CHRIS 180

At CHRIS 180, we believe that investing in professional growth is key to the success of our organization.

Recently we celebrated the graduation of our Violence Prevention Specialist Lulu Brower, M.Msc, ERYT500, from her summer internship with our Institute for Spiritual Health!

As a member of our School-Based Mental Health team, Brower took advantage of the summer break to do an internship with our Clinical Pastoral Education program.

"I've always been a spiritual person, so I looked into CPE because I wanted to broaden my spiritual learnings. I thought there would be bible study during every meeting, but that wasn't the case. Unexpectedly, I learned a lot about myself," shared Brower.

She added, "I learned how to care for people on a different level, self-regulation, nonverbal communication and experiencing the interfaith panel was amazing!"

If this sounds like something you are interested in exploring, visit CHRIS180.org/spiritual-health for more details about this program and our partnership with Northside Hospital.

Thank you to everyone who joined CHRIS 180 this past Saturday at Flourish Atlanta for The CHRIStal Ball!

It was a fantastic night celebrating our retiring President & CEO, Kathy Colbenson, LMFT, and the life-changing work we do in our communities across metro Atlanta.

Speaking of the ball, we have SO many highlights to share this week, so stay tuned!

Today is the event we’ve all been waiting for, The CHRIStal Ball!

CHRIS 180 is excited to finally welcome our biggest supporters and friends for a night of celebration as we honor our retiring President & CEO Kathy Colbenson, LMFT!

Thank you in advance to all who have purchased a ticket or sponsorship! Your presence at The CHRIStal Ball impacts many lives in the communities we serve, and we are thrilled to celebrate with you.

If you cannot attend today's celebration but still want to support the CHRIS 180 mission, click the link to shop our silent auction. https://loom.ly/jNK7uVY

Make sure to join the conversation by using !

Saturday, August 17, is National Nonprofit Day, one of CHRIS 180’s favorite days of the year!

To celebrate, check out these three fun facts about our work:

⭐ In 1986, we started Georgia’s first independent living program for youth aging out of foster care.

⭐ In 2000, we opened the Rainbow House, the first program in the Southeast to serve LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.

⭐ In 2013, we began trauma-informed adoption services and established the state’s first foster home for sibling groups in foster care.

There is so much more to uncover! Click the to discover more fun facts about our work spanning 43 years.

Saturday, August 17, is National Nonprofit Day! At CHRIS 180, we are proud to have served Metro Atlanta for over 43 years!

From providing mental health resources to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families, assisting those experiencing homelessness, helping youth find their forever homes, and so much more, our team members are always eager to get our hands dirty and put in the work to make positive change happen.

We could not do it without all of our amazing supporters and community partners! Thank you for your dedication to our mission!

Thank you to our generous Protector Sponsors of The CHRIStal Ball! Their support helps the CHRIS 180 team continue to provide high-quality services to youth, adults and families across Metro Atlanta!

Holder Construction
Cadence Bank
Atlanta Braves Foundation
Daugherty Business Solutions
Atlanta Hawks
Alston & Bird LLP
Liz and Frank Blake
Terrin and Rich McKay
Wes Adams and Claudia Patton
Vicki and Ron Canakaris

If you haven't grabbed your tickets for The CHRIStal Ball yet, don't wait any longer! Visit the CHRIStalBall.org today, and we will see you on August 17 at Flourish Atlanta.

If you can't join us in person, check out our silent auction for a chance to bid on items you love and support our work. https://bit.ly/3yGZql9

Please help us celebrate the promotion of Melissa Bauman-Fletcher, LMFT, CHRIS 180's new VP of School-Based Mental Health!

Six years ago, Bauman-Fletcher joined CHRIS 180 as a therapist in our permanent supportive housing program, Summit Trail Apartments. In addition, Melissa worked at our drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness, counseling youth and young adults who were living on the streets.

In 2020, she joined our School-Based Mental Health team as a clinical program manager. After two years in that position, she was promoted to director, where she led a team of clinical program managers and therapists for two years.

