By Ryan Downey
Last month, East Atlanta Kids Club (EAKC) gathered 170 or so close friends, family, and supporters, to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The “Building Our Beloved Community Gala,” hosted at The Trolley Barn, was both a celebration of twenty-five years of service and an opportunity to spring into the next twenty-five alongside so many critical allies. Thanks to valued supporters, north of $101,000 was raised. One exceptional highlight of the evening was the art auction led by ABV Agency + Gallery, featuring unique works of art from Greg Mike, Lela Brunet, Fabian Williams, Drew Borders, George F. Baker III, Alex Wolf, Sanithna, Thomas Turner, Arrrtaddict, and Killamari.
This event tied a bow on the EAKC 25th year; and what a year it has been! In 2023, Kids Club has served 161 youth, from 44 area schools, and through 33,129 hours of no-cost after school and summer camp, all record numbers. They distributed over 70,000 pounds of food through weekly distributions, putting more than $180,000 worth of food into the community. Eighty-nine private rentals were hosted at the Recreation Center. These were mostly children’s birthday parties, but occasionally larger events like Kids Fringe as part of Atlanta Fringe Fest. Dozens of community meetings were also generously hosted. Funds were raised and partnerships nurtured, to execute four park improvement projects, including the renovated basketball court through CashApp, and Art in the Paint and the new chess park, through Appfire Town.
The East Atlanta Kids Club also hosted major special events, including the Kids FunZone at East Atlanta Strut in and 19th Annual Brownwood Bike Rally, both in September. Not content to just help East Atlanta, they led kid’s area activities at festivals in Kirkwood, Ormewood Park, and Benteen Park. As the final days of the year approach, the 3rd Annual Present-Palooza will see the Brownwood Recreation Center converted into a holiday store, putting more than 4,000 gifts, valued at over $70,000, under trees, and into the hands of children and adults alike.
Looking ahead to 2024, there are plans to put another vehicle on the road to provide transportation support for even more deserving youth. The Kids Club is also launching a new no-cost counseling support program that will embed a licensed counselor in a local APS school to specifically support EAKC kids. More resources will strengthen the Family Café programming, as it continues to grow into this next year.
2023 was a fitting capstone to the first twenty-five years of the Atlanta Kids Club, and with the support of the community, 2024 will be a tremendous springboard into the next twenty-five. Onward together!
