
When she’s not immersed in her studies or volunteering, Raveena works part-time with Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) on their Yes! For Equity youth staff team, advancing policies and institutional actions that promote racial equity and shared prosperity in Metropolitan Atlanta and beyond.
We sat down with Raveena to learn more about her and her commitment to better Atlanta.
Which nonprofit organizations do you volunteer with?
Raveena dedicates her time to several impactful organizations, including:
■ Atlanta Mission: Specifically at My Sister’s House and Restoration House, shelters for women and children experiencing homelessness.
■ WABE Advisory
Council: Providing insights to help WABE create a more inclusive Atlanta community centered on diverse voices.
■ 49 Mustard Seeds Foundation:
Serving as a board member, Raveena helps create engaging math content for students and organizes school supply drives for local schools.
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most?
“In Atlanta alone, over ten thousand of our neighbors are experiencing homelessness. Housing is a basic human right. Addressing homelessness requires investing in affordable, safe, and dignified housing while changing the narrative to eliminate stigma. It’s not about blame or judgment—it’s about collective action and care,” Raveena shares. Her volunteer work with Atlanta Mission reflects her commitment to fostering a supportive environment for women and children, where they can heal and thrive. How has volunteering impacted your personal and professional life?
“Volunteerism fosters a profound sense of connection to my Atlanta community,” Raveena explains. “It personalizes systemic challenges and inspires hope as I think about the changes I can contribute to as a young leader.” Through her experiences,
she has developed empathy, awareness, and an unwavering commitment to driving equitable policies that amplify marginalized voices.
What skills have you honed through volunteering?
Leading the Community Service Club at Atlanta Girls’ School taught Raveena adaptability, creativity, and dynamic leadership. She’s learned to motivate peers with diverse interests, plan impactful events, and connect meaningfully with her community. These experiences, along with mentorship from faculty advisors, have strengthened her event-planning and service-learning skills.
Can you share a memorable highlight?
One of Raveena’s most cherished moments came during a Mother’s Day tea party at Restoration House in May 2023. She co-led her school’s Community Service Club to serve 80 mothers and 40 children with food, crafts, and games. “The joy in that room was contagious. Watching the women relax and celebrate reminded me of the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit,” she reflects.
Why Atlanta?
“Atlanta is home to so many inspiring spaces,” Raveena notes. She particularly loves Out of Hand Theater for its innovative approach to social justice through the arts.
Their Institute for Equity Activism training left a lasting impression on her. What advice would you give to someone interested in volunteering?
“Never underestimate the sacredness of your time. Small acts of kindness can create ripples of change. Show up for your community—it’s a gift that reminds others they are cared for,” Raveena advises. Raveena’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of volunteerism. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to contribute their talents and time to building a kinder, more equitable world.
Meet Sydney Williams: A One-in-a-Million Volunteer
Sydney Williams is no ordinary volunteer. As a 2022 graduate of the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program and a dedicated volunteer their Discovery program, Sydney was also recognized earlier this year as Hands On Atlanta’s 1,000,000th volunteer!
Sydney epitomizes service and leadership. From supporting local nonprofits to guiding corporate activations as a task leader, she approaches every opportunity with passion and purpose. In addition to serving with Hands On Atlanta, Sydney volunteers with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, mentoring future leaders with the same energy and commitment.
Watching kids in the Discovery program learn new skills throughout the school year and gain confidence is what Sydney loves most about volunteering. She’s passionate about providing academic enrichment opportunities to all children and believes education is an impact area that everyone in the community should prioritize. “The wellbeing of future generations is a shared responsibility of our community,” she says.
Volunteering has brought balance to Sydney’s life, helping her stay grounded and present in her personal
and professional responsibilities. It’s also given her the chance to hone her project management skills, which have evolved significantly through her volunteer experiences. She finds motivation in the smiles of the kids she serves, knowing her consistent presence makes a lasting impact. Having spent most of her young professional years in Atlanta, Sydney feels
deeply connected to the city that raised her. She loves exploring Atlanta’s vibrant restaurant scene and beautiful parks, which have become her favorite escapes in her free time.
