Wellroot Family Services surpassed its fundraising goal April 23 at its annual This Is Home Gala, raising $432,000 to support programs for foster youth and families in crisis across Georgia. The milestone event, held at Flourish Atlanta, drew community and corporate leaders together for an evening of storytelling, celebration, and impact, capping a year that also marks Wellroot’s 155th anniversary.

Since 1871, Wellroot has provided safe homes and vital services for Georgia’s most vulnerable children and families. Last night’s event honored that legacy while looking ahead to the work still to be done. With nearly 11,000 children in care across the state, the need has never been greater.

“This anniversary is a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come and to recommit to the work ahead,” said Allison Ashe, President and CEO of Wellroot Family Services. “Every dollar raised goes directly to giving children and families the stability, support, and hope they deserve. Nights like this bring our vision of a world where every child is raised in a loving, compassionate, and nurturing home one step closer to reality.”

Alana’s Story: From Homeless to Building a Future

A highlight of the evening was a video feature on Alana, a current participant in Wellroot’s Independent Living Program. Just one year ago, Alana was homeless, living in a motel after aging out of foster care with little support and an uncertain path forward.

Through Wellroot, Alana found housing, a life coach, and a direction she hadn’t yet imagined for herself. With her coach’s support, she discovered a passion for automotive work and is now enrolled in college to earn an engineering degree in engine and transmission building, while working in the automotive field at the same time.

“The people here at Wellroot are here for your success,” Alana said in the video. “You feel very happy and loved and cared for. It breaks the cycle.”

Amariah’s Remarks: “Your Support Builds Futures”

The program portion of the evening featured live remarks from Amariah, 19, a current program resident enrolled at Shears Beauty Institute pursuing certification as a master cosmetologist. Amariah entered foster care at 16 and described a childhood marked by housing instability and uncertainty, a life focused on surviving rather than planning.

She credited Wellroot with giving her not only practical skills including budgeting, housing navigation, and career readiness, but something more fundamental: the confidence to believe in her own future.

“Programs like this matter because foster youth don’t just need a roof over our head. We need guidance, support, and people who believe in us even when we’re still learning to believe in ourselves,” Amariah told the audience. “Your support doesn’t just change lives. It builds futures. And I’m standing here tonight as proof of that.”

Wellroot’s programs equip young adults aging out of foster care with the practical and emotional tools needed to navigate adulthood, from budgeting and housing to education and career readiness. The programs fill a critical gap for youth who reach age 18 without a safety net or support network.

Fueled by an evening of powerful storytelling and the generosity of Wellroot’s supporters, the gala raised $432,000, surpassing its goal. Proceeds directly support Wellroot’s programs, including foster care, family resiliency counseling, kinship care, transitional and independent living services, behavioral health, and family housing.