Blog
A Milestone of Service
On June 8, 1981, a new nonprofit organization named Georgia CHARLEE opened its doors to fill gaps in the foster care system. Georgia CHARLEE – now known as CHRIS 180 – was organized by a purpose-driven group of women from The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. (JLA), who...
Bringing a Mother’s Love to Children in Foster Care
Valancia Abdullah considers it her calling to care for youth who some may think of as “challenged.” After working with special needs students at Atlanta Public Schools, in 2000, she joined CHRIS 180’s foster care program. She serves as a Resident Assistant. The kids...
Statement from Our President & CEO
We stand with our Asian American colleagues, partners, clients and all affected in the wake of the horrific mass shootings in Atlanta and Acworth. This act of terrorism has produced additional anxiety and unease in the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community,...
A voice for the silent victims
Did you know that children are now seen as the silent victims of the opioid epidemic? CHRIS 180’s HERO Program (Helping Restore Children and Families Affected by the Opioid Epidemic), was created to provide direct services, psychoeducational training and a community...
Not just a month: honoring Black pioneers in mental health
The beginning of the year is full of traditions, even during a pandemic. From New Year’s Day, the MLK Holiday Weekend, and just a few weeks later, February kicks off a month-long celebration honoring Black History. The commemoration allows us to pause, acknowledge and...
Giving back from home: Serving with CHRIS 180 virtually
I closed my laptop at 5:00 p.m. on a Friday and did my now very familiar quarantine routine of moving from my makeshift desk at the kitchen table to the couch in the living room. I scrolled through Netflix (and Hulu, HBO & Amazon) before finally just putting on...
CHRIS 180 Announces New Addition to Board of Directors
Nonprofit celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2021 CHRIS 180 is pleased to announce the addition of seven new members to its board of directors, who will serve over the coming years. They include Lori Chennault, Senior Vice President & Sourcing Officer,...
Goodbye 2020 – Welcome 2021
Over and over I’ve heard people remark that they were so ready for 2020 to be over. And with the start of the new year, we are all looking forward to a better 2021 - a new beginning, a path to recovery. At the same time, there just might be some things that we...
Present Moments
‘Tis the season to pause and reflect on the past year as a new one approaches, and oh what a year it has been! 2020 started off as a promising new decade, with exciting goals, dreams and resolutions. But as we all know, a few months into it, all our hopes and plans...
Celebrating during a painful holiday
Are you facing a pain filled holiday because someone you love has died? It is hard to get into the holiday spirit when your heart is breaking and your life is different because of a death. It is easy to want to wish away the last 16 days of this horrible year....
Holiday Wish Lists for CHRIS 180 Youth and Families
Wish List for Toys and Presents We offer parents in our community the opportunity to shop for presents for their children. Often during the holidays, parents stress about how they will provide a special experience for their kids while also keeping up with the normal...
Steering Through Vicarious Trauma
“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it, is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.” Rachel Naomi Remen Screeching tires. Smell of burnt rubber. Windows breaking and metal...
Cultivating Friendships
Since early spring, many of us feel disconnected from our friends and family because we have been unable to spend time with them. And while it is important for us to practice social distancing, the price is high when it comes to the connection many of us crave. This...
Finding a Sense of Control Amidst the Uncontrollable
If this year has taught me anything, it is that there is a lot of stuff I cannot change. That realization has brought on frequent feelings of powerlessness, helplessness and frustration. It has also sometimes brought about anger, sadness and a downright desire to just...
Recognizing the Need and Ways to Help
“A child is not looking for a perfect parent, but to feel loved and understood. We are blessed to be a step along the journey in the growth of a new family” -Emily Thompson, VP of Community Programs CHRIS 180 Happy National Adoption Month! While the month of November...
Taking Care of Yourself to Take Care of Others
Many women can often feel like we have the world on our shoulders. We often carry not only our stress but the stress of our loved ones and those closest to us. Often, women can feel isolated, unsupported, and even depressed because of various challenges. Over time,...
How I Disconnected to Reconnect
Lately, I have found myself in a place that I have not been in a very long time and I am not sure how to take it all in. In this place, I am more consistently prioritizing myself and my needs. In this place, I am not obsessing over every detail and I am resisting my...
Season of Change
The cool breeze in the mornings lets us know that autumn is around the corner. I have not always been ready for this newness because I love the summer months and do not want to say goodbye to the warmth of the sun, the flowers, butterflies, lightning bugs, BBQs, late...
Is my teen ‘on something?’ Teen Substance misuse during COVID-19
It’s not news the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about changes to all our lives, and teens are no exception. All at once they were ripped away from their friends, sports, church groups, school clubs, jobs and other social supports. Although school has resumed, life is...
Chaplains bring calm during times of uncertainty
Recognizing that healing from trauma and facing difficulties sometimes has a powerful spiritual component, at the beginning of 2020 CHRIS 180 expanded its services to form the Institute for Spiritual Health and Wellness. In addition to placing Clinical Pastoral...
The Pandemic P.A.R.E.N.T. – Virtual School Edition
Parenting school-aged children, circa 2020, has required parents to juggle (in new ways) their profession with their parenting responsibilities, and to strike the right balance between their kids’ happiness and their health. Now that virtual school has started across...