"As the new VP of School-Based Mental Health, I'm looking forward to continuing to support our amazing team of therapists and the work they do every day in 80+ schools across Metro Atlanta. As part of that, I'm really honored to witness the amazing changes and growth that happen with children and families," she shared.

Her commitment and passion for helping children and families are inspiring, and we are so thrilled to have her as a new member of our executive leadership team!

Help us congratulate Melissa in the comments!

What is recidivism? In short, it means repeating or committing new crimes after being released from jail.

Often, individuals get stuck in a vicious cycle where they spend time in and out of the criminal justice system. CHRIS 180 helps men in the Fulton County Jail figure out ways to turn their lives around and make better decisions that will keep them on a productive path after they are released.

Swipe 👉 to see the services we offer to help them successfully reintegrate into society!

Fulton County Sheriff's Office

CHRIS 180

Today, August 11, is National Sons and Daughters Day! In celebration of this holiday, we introduce you to CHRIS 180 foster parents, Joe Sanfilippo and Victor Gavins!

Their inspiring journey to becoming foster-to-adopt parents to their seven-year-old daughter and a four-and-a-half-year-old son is one of our favorite stories.

They started their journey in March 2020 but hit a roadblock when the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown started. The agency they initially met with closed, and they had to start over.

The couple continued meeting with different agencies, but they quickly realized that most focused on reuniting families, not adoption. Their determination to foster-to-adopt led them to an orientation with our partners at Raise A Child, who connected them to us.

In June 2023, the couple started our trauma-informed foster care training and by December 2023, they were licensed foster parents. Shortly after, a sibling group was placed in their home.

We hope their story inspires you to open your heart and home to a child or a sibling group in need of a safe and loving home. For more information, visit CHRIS180.org/program/foster-and-adopt.

The transition from summer break and back to a normal routine of the school year can be tough on kids. 📚

So we asked a few of CHRIS 180's School-Based Mental Health Therapists to give their top tips for parents to help their kids transition back to the classroom.

1️⃣Work on social skills & up building their self-esteem before entering a new grade.

2️⃣Practice getting used to routines again before school starts.

3️⃣Give children space after school to decompress before jumping into homework.

We hope that parents and students have a smooth start to the school year!

CHRIS 180

Join CHRIS 180 as we come together to celebrate National Wellness Month this August!

Wellness encompasses much more than just diet and exercise! It is a holistic approach to overall well-being that includes mental, emotional, social and spiritual health.

This month, we introduce you to our Westside Empowerment Center located at 283 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW Atlanta, GA 30314.

The center offers counseling, health and fitness coaching, support in navigating the healthcare system, a free weekly curb market and assistance with legal matters such as eviction defense and landlord-tenant abuse.

To learn more about the Westside Empowerment Center and all of the services offered at this location, CHRIS180.org/program/community-support.

With only 10 days until The CHRIStal Ball, we want to thank our Champion Sponsors, Georgia-Pacific, Cox Enterprises, Georgia Power and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, for their unwavering support of CHRIS 180 and our mission!

Visit CHRIStalBall.org to grab your ticket to join us on Saturday, August 17, at Flourish Atlanta!

Legendary Events

CHRIS 180's Cure Violence Atlanta team swooped in like superheroes on the first day of school at Sylvan Hills Middle School!

Our team was at the school to welcome students with school supplies and high fives to get them excited about the new school year ahead.

From day one to graduation, Cure Violence Atlanta is committed to showing up for our youth and helping them build resiliency to overcome challenges and prevent violence.

Atlanta Public Schools

Returning to school can create a mix of emotions for students!

Some may be excited to see their friends, while others may feel anxious about having different classmates or going to a different school.

If your child is worried about fitting in, read our latest blog post to learn how they can manage social pressure and build healthy friendships.

Atlanta Public Schools
Clayton County Public Schools
DeKalb County School District
Fulton County Schools

Managing Social Pressures: A Blueprint for Your Child’s Social Life - CHRIS 180 For many children, returning to school can be a mix of emotions, from excitement to nervousness, especially when thinking about fitting in and making friends. Social pressure and peer relationships impact school life and can sometimes feel difficult and overwhelming to navigate. Here are some ways y...

