Westside Future Fund (WFF) is dedicated to ensuring that legacy residents of Atlanta’s historic Westside remain rooted in the community they call home. Through its Home on the Westside program, WFF supports individuals and families with live, work and learn connections to the historic Westside, helping them achieve the dream of homeownership.

A cornerstone of this initiative is WFF’s partnership with Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit championing financial literacy and empowerment. Established in 2022 through the generous philanthropic support of Cadence Bank, this partnership is designed to create pathways to economic mobility, foster community stabilization and build an ecosystem of resources to break the cycle of poverty on the historic Westside.

The investment from Cadence Bank has been instrumental in advancing these goals, providing the resources needed to empower Westside families and ensure the community’s vibrancy for generations to come.

Together, WFF and Operation HOPE are transforming lives by holistically addressing the financial barriers to homeownership. This partnership is paving the way for a brighter, more stable future for historic Westside families, reinforcing the community’s legacy while equipping residents to thrive.

The Partnership in Action

When prospective homeowners join WFF’s Home on the Westside program, they are paired with trusted real estate professionals and financial coaches. Operation HOPE plays a critical role in this process, with financial coach Mercedes Settles providing one-on-one support to clients who need guidance in improving their financial standing. Settles brings over 20 years of experience in mortgage lending and a passion for helping underserved communities achieve generational wealth.

The partnership ensures that individuals with ties to the Westside have the tools and resources they need to overcome financial obstacles.

“We focus on creating sustainable habits,” said Settles. “From budgeting and savings to improving credit scores and reducing debt, it’s all about preparing clients for long-term success.”

A Pathway to Stability

For clients referred by WFF, the process begins with an assessment of their financial situation. Whether it’s raising credit scores, building savings or creating a budget, Settles provides personalized support to meet each individual’s needs.

One recent Home on the Westside participant exemplifies this impact. Starting with a credit score of 517 and no savings in July, the client worked with Settles to improve their financial outlook. By October, their score had risen to 648, and they had saved $12,000 — key milestones on their journey to becoming a homeowner.

Staying Rooted in the Westside

The ultimate goal of this partnership is not just any homeownership but ensuring that those with connections to the Westside can remain in the community they call home. By helping residents achieve financial stability, WFF and Operation HOPE are strengthening the social and economic fabric of the Westside.

“Programs like this are critical,” said Settles. “They give clients the knowledge and support they need to stay rooted in their community and thrive in a challenging housing market.”

A Shared Vision for the Westside

The collaboration between WFF and Operation HOPE is about more than numbers and programs. It reflects a shared vision of creating opportunities for residents to build a better future for themselves and their families, while maintaining the historic and cultural integrity of Atlanta’s Westside.

By combining WFF’s mission of community revitalization with Operation HOPE’s expertise in financial literacy, the partnership is breaking down barriers to homeownership. For legacy residents of the Westside, it’s a step toward financial empowerment and stability that ensures they can remain an integral part of their community.

Learn more about Home on the Westside.

During Thanksgiving week, the WFF Volunteer Corps joined forces with Hudson Grille to ensure individuals and families in Atlanta’s historic Westside could fully enjoy the holiday. This marks the fifth year of their impactful partnership, which provided hundreds of Thanksgiving meals complete with turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, desserts and rolls.

Hudson Grille has a long-standing tradition of giving back, beginning in 1991 at their original Juniper Street location. Community service has been at the heart of their business from the start. However, in 2020, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a reevaluation of their distribution strategy. This led to a collaboration with Raquel Hudson, Director of Volunteer Programs at Westside Future Fund, forming a partnership that has continued to thrive and grow.

This year’s event took place in the two days leading up to Thanksgiving, distributing meals to hundreds of families in need. The program’s reach has expanded each year, making a tangible difference for countless households by ensuring they have a warm and hearty Thanksgiving meal.

“This partnership has become a cornerstone of our community service efforts for historic Westside families,” said Hudson. “Every family deserves a delicious meal during the holidays, and we’re honored to work alongside the Hudson Grille team to make that a reality.”