For those considering volunteering throughout the 2025 MLK Days of Service, Sydney recommends bringing a friend to make the experience more
comfortable and fun. Her journey is a powerful reminder of how service can not only transform lives in the community but also shape the person you become. Join volunteers like Sydney in making Atlanta a little more engaged and equitable.
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
166 Years of Impact: The YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s Commitment to Building Stronger Communities
For over a century and a half, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta has been a pillar of growth, resilience, and community connection. Founded in 1858, the Y has grown far beyond its origins as a refuge for young men moving to the city. Today, it’s a transformative organization meeting Atlanta’s evolving needs with programs that empower individuals and strengthen the community.
At the heart of the Y’s mission is a commitment to fostering healthy mind, body, and spirit while championing equity and inclusion. Whether it’s teaching children to swim, addressing health disparities, or supporting families in need, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta is more than a gym—it’s a vital resource for hundreds of thousands of Atlantans. But what fuels this mission? The tireless dedication of volunteers.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Y. Every month, over 300 individuals step up to support its programs, ensuring they thrive and reach those who need them most. The Y’s most essential and turnkey opportunities focus on day-to-day operations. Volunteers can coach youth sports like basketball and soccer, creating a positive environment for kids to learn teamwork and perseverance, support hunger relief programs by packing and distributing groceries and meals through mobile markets, or participate in seasonal events like family fairs and resource days, providing critical support during the busiest times of the year.
For those looking to engage in more specialized roles, the Y offers unique youth-focused opportunities. Volunteers can read stories to toddlers in the play center, fostering literacy and connection, shadow camp counselors in teen camps, helping guide young leaders of tomorrow, or provide mentorship or professional development for teens, equipping them
with skills to succeed academically and professionally.
Corporate groups can also get involved through tailored service days. These group experiences include beautifying Y facilities, revitalizing community gardens, preparing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) kits, and facilitating lessons for young campers. These impactful projects provide a meaningful way for organizations to give back while building team camaraderie.
Alexis Slocumb, the Y’s Director of Social Impact, leads its volunteer efforts with passion and purpose. Her favorite part of the role? Watching the magic of connection unfold. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to ideate, plan, and execute volunteer experiences that not only bring joy to participants but also deliver dignity and soul-nourishing support to those being served,” Alexis shares. She’s not alone in her enthusiasm. Volunteers consistently rave about their experiences. As Dolapo B. notes, “The atmosphere was inviting and
met the needs of the community.” Another volunteer, Madeline W., said, “Our group loved volunteering with the Y and would definitely come back. It was such an impactful experience.”
The Y is preparing for an exciting year ahead, with new projects designed to create even greater impact. The first is the Summer Youth Employment Program, a partnership with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to provide 30 summer jobs for youth ages 14–24. Thanks to grant funding, these positions—ranging from camp counselors to lifeguards—will equip young people with valuable work experience and professional skills.
The second initiative is the African American Circle of Giving, a new philanthropic effort to close educational and health equity gaps, particularly for African American children and communities of color. The fund will support early learning, water safety education, and scholarships for Boys and Young Men of Color, ensuring every child
has the tools to thrive.
Finally, the Y continues to welcome more Atlantans into its programs, creating spaces where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can connect, grow, and contribute to their communities.
The Y began as an entirely volunteerdriven organization, and today, volunteers remain integral to its mission. They serve in diverse roles, from coaching sports teams and mentoring teens to assembling hygiene kits for homeless families. For volunteers, the experience is deeply rewarding. Lynn B. reflects, “What I volunteered to do was only a small portion of what was needed to make this a successful project. It’s truly a collaborative effort by so many people.” Another volunteer, Brian W., said, “I felt soccer helped bring all of the kids together to help community relations.”
Each volunteer effort, no matter how small, contributes to the Y’s larger goal: strengthening Atlanta through inclusive, transformative programs.
As the YMCA of Metro Atlanta continues its work into 2025, its mission remains steadfast. From launching innovative programs to providing critical community resources, the Y is committed to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting health equity, and fostering a sense of belonging for all.
Want to support this mission? There are countless ways to get involved: Volunteer with the Y through ongoing or one-time projects, become a member to access programs that promote health and community, or listen to (Y) Connect, the Y’s podcast that highlights the stories of the people and programs making an impact.
Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate, or join, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta welcomes you with open arms. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, and more connected Atlanta.