This week, Gwinnett County families were in for a treat at CHRIS Counseling Center - Gwinnett's back-to-school celebration!

Our team gathered students and their parents for a fun day in the sun, complete with face painting, basketball, games, food and music from Dj ExeQtive!

Thanks to your support, our families went home with free school supplies, including bookbags filled with some essentials for the first week of school!

We are still collecting school supplies through August 12. To make a donation, please go to CHRIS180.org/btswishlist.

As we prepare for the annual CHRIStal Ball in a few weeks, we want to give a big shoutout to our longtime partners at Delta Air Lines for once again being our Presenting Sponsor!

This ball would not be possible without their generosity and support!

We can't wait to see everyone at The CHRIStal Ball on 8/17! ✨

Get your tickets at CHRIStalBall.org today!

School is back in session for Atlanta Public Schools today!

If your child is feeling anxious about making new friends or fitting in with their peers, don't worry! Back-to-school jitters are normal, especially in the first few days.

However, if these concerns last for several weeks, you may want to read this blog to learn how you can support your child in dealing with social pressure and making friends!

Managing Social Pressures: A Blueprint for Your Child’s Social Life - CHRIS 180 For many children, returning to school can be a mix of emotions, from excitement to nervousness, especially when thinking about fitting in and making friends. Social pressure and peer relationships impact school life and can sometimes feel difficult and overwhelming to navigate. Here are some ways y...

The old adage, "If you can see it, you can be it," has never been more true!

Teens from CHRIS 180's Fulton County Clubhouse for Youth were happy to have the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department stop by for their career day this summer!

The group met with professionals to discuss career choices, including jobs as firefighters, fire advocates and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

They also met with a software engineer from Vanguard and adiversity, equity and inclusion consultant for Mercer University!

We are thankful to our special guests for sharing wisdom! Their time spent with our youth has left a lasting impact, guiding them to find their callings and achieve their dreams.

Fulton County Government

Earlier this month, CHRIS 180 team members shared photos of their beloved pets in celebration of All-American Pet Photo Day! 🐕

In our latest blog, we explore some of the benefits of being a pet parent and how you can grow closer to your pet to reap these benefits and improve the quality of your life.

Pawsitive Impact: How Pets Help Support Our Mental Health - CHRIS 180 Are you considering getting a pet? If not, well, you might want to! An American Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly poll found that 86% of pet owners said their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health. While owning a pet comes with great responsibility, like dedicating ti...

This past Saturday, CHRIS 180's Cure Violence Atlanta team hosted a special back-to-school community resource giveaway to support children and families!

Over 100 backpacks with school essentials were distributed to children, ensuring they were prepared to learn before school started.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the giveaway and are excited to continue supporting and uplifting families in Southwest Atlanta!

Now through August 12, you can donate school supplies to kids in our programs! Go to CHRIS180.org/btswishlist to check out what we still need!

Teens with CHRIS 180's Fulton County Clubhouse for Youth had a blast at SOOFA Ranch- Stretch Out On Faith Again Ranch for Family Fun Day!

The ranch is a therapeutic riding center that offers horseback riding for anyone looking to reduce stress and connect with nature. During the visit, CHRIS 180 families saddled up, powered through the heat and tested their physical fortitude.

It was a fun-filled Saturday of laughter, learning and adventure, and our team was proud to witness them overcome fear and build confidence through this activity!

Interested in learning about the Fulton County Clubhouse for Youth? Visit https://bit.ly/46k7VyR

Fulton County Government

Is anyone else excited about another school year, or is it just us?

Every year, CHRIS 180's School-Based Mental Health team members hold a big back-to-school extravaganza to connect with one another and learn new skills and strategies for helping students, parents and school staff.

The 2024-2025 school year will mark our 11th year providing school-based services, and we are thrilled to have such an incredible team of therapists and support staff returning to schools across Metro Atlanta.

