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Celebrating 155 years of caring for Georgia’s children, Wellroot Family Services hosted its This Is Home Annual Gala on April 23, and the community responded with more than $432,000 in support to carry the mission forward.
Held at Flourish Atlanta, the night brought together donors, sponsors, foster families, community leaders, and ministry partners to celebrate Wellroot’s mission and all that home represents — providing foster homes for children in need, resources for families in crisis, and, most importantly, the feeling of belonging and being loved.
The evening was made possible by co-chairs Tamaron Houston, partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, and Jenny Wilkirson, director at Regent Partners LLC, whose dedication and care shaped every detail, a committed host committee, and the generosity of presenting sponsors Liz and Frank Blake and The Liz Blake Giving Fund.
The event’s purpose was brought to life in a powerful way when Amariah, 19, stepped to the podium and shared her story with quiet courage.
Growing up, Amariah never knew where she would sleep or when her next meal was coming. She entered foster care at 16, and life before that was defined not by plans for the future, but by the daily work of surviving. When she met her foster parents, everything shifted. For the first time, she felt the steadiness of a stable home — and the unconditional love that foster families across Georgia offer children every single day.
Now enrolled at Shearz Institute and working toward her certification as a master cosmetologist, Amariah stood before a room full of supporters and spoke about how far she has come.
“When I met my foster parents, it felt like the first time I could breathe,” Amariah said. “They gave me something I was not used to — security and clarity. They showed me what a stable home feels like, what support looks like, and what it means to have parents who truly care about you.”
Then she joined Wellroot’s Independent Living Program, and that is when she began building a future rather than just surviving one. She shared how she learned to budget, navigate housing, set goals, and advocate for herself. More than practical skills, though, Amariah spoke about how working with the Wellroot staff and participating in the classes gave her something she had not always had: confidence.
“Programs like this matter because foster youth don’t just need a roof over our head,” Amariah told the audience. “We need guidance, support and people who believe in us even when we’re still learning to believe in ourselves. Your support doesn’t just change lives. It builds futures. And I’m standing here tonight as proof of that.”
Her words were a living testimony to what Wellroot’s community makes possible every day, and a reminder of why presenting sponsors Liz and Frank Blake and The Liz Blake Giving Fund chose to invest in this mission.
Guests also heard from Alana, a current Independent Living Program participant, through a video feature. Just one year ago, Alana was homeless after aging out of foster care with no support system in place. Through Wellroot, she found housing, a life coach and a direction she had not imagined for herself. Today she is enrolled in college to pursue an engineering degree in engine and transmission building while working in the automotive field.
“The people here at Wellroot are here for your success,” Alana said. “You feel very happy and loved and cared for. It breaks the cycle.”
The evening was opened in prayer by Bishop Robin Dease of the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, grounding the night in the faith and purpose that have guided Wellroot for 155 years. Board chair Brad MacAfee closed the program with remarks that reflected on the legacy of the evening and the work ahead.
The spirit of faith and commitment carried through to the congregations who showed up in force. Wellroot is grateful to recognize its top five giving churches: Dunwoody United Methodist Church, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Northside United Methodist Church, St. James United Methodist Church Atlanta, and Johns Creek United Methodist Church.
155 Years. One Mission.
Since 1871, Wellroot has offered children and families a place to belong. That legacy lives in every home visit, every therapy session and every young adult who walks across a stage or lands a first apartment because someone believed in them. Today, Wellroot serves more than 3,000 individuals each year across Georgia — with a vision to reach more than 11,000 as the organization grows.
The funds raised at this gala go directly toward those moments: foster care, family resiliency counseling, transitional and independent living services, behavioral health, and family housing.
To the foster families who open their homes, the volunteers who give their time, the sponsors who invest in the mission and every guest who showed up on April 23: thank you. You are the reason hope takes root.
Learn more about how Wellroot is cultivating potential across Georgia at wellroot.org.
Thank You to our 2026 Sponsors!