For the second consecutive year, WFF Volunteer Corps’ distribution efforts were led by interns from Integrity Home Solutions, a WFF community partner. These interns, aged 11 to 21, are employed through a Georgia Natural Gas-funded initiative as part of the Mayor of Atlanta’s Year of the Youth program. The program focuses on keeping young people under 25 engaged, employed and learning valuable job skills.

For Ryan, an intern with Integrity Home Solutions and Westside Future Fund, the experience of giving back has been deeply rewarding.

“I hope our efforts today bring joy to the families receiving these meals,” Ryan said. “For some, this might be the first time they’ve been able to share a complete Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s an honor to be part of that.”

As this partnership grows year after year, the WFF Volunteer Corps and Hudson Grille continue to exemplify the power of community collaboration in creating a brighter, more inclusive holiday season for all.

This incredible event is just the first of several that WFF will be participating in to support the community this holiday season. If you or someone you know would like to get involved, please visit https://volunteer.westsidefuturefund.org/.

Destiny Motley, a Virginia native who moved to Atlanta’s Westside in 2019, is approaching her one-year milestone as a homeowner in December 2024. With the support of the Westside Future Fund, Motley has become the first in her family to own a home. In a remarkable five-year journey, she has transformed her life, going from unhoused to homeowner in Atlanta’s historic Westside community.

“I got introduced to Westside Future Fund through the At-Promise Center,” Motley said. “I met Ms. Tameka who works with the Westside Future Fund and she has helped so much.”

Motley says that Westside Future Fund made everything so easy for her through guidance and communication. The organization worked with her to make sure that she was on top of every form, deadline, and payment. 

“Over $100,000 was taken care of, and all I had to come out of pocket was $1,500,” Motley said. 

Before relocating to Atlanta to pursue her music career, Motley was a well-known artist in Richmond, Virginia. Without a place to stay, she was sleeping in her car for months after arriving to Atlanta. 

During this time, Motley met Broderick Thompson Smith, the founder of Music Without Limits, a community-based education, mentoring, and music immersion program for at-risk youth and adolescents. 

At the time, Smith was just starting the program and asked Motley to come on board as a writing teacher. Five years later, she’s the program director for an organization that has at least six centers. 

Motley considers the English Avenue neighborhood as another family for her. She is extremely grateful for the support the community has given her. It’s the reason she jumped at a chance to be a homeowner in this community. 

“Being in a community where everyone makes you feel like family is just a plus,” said Motley.

WFF’s mission to advance a compassionate approach to equitable revitalization is achieved through the support of our philanthropic partners. The organization has launched Our Next Chapter, a capital fundraising campaign to accelerate its ability to create affordable housing for legacy and future residents of the historic Westside and to restore these storied neighborhoods as part of the fabric of Atlanta. Become a part of Our Next Chapter.

Westside Future Fund (WFF) is honored to announce the closing of another home in the historic Westside along the James P. Brawley corridor. Muhammad Fatty recently purchased a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house in the English Avenue neighborhood through Home on the Westside. Fatty is an employee of Spelman College, a revered academic institution located in the Atlanta University Center within the historic Westside footprint. His role at the school perfectly aligns with WFF’s community retention guidelines for its signature affordable housing initiative, Home on the Westside – prioritizing housing for those with live, work and learn connections to the historic Westside.

Now, Fatty is able to call the Westside home, with his place of work just minutes down the road. With the help of WFF and our partners, Collier received $60,000 in down payment assistance from WFF, $25,000 in financial assistance from Invest Atlanta, $20,000 in financial assistance from Atlanta Housing and $15,000 from Federal Loan bank for a grand total of $120,000 in assistance to support making his dream of homeownership a reality. We’re incredibly excited to have him as not only a key part of the Westside’s workforce, but also as a great neighbor to many of our existing Home on the Westside homeowners, renters, and Anti-Displacement Tax Fund recipients. 

Home on the Westside stands as Westside Future Fund’s flagship program, committed to three key service areas to empower residents and foster community stability. These service areas include providing homeownership opportunities for mortgage-ready buyers, ensuring quality multifamily rentals and offering property tax assistance through our Anti-Displacement Tax Fund. Through initiatives like these, we strive to create pathways to economic stability and combat displacement in the neighborhoods we serve.