If you are a parent of a school-aged child, your child may be eligible to receive CHRIS 180 counseling services through their school. Click the link to read about our services and see a list of our partner schools. CHRIS180.org/school-based-services/

Atlanta Public Schools
DeKalb County School District
Clayton County Public Schools
Fulton County Schools

It truly takes a village to raise a child...and get them ready for the start of the school year!

This month, our friends at the Brookhaven Rotary Club generously provided 50 backpacks filled with school essentials for children in the CHRIS 180 community! 🎒

We want to thank our partners for their time and effort in preparing the bags and we are grateful to club president Linda Hatten for delivering them to our main office.

There is still plenty of time to support our back-to-school drive! Head to CHRIS180.org/btswishlist to give a student the tools to success!

CHRIS 180's Cure Violence Atlanta team is always out and about in the communities they serve, but we were lucky to catch up with Outreach Supervisor Czyz Jones to get his take on the program's impact.

Jones shared, "My favorite part about my job is being able to extend a helping hand to people that feel like no one else cares about them. For me, growing up, I had moments of feeling like that and needed someone to fill that void. So, being able to give back and be there for people is the best part of my job."

For more information on our violence prevention programs, visit our website! CHRIS80.org/program/violence-prevention.

Cure Violence

The best part about schools closing for summer break is summer camp fun!

LuLu Brower, M.Msc, CHRIS 180's Violence Prevention Specialist in our School-Based Mental Health program, has put a creative spin on the topic of conflict resolution.

Brower brought ingredients for cookies for the youth attending summer camp at Police Foundation's At-Promise Center, so they could bake together and discuss healthy ways to handle conflict and disagreements. 🍪

Salute to the always creative Brower, for thinking outside of the box while teaching youth crucial life skills. Her initiative is a testament to the value we place on innovative approaches!

Before the bittersweet end of summer break, please consider making a back-to-school gift to a child in need of school supplies! You can shop our wishlist at CHRIS180.org/BTSWishlist

From making new friends to learning life skills, extracurricular activities are a simple tool that can help get your kid excited about returning to school!

In our latest blog, we share six ways after-school programs can boost skills while fostering success in the classroom and at home. Share this post with a friend or two with children so they can be informed!

Atlanta Public Schools
Clayton County Public Schools
DeKalb County School District
Fulton County Schools

Skills, Confidence & Success: How Extracurricular Activities Support Youth Mental Health - CHRIS 180 As school-based therapists, we often encourage youth to participate in extracurricular activities that help create a healthy mental state. In the bustling world of academics and social media, it’s easy to overlook the importance of after-school activities for kids. Whether it is joining a sports t...

Since 2016, our state has recognized July as Georgia Reentry Awareness Month!

In celebration of the observance, we want to share a powerful testimony from a client who was connected to CHRIS 180's Reentry program through the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

During Elijah's time in jail, he was given opportunity to take recidivism reduction courses, including life-skills training, substance abuse classes and more. Due to his participation, his one year sentence was shortened to just six months!

"I heard about the program and saw how CHRIS 180 was able to help other people get back on their feet and find work to support their families. I wanted to change my lifestyle and learn how to make positive decisions instead of doing the wrong things.," shared Elijah.

He credits the program with helping him learn to control his anger, which has changed how he approaches difficult situations.

He added, "CHRIS 180 helped me out a lot, and it’s nice to know they have resources to help families with food, clothing, shelter and finding a job."

We are proud to have made an impact in this young man's life and look forward to supporting him in the future! Congratulations, Elijah!

Visit https://loom.ly/osiy7HU to learn more about our Reentry program.

The CHRIS 180 team recently took on the 17th annual System of Care Academy Conference on behavioral health services for youth and families.

Our VP of School-Based Mental Health, Brittney Walters, LCSW, led a breakout session and shared insights into the top-notch practices that make our school-based services unique.

Other colleagues, including our Resource Navigators also attended to network with other organizations supporting Georgia's youth and families.

We are grateful to Brittney Walters for steering the school-based team for the past four years and pushing the program to new heights! We are also grateful to have a fantastic outreach team that travels from event to event, meeting with and connecting people to CHRIS 180 resources!

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities