Atlanta civic and corporate leaders champion progress during sold-out Heroes for Hope gala, raising record-breaking $800,000
Atlanta is energized and determined to end the longstanding homelessness crisis in our communities. That much was evident on October 9th, when prominent local leaders, advocates, and change-makers gathered during a sold-out Heroes for Hope gala, our organization’s most successful fundraising event ever.
The annual event recognizes local “Heroes” making strides to prevent and end homelessness, this year honoring Mayor Andre Dickens (Individual Hero), QuikTrip (Corporate Hero) accepted by President Kevin Thornton, and, for the first time, a Volunteer Hero — Cheryl Naja. (Read more about this year’s honorees, organizers, and sponsors here).
It was an evening full of rousing speeches, surprises, and inspiring moments, culminating in a record-breaking $800,000 in total donations!
Among the other highlights:
- During his acceptance speech, Mayor Andre Dickens announced that the City of Atlanta is contributing $1M to Hope Atlanta’s capacity campaign supporting the growth of our behavioral health program.
- The Home Depot Foundation, one of this year’s Guardian sponsors, contributed an additional $25,000 matching gift during the evening.
- Atlanta Gas Light (another Guardian sponsor and last year’s Corporate Hero honoree) followed with a $20,000 matching gift!
In an emotional moment, Hope Atlanta client Ms. Barry bravely took the stage to share her story as a mother and Veteran who went from living in a shelter to finding a home, gaining full-time employment, and looking forward to a Hopeful future. Attendees also saw a video where former client Ms. Carter shared her story of fleeing an abusive marriage and enduring two and a half years of homelessness with her children, even living in their car for four months. Today, she and her children are stably housed in a refurbished condo and off to a fresh start.
Thanks to our generous community, many more individuals and families have transitioned from survival to self-sufficiency. Last year, Hope Atlanta assisted 6,223 people experiencing homelessness; 1,496 are now permanently housed. We want to thank all of this year’s Heroes for Hope supporters, our corporate partners, and individual donors for your dedication to transforming lives and communities.
This year’s Heroes for Hope continues the growing momentum in the fight to prevent and end homelessness. Hope Atlanta is already gearing up for next year’s event, which marks our organization’s 125th anniversary! Save the date for an extra-special event on October 9th, 2025.
Together, we will make the next chapter one for the history books.
About Hope Atlanta
As Georgia’s longest-standing nonprofit organization committed to assisting people experiencing homelessness, we’ve seen our community through trying times since 1900.
More than a century later, homelessness remains a humanitarian crisis perpetuated by systemic inequality that leaves countless neighbors one unexpected expense away from the streets. We remain a steadfast support system for those who may otherwise be overlooked, relieving them from the constant threat of homelessness and paving the way to self-sufficiency.
Learn more: hopeatlanta.org
