Jonesboro, Ga. (November 19, 2015) – The Heritage Community Foundation presented a grant to Becky Davenport, Executive Director of Bloom, and Jack Middleton, Board President of Bloom, on November 5, 2015. The grant was given in two parts: 1) the Foundation presented Bloom with a $900 cash grant that they will use to help cover the costs of “Project Welcome Home”, a program through which Bloom provides casserole dinners to foster families on the first night of new placement of one or more foster children into their homes; and 2) the Foundation purchased two fireproof storage cabinets for Bloom. The cabinets were much-needed as the state requires Bloom to use these fireproof cabinets for the storage of confidential and critical records of the foster children they serve.
The organization was founded in 1989 when a group of Fayette County citizens started a grass roots effort to shelter children in need of a safe place to live. Bloom connects caring adults with at-risk children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect as well as pregnant and teenage parents. Bloom foster parents provide physical, educational and emotional support in order to strengthen these children for the next phase of life. In addition to its foster care program, Bloom also operates a resource center known as The Bloom Closet which provides free clothing and other supplies to children placed in out-of-home care on the south side of metro Atlanta. In 2014, Bloom served over 1,000 foster children who visited the closet an average of three times per year. Bloom also operates a third program, a residential group home known as the Friday-Johnson Home, which is located in south Fayette County in Brooks, GA. At the Friday-Johnson Home, up to ten school-age children receive comprehensive services such as medical care, dental care, psychiatric services and recreational activities in a loving, homelike environment.
For more information on how to apply for a grant with Heritage Community Foundation, make a donation or volunteer, please visit www.heritagecommunityfoundation.org. You may also contact Rocky Davis, Executive Director, at 770-478-8881.
Heritage Community Foundation (HCF) is a 501c3 organization which provides funding to local nonprofit organizations in Clayton, Henry and Fayette counties. HCF is designed to support Heritage Bank’s first mission, “Committed to those we serve.” The bank absorbs all of the operating costs of the foundation, so 100% of the funds raised go directly to meet community needs.
Heritage Bank, a state chartered commercial bank, has been serving metro Atlanta’s Southern Crescent since 1955. The independent community bank has six full-service offices, features a well-rounded offering of commercial and consumer products, and is an active, involved member of the community it serves. The company’s stock is traded under the symbol “CCFH”.
Front left to right: Jack Middleton, Board President Bloom; Becky Davenport, Executive Director Bloom; Sheri Dockweiler. Back left to right: Jenny Smith; Rochelle Hehir