WFF’s mission to advance a compassionate approach to equitable revitalization is achieved through the support of our philanthropic partners. The organization has launched Our Next Chapter, a capital fundraising campaign to accelerate its ability to create affordable housing for legacy and future residents of the historic Westside and to restore these storied neighborhoods as part of the fabric of Atlanta. Become a part of Our Next Chapter.

The November 15 Transform Westside Summit brought together community leaders, housing advocates and residents to discuss collaborative solutions to affordable housing in Atlanta’s Historic Westside. Under the theme “Building Foundations,” the Summit emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing housing challenges while preserving the character and legacy of the community.

John Ahmann, Westside Future Fund President and CEO, and Ebony Ford, an English Avenue resident, opened the event and welcomed attendees. Tolton Pace, Senior Program Officer for Atlanta’s Westside at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, led the devotion.

The event featured a panel moderated by Derrick Jordan, President, Anothy Development, LLC, Real Estate Contractor and former Board Member for WFF. Panelists highlighted key themes shaping their work, focusing on partnerships, strategic investments and community-centered solutions. Panelists included:

• Rachel Carey, Chief Real Estate Officer, Westside Future Fund
• Candice Jordan, Chief Development Officer, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
• Ashani O’Mard,  Senior Vice President of Strategic Housing Investments, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership
• Amanda Rhein, Executive Director, Atlanta Land Trust

 

Key Themes from the Conversation

Partnerships and Community Impact
“Atlanta is a group project…There’s no way that’s more true than here on the Westside.” Rachel Carey

Collaborative efforts among organizations are driving meaningful change in Atlanta’s housing landscape. These partnerships have collectively enabled the construction, preservation and affordability of hundreds of housing units, ensuring community resilience.

• Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) partners with institutional investors to identify, purchase and rehabilitate single-family homes, bringing them back into the market as affordable housing.
• Westside Future Fund (WFF) collaborates with Quest Communities, Atlanta Housing and other partners to create affordable housing units aligned with community retention guidelines.
• Atlanta Land Trust (ALT) was founded through a coalition led by the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and community developers to preempt displacement and foster neighborhood stability.

Strategic Housing Investments and Partnership Models
“The community land trust model removes land from the speculative real estate market and puts it into community control for community benefit.” Amanda Rhein

Panelists emphasized leveraging innovative tools and financial models to create and preserve affordable housing.

• ANDP scales its impact by acquiring properties from institutional investors at discounted rates, rehabilitating them and reintroducing them as affordable homes or rentals.
• WFF’s Anti-Displacement Tax Fund provides financial support to offset rising property taxes for long-time residents, preserving homeownership and community roots.
• Habitat for Humanity utilizes 0% mortgage programs, reducing housing costs to an average of $700-$800 per month, enabling homeowners to invest in education, business ventures and generational wealth.

Collaborative Approach to Affordable Housing
“Because we’re able to engage volunteers, it helps keep our homes affordable… we save about $40,000 per build, and those savings are passed on to homeowners.” Candice Jordan

The panel showcased how collective action fosters meaningful, measurable outcomes.

• WFF’s goal of creating 1,500 affordable housing units by 2027 reflects the power of coordinated efforts.
• ALT’s land trust model ensures that homes remain permanently affordable, protecting against market volatility.
• Habitat for Humanity and other organizations are embedding anti-displacement principles into development projects, ensuring that affordability benefits communities over the long term.

Addressing Displacement and Long-Term Affordability
“It’s about giving residents a choice to live within the neighborhood they’ve worked in, celebrating and strengthening it for the future.” Ashani O’Mard

Displacement remains a central challenge, especially in rapidly gentrifying areas. Panelists shared strategies to protect vulnerable residents. These approaches not only create affordable housing but also address the root causes of displacement by offering stability and fostering generational wealth.

• ALT focuses on providing affordable homeownership opportunities to legacy residents at risk of being priced out of their neighborhoods.
• ANDP’s wealth studies revealed that homeowners in their program generated an average of $135,000 in equity, offering stability and wealth-building opportunities that renting could not.
• Habitat for Humanity has built or preserved over 150 homes in English Avenue and Vine City, ensuring residents can stay in their communities.

Miss the event? Watch the full Transform Westside Summit on YouTube.

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the facility, with Food Well Alliance overseeing the warehouse and upstairs space, while Westside Future Fund is responsible for maintaining the rest of the building.

