Heart To Nourish Hope

Hearts to Nourish Hope is a community-driven nonprofit that provides high quality programs to identify and develop the internal resources of youth aged 16-24 in Clayton, Fayette and Gwinnett Counties. Like all grassroots non-profits, we grew from a very simple idea – if youth were provided constructive activities to do when they were suspended or expelled, they would be less likely to engage in dangerous, illegal and risky behavior. Bringing together the school system and the juvenile court, Deborah Anglin began a once-a-week Suspension Center where suspended and expelled youth could participate in art, music, theater, martial arts and tutoring. For most of these students, Hearts to Nourish Hope was their only positive outlet.

In order to help break the cycle of poverty, we are building our capacity to offer certification classes to young adults. Currently, we partner with Golden Age Healthcare Training to bring the community low-cost Certified Nursing Assistant classes. Hearts partner with Clayton State University Continuing Education Program to offer Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Certification Classes.

Based on feedback from parents and families engaged in our programs, Hearts to Nourish Hope now offers a free Guiding Good Choices parenting class to the community. The class is open to any parent with a child aged 9 – 13 and covers research-based techniques on helping your child deal with peer pressure and avoid drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

H.U.S.T.L.E (Helping Urban-youth Succeed Through Legitimate Entrepreneurship) The HUSTLE began in 2011 as a break out group from the traditional Summer Internship Program. This program teaches young adults how to use their skills to make money through legitimate means. Drawing on the word hustle, which many teens associate with illegal activity, the program teaches youth to develop their own business plan and generate their own revenue. Participants with the best business plans are awarded small start-up grants.

L.E.A.D. (Life Skills, Education And Development) This program, intended for youth 16-21 who are not enrolled in traditional school. This program offers GED preparation classes as well as safe dating, drug and alcohol abuse awareness, group counseling, career and drug awareness support. Students in L.E.A.D are expected to come to class dressed professionally on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students also participate in service learning and community projects.