About Atlanta Children’s Foundation

THE Village

Atlanta Children’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with an enduring mission to connect individuals, organizations, and resources to meet the needs of children in foster care. It serves these children through several initiatives, including THE Village, the Crisis Card program, and YE Village.

THE Village is a licensed Child Caring Institution (CCI) that provides room, board and watchful oversight in a residential camp setting. Our therapeutic model is designed to improve the emotional and behavioral outcomes associated with children in foster care. The use of residential camping and experiential learning are designed to improve the character and functioning of children in need of out-of-home placement, teaching them pro-social and adaptive skills.

Our immediate goal is to develop and expand our experiential learning community by partnering with Youth Entrepreneurs (YE) to connect foster youth throughout the Southeastern U.S. The program will be called YE Village. Structured as a youth cooperative, this entrepreneurial program will afford both foster and displaced children an opportunity to join together to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs. The program is based upon the principles of empowerment, education, and community.

Our History

  • 2001

    1

    Atlanta Children’s Foundation Formed

    Kevin and Robert Willis form Atlanta Children’s Foundation (ACF) to improve and support positive outcomes for children in foster care.

  • 2003

    2

    THE Village Founded

    Atlanta Children’s Foundation creates a service-delivery platform with assistance from the University of Georgia, naming it “THE Village.”

  • 2007

    3

    THE Village Opens

    THE Village hosts its first therapeutic residential summer camp for foster children 6 to 12 years of age.

  • 2016

    4

    Year-round residential services developed

    Develops year-round residential services for foster youth 12 to 21 years of age; sponsored in part by the Atlanta Hawks and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

  • 2017

    5

    Crisis Card Launched

    In partnership with American Express and the National Basketball Association (NBA), ACF launches the Crisis Card; a program that provides foster youth (18-21 years of age) with emergency access to finances needed for food, clothing, and shelter.

  • 2018

    6

    Additional 100 Acres Acquired

    Acquisition of adjacent property (100 acres) to THE Village. The site will be developed into an Intergenerational Community, with the goal of providing foster youth (18+) with experiential learning and employment opportunities in the delivery of services to the 65+ senior community.

  • 2019

    7

    Secured Entrepreneurial Curriculum

    Partners with Youth Entrepreneurs (YE) and Tarkenton Companies to secure entrepreneurial curriculum (YE) and support (Tarkenton). Curriculum is integrated into North Georgia Technical College programming and delivered to foster youth living at THE Village.

  • 2020

    8

    Young Entrepreneur Cooperative

    In partnership with YE and Tarkenton Companies, ACF sets out to develop the YE Cooperative; programming and support to “bring business to life” through entrepreneurship.