Today, 19 nonprofits and local enterprises utilize 970 Jefferson, operating from this revitalized space to collectively contribute to the betterment of the Westside community and beyond, embodying the shared vision that inspired the partnership. We’ve launched a new series, the 970 Partner Spotlight, to highlight each of these incredible organizations and their work. One of these integral partners is Urban Recipe, a long-standing Atlanta nonprofit with an innovative food cooperative model serving families across the metro area.

A Unique Approach to Food Security

Founded in 1991, Urban Recipe operates food cooperatives that are more than just a means of addressing food insecurity — they are a platform for building community and purpose.

“People become active members of their solution to food insecurity,” said Manda Shankel, Director of Development at Urban Recipe. Members participate in sorting and distributing food, creating a sense of ownership and belonging.

Urban Recipe’s 10 food co-ops across Atlanta bring members together to not only share food but also form lasting relationships.

“They celebrate birthdays, mourn losses and help each other with childcare or doctor’s appointments,” said Shankel. These co-ops serve as second families for their members.

Urban Recipe’s Cooperative Pathway Program, launched in 2023, is a testament to its commitment to expanding its impact. The program trains partner organizations to manage their own food cooperatives while Urban Recipe provides logistical support, from supporting launch to procuring and delivering food. This initiative has already led to the establishment of three new co-ops in underserved communities.

Thriving at 970 Jefferson

Urban Recipe’s move to 970 Jefferson in 2020 marked a significant turning point. Transitioning from a church basement to this collaborative nonprofit hub allowed the organization to scale its operations and deepen its impact. The shared refrigeration, freezer and warehouse space have been invaluable for Urban Recipe’s programs, particularly during the pandemic, when the organization launched a mobile pantry to reach those unable to attend co-op meetings.

Being part of the 970 Jefferson community has also facilitated partnerships with like-minded organizations. For example, Urban Recipe collaborates with Second Helpings and Food Well Alliance, both based at 970 Jefferson, to secure and distribute fresh produce.

“The natural overlaps and conversations in this shared space often lead to greater efficiencies and strategic collaborations,” said Shankel.

Serving the Historic Westside

Urban Recipe is deeply embedded in the Historic Westside community, with two of its food co-ops operating directly from the 970 Jefferson warehouse. These co-ops serve approximately 80 families, distributing over 124,000 pounds of food last year — a meal value exceeding $500,000. This support not only alleviates food insecurity but also frees up resources for families to invest in housing, transportation, and other essential needs. 

As Urban Recipe continues to expand its Cooperative Pathway Program and strengthen its community-based model, its presence at 970 Jefferson remains pivotal.

“Being in this collaborative space connects us to new opportunities and partnerships, amplifying the impact of our work,” said Shankel.

 Urban Recipe’s innovative approach and its role at 970 Jefferson illustrate the power of community-driven solutions to address food insecurity. Learn more about Urban Recipe and the collaborative efforts at 970 Jefferson at 970Jefferson.org.

Westside Future Fund (WFF) is proud to celebrate another member of our community finding a home on the Westside. Earlier this month, Rodrick Collier purchased a home in the English Avenue neighborhood. Serving the very community where he now lives, Collier previously worked at the fire station that protects English Avenue and Vine City, perfectly aligning with WFF’s community retention guidelines for its signature affordable housing initiative, Home on the Westside. HOTW prioritizes housing for those with live, work, and learn connections to the historic Westside.

For Collier, owning a home on the Westside holds special meaning. After years of protecting families and homes in the community, he now owns one himself. His new four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is the perfect match for him and his son. With the help of WFF and our partners, Collier received $60,000 in down payment assistance and $10,000 in financial assistance from WFF, plus $20,000 in financial assistance from Invest Atlanta, to support making his dream a reality. Now, he can look forward to building a future in the neighborhood he knows so well.

Home on the Westside stands as Westside Future Fund’s flagship program, committed to three key service areas to empower residents and foster community stability. These service areas include providing homeownership opportunities for mortgage-ready buyers, ensuring quality multifamily rentals, and offering property tax assistance through our Anti-Displacement Tax Fund. Through initiatives like these, we strive to create pathways to economic stability and combat displacement in the neighborhoods we serve.

