Dozens of young adults who aged out of Georgia’s foster care system gathered Thursday night at Jackson Healthcare’s Alpharetta campus for the inaugural Fostering Thanksgiving, a dinner that offered many their first-ever holiday celebration.

Hosted by Fostering Success Act, Inc. (FSA) and Jackson Healthcare, the event featured a traditional Thanksgiving meal served by volunteers, donors and mentors. Attendees were joined by life coaches who continue to guide them as they transition into adulthood and pursue education or apprenticeships through Georgia’s new tax credit program.

“This Thanksgiving meal was a first for so many of these youth who don’t know what it means to have such a joyful, thankful celebration with encouraging people surrounding them,” said Heidi Carr, executive director of FSA. “We are grateful to have this opportunity to enrich their lives.”

Richard L. Jackson, CEO of Jackson Healthcare and a former foster youth, addressed the group, encouraging them to pursue education and career opportunities now possible with the new $20 million state tax credit. Jackson also serves as chairman of FSA.

One former foster youth, now enrolled in at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), said: “I never thought I would have a Thanksgiving like this. To sit at a table and feel surrounded by so many people who care – it means more to us than we can put into words,” said Eryka McNulty, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design. “To sit at a table, and eat a real holiday meal with people who care enough to make sure we have a future makes me so very grateful to everyone who made it possible.”

FSA reported a 350 percent increase in youth served this year, supporting about 384 students — including 200 enrolled in two-year programs, 151 in four-year programs, and others pursuing GEDs or apprenticeships. The organization raises funds through Georgia’s $20 million foster care tax credit program, which covers tuition, housing, food, transportation and other expenses for the former foster youth.

Georgia taxpayers can still make a difference in the lives of these young adults before year-end by contributing to FSA through the state’s dollar-for-dollar tax credit program. Donations reduce state income taxes while directly funding education and support for foster youth. 

To start the process, go to: https://fosteringsuccessact.org/apply-now/

For more information on Fostering Success Act, Inc. go to: https://fosteringsuccessact.org/

About Fostering Success, Inc.

Fostering Success is a 501c3 Georgia non-profit devoted to assisting foster care youth that have aged out of the Georgia foster care system. It helps state individual and corporate taxpayers get approval from the state Department of Revenue for their tax credit donation to Fostering Success. It then distributes funds to approved non-profits that provide support services to youth that have aged out of foster care. Services include but are not limited to tuition for accredited education programs, books and computers, transportation funds, food, rent assistance, medical care assistance, mentors and other items.

For more information on Fostering Thanksgiving contact: Susan L. Meyers at Oak Grove Communications 404-518-2271 or [email protected]