A Day of Celebration, FamFest 2022
“I’ve always felt supported by Wellroot’s staff, but today was so much more meaningful. You get the sense that we are all doing something good together. I no longer feel alone.”
On Saturday, June 11th, Wellroot hosted its 6th FamFest at Six Flags Over Georgia in honor of the children, youth, and families we serve. It was a special day for over 450 guests. The families had a blast in the pavilion as the children enjoyed face painting, tattoos, photo booth, sweets station, lunch with ice cream, and a live DJ who led the dance competition. “We loved the free face painting and hearing the kids laugh as they rode all the rides” shared one parent. Another family said their highlight was “watching the girls feel special and enjoying the day.”
Ashley Blocker, Director of Foster Care, looks forward every year to FamFest for her families, “It is a great way to celebrate them and all their hard work and dedication. FamFest is more than a fun day. It is a day of celebration for continuing the journey. A day when clients can fellowship with one another and interact in a positive way.”
This year we celebrated the champions that each one of our children, youth and families truly are. We gathered together as a community to celebrate our children, youth, and families growing stronger together, adoptions, reunifications, first homes, graduations, and more. “Being a part of the beautiful Wellroot family I’ve always felt supported by Wellroot’s staff, but today was so much more meaningful. You get the sense that we are all doing something good together. I no longer feel alone” said one Wellroot foster parent.
We are proud to share some of the champion moments that we celebrated at FamFest:
- “We bought a bigger house, which allows us to have a bigger family.”
- “Being able to have my own home, place of dwelling, after 4 years. To God be the glory!”
- “I turned 2 F’s and a couple of C’s into A’s and B’s.”
- “Got to fly on an airplane for the 1st time, and got my 1st wings and got to go into the cockpit.”
- “Coming out of Wellroot, bought my 1st home!”
- “Enrolled into college and got accepted.”
- “Baby James has gained 11 pounds.”
- “Finally moving into they type of home I want.”
For the teens in Wellroot’s residential Transitional Living Program, this was a day of thrills, firsts and bonding with others in the program. Shaqualm McCoy, Residential Support Coordinator, led the teens throughout the park. There were some daredevils who rode every ride and others who made a pact to try a ride only together. “If I wasn’t with you all, I would have never stepped out of my comfort zone. I’m happy about that,” said one resident.
We can’t wait for next year’s FamFest as the Wellroot family tradition continues.
FamFest was made possible by generous support from PolyTech, Cigna, Main Site LLC, Atlanta Spa & Leisure, the United Methodist Connectional Federal Credit Union, Cathy Hays, Gateway Printing, Realty Associates of Atlanta, and the Roush Family.