WFF’s mission to advance a compassionate approach to equitable revitalization is achieved through the support of our philanthropic partners. The organization has launched Our Next Chapter, a capital fundraising campaign to accelerate its ability to create affordable housing for legacy and future residents of the historic Westside and to restore these storied neighborhoods as part of the fabric of Atlanta. Become a part of Our Next Chapter.

This October, Westside Future Fund (WFF) acquired the historic English Avenue Carnegie Library, located along Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Originally opened in July 1922, the library was built at a cost of $23,000, funded by Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. Situated next to English Avenue School—then the largest school in the city, serving over 1,200 students—the library quickly became a vital community resource.

According to Archive Atlanta, just four months after its opening, the library had registered 700 borrowers and lent out over 4,000 books. Its first story-time event, held in October 1922, attracted 215 neighborhood children.

In later years, the building housed a taxi stand, and due to large amounts of cash being handled, the windows were fortified for security.

Today, WFF plans to preserve this historic landmark, with a vision of transforming it into office space. Located at a key intersection, this revitalization effort will not only restore the building’s legacy but also create workspaces for local businesses, fostering deeper connections with the community and offering easy access for residents and employees alike. The restoration will be supported by partners eightvillage and oaksATL.

This acquisition is part of WFF’s broader commitment to preserving the Westside’s historic structures. It adds to a growing portfolio that includes 220 Sunset, the former home of Mayor Maynard Jackson’s family, and the Yellow Store, once a bustling mixed-use hub in English Avenue.

The acquisition of the English Avenue Carnegie Library marks another significant step in WFF’s ongoing mission to honor and preserve the past while investing in the future of Atlanta’s historic Westside. By restoring these landmarks and repurposing them for modern use, WFF is celebrating the community’s rich history while driving economic opportunity and revitalization.

WFF’s mission to advance a compassionate approach to equitable revitalization is achieved through the support of our philanthropic partners. The organization has launched Our Next Chapter, a capital fundraising campaign to accelerate its ability to create affordable housing for legacy and future residents of the historic Westside and to restore these storied neighborhoods as part of the fabric of Atlanta.

Learn more about Our Next Chapter today.

The October 18 Transform Westside Summit brought together a diverse group of attendees—business and faith leaders, community members and Westside residents—all committed to the shared mission of strengthening the Westside through meaningful service and support. John Ahmann, Westside Future Fund President and CEO, and  Ebony Ford, a proud resident of English Avenue, welcomed attendees and Dr. Alix Pierre, a Senior Lecturer at Spelman College and homeowner through the Home on the Westside program, led the devotion.

The event featured a panel discussion, moderated by John Ahmann. Panelists included Reverend Kenneth Alexander, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church North, and Reverend Terry Hightower, Executive Director of Antioch Urban Ministries. The discussion highlighted the longstanding commitment of Antioch Baptist Church North and Antioch Urban Ministries in supporting Atlanta’s Westside neighborhoods through faith-driven services, emphasizing their missions to assist and uplift underserved community members.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

Faith as a Catalyst for Community Empowerment

Speakers highlighted how faith, when translated into action, becomes a powerful force for positive change. By focusing on service, they strive to uplift individuals and communities alike, embodying a faith-driven commitment to support one another.

Collaboration and Building Sustainable Support Networks

Both leaders stressed the importance of collaborating with other community organizations and stakeholders, which enables them to provide holistic support and address complex community challenges. Effective community support relies on sustainable, adaptable systems that can meet changing needs. The panelists shared frameworks for establishing and growing support networks that last, fostering resilience and unity in the face of challenges.

Commitment to Long-Term Solutions

The Summit reinforced the idea that faith, when combined with action, can help communities build resilience, offering support and resources that promote unity and hope for the future. Through a range of programs, Antioch Baptist Church North and Antioch Urban Ministries focus on sustainable impact, including homelessness support, addiction recovery and youth programs, all aimed at fostering long-term empowerment.

The Ripple Effect of Small Actions
From volunteers to community leaders, each person’s effort contributes to a larger impact. Small, intentional acts of service can create a ripple effect, inspiring others and building stronger networks of support and care. Attendees were challenged to carry the day’s lessons forward and commit to acts of service in their own communities. 

