Three-Year Investment Will Support Mental Health Services at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Locations
CHRIS 180 has received a $300,000 grant from The Rich’s Foundation to provide mental health services for children and youth served through Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), as well as trauma-informed training for BGCMA staff.
The three-year investment will support the delivery of CHRIS 180 mental health services within BGCMA’s 26 locations. The funding will help place licensed therapists directly in Club locations to provide access to mental health services to ensure youth receive care in trusted community settings where they already learn, grow and connect. The grant will also support trauma-informed training for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta staff, equipping Club teams with tools to recognize the signs of trauma, respond with care and compassion, and better support youth in their daily interactions.
“This grant underscores the power of organizational collaboration,” said Kristin Hathaway Hansen, Program Director of The Rich’s Foundation. “For decades, The Rich’s Foundation has been part of Atlanta’s story, and we have been committed to investing in collaborative, community-based solutions that support youth and strengthen Atlanta families. This new program addresses a real need in our community and offers an opportunity to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of local families.”
By supporting the partnership between CHRIS 180 and BGCMA, The Rich’s Foundation is helping these two mission-driven organizations leverage their strengths, expand their reach and create greater impact together.
“The Rich’s Foundation has been a valued partner of CHRIS 180 for more than 15 years, and this investment reflects the power of sustained collaboration in meeting the needs of children, youth and families,” said Cati Diamond Stone, J.D., President and CEO of CHRIS 180. “Deepening our impact through strategic partnerships is a key priority for CHRIS 180, and this grant allows us to work alongside The Rich’s Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta to expand access to trauma-informed mental health services and supportive resources for young people where they already feel safe, connected and supported.”
By bringing mental health services directly to youth where they are, the partnership helps remove barriers to care and creates a more accessible pathway to mental health support.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is committed to creating safe and supportive spaces where young people can learn, grow and build bright futures,” said Libby Saylor Wright, President and CEO of BGCMA. “Mental well-being is an essential part of that work. Through this partnership, we can help ensure more youth have access to care in a place where they already feel connected and supported.”
The program is expected to launch in Fall 2026 at 2 BGCMA locations.
About CHRIS 180
CHRIS 180 helps children, youth, adults, and families across metro Atlanta move forward, find stability, and build what comes next. We support our community in three key ways: mental health, foster care and adoption, and support for young people facing homelessness. Since 1981, we have served more than 250,000 neighbors, powered by a 200+ person team. Find support, get involved and learn more at CHRIS180.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
For more than 85 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. Through 26 Clubs across nine metro Atlanta counties, BGCMA serves more than 8,000 youth ages 6–18 each year with programs during critical out-of-school hours that support academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development. Learn more at www.bgcma.org or follow BGCMA on social media: X (@BGCMAATL), Facebook (BGCMA), LinkedIn (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta), Instagram (@BGCMA), and TikTok (@BGCMATL).
About The Rich’s Foundation
Founded in 1943, The Rich’s Foundation carries forward the legacy of Atlanta’s historic Rich’s Department Store by investing in nonprofit organizations that strengthen the region and improve quality of life. The Foundation supports regional nonprofits working in areas including health, education, human services, arts and culture and programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