Miss the event? Watch the full Transform Westside Summit on YouTube.

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the facility, with Food Well Alliance overseeing the warehouse and upstairs space, while Westside Future Fund is responsible for maintaining the rest of the building.

Today, 19 nonprofits and local enterprises utilize 970 Jefferson, operating from this revitalized space to collectively contribute to the betterment of the Westside community and beyond, embodying the shared vision that inspired the partnership. We’ve launched a new series, the 970 Partner Spotlight, to highlight each of these incredible organizations and their work. One of these integral partners is Food Well Alliance, a nonprofit focused on empowering local growers and building healthy food systems.

A Mission Rooted in Local Food and Community

Healthy food is the foundation of healthy communities, and Food Well Alliance understands this deeply. The organization is dedicated to empowering growers at urban farms, community gardens and orchards across metro Atlanta by providing essential resources and support to help them thrive, according to Kate Conner, the organization’s executive director. 

“We’re all about getting as much locally grown food out to communities as possible,” said Conner.

This mission is realized through their support of over 300 growing spaces since 2015, including local farms, community gardens, and orchards. 

“We serve five counties—Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Clayton—and we provide everything from compost delivery to small grants,” said Conner.

Food Well Alliance’s efforts are also deeply hands-on, offering labor support to help build greenhouses, repair garden beds, and more. Last year alone, they provided nearly $900,000 in direct support to growing spaces, contributing to their mission of connecting communities through food.

A Growing Impact

Since its founding in 2015, Food Well Alliance has invested over $7 million in the local food movement. This support has resulted in the planting of over 90 orchards and countless gardens across Metro Atlanta. One of the most exciting projects on the horizon is their Orchard Project, which aims to plant 15 orchards per year. This initiative, in partnership with organizations like The Giving Grove and the Atlanta Regional Commission, ensures that fresh, locally grown fruit will be available for generations to come.

Conner shared that West Atlanta, particularly the Westside, is a significant focus for the organization.

“West Atlanta has one of the highest densities of community gardens and urban farms,” said Conner.

This area has become an anchor for the urban farming movement in the city, with a rich history of communities making the most of available space to grow food and foster connection.

Collaboration at 970 Jefferson

Food Well Alliance’s partnership within the 970 Jefferson building has been pivotal. Located in a space formerly occupied by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the building has a long history of serving the community. 

“When we launched 970, the commitment was to bring together organizations that were doing important work in the community, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said Conner.

Being part of a shared hub of like-minded nonprofits has allowed for invaluable collaboration. 

“We share everything from tools and equipment to ideas and resources,” said Conner.

The organization often collaborates with partners like Urban Recipe, another nonprofit based at 970 Jefferson, to ensure fresh produce reaches families in need. The proximity of organizations working toward common goals has made the space a hub of innovation and impact in the community.

For Food Well Alliance, being part of 970 Jefferson is more than just sharing a workspace—it’s about fostering connections that amplify each organization’s ability to serve.

“It’s the natural overlaps and conversations, sometimes while making a cup of coffee, that lead to greater efficiencies and strategic collaborations,” said Conner. 

Looking Ahead

Food Well Alliance has some exciting projects on the horizon, with Conner highlighting the importance of continuing to grow the Orchard Project and expand their City Agriculture Planning Program, which helps cities develop comprehensive plans for urban agriculture. This program connects metro Atlanta municipalities with growers, residents, and leaders in their communities. Each year a new city is selected to partner with Food Well and the Atlanta Regional Commission to develop a plan. Food Well provides a $75,000 grant for implementation, ensuring that cities can launch initiatives like community composting and expanded farmers markets. Food Well has developed plans in four cities: East Point, Alpharetta, Jonesboro, and Austell. Applications for the fifth city will be accepted through November 22. The new city partner will be announced in January. Learn more at https://www.foodwellalliance.org/city-agriculture-planning.

As Food Well Alliance continues to plant seeds across Atlanta, their commitment to creating healthy, connected communities remains steadfast. Their work at 970 Jefferson is a powerful example of how collaboration and shared resources can drive meaningful change.

Learn more about how 970 Jefferson is bringing together a collaborative community of service at 970Jefferson.org