Introduction

Working Together for Better Opportunities

The East Lake Foundation continues its work to transform place and build promise in the East Lake neighborhood. We made great strides in 2018, and we are grateful to all the partners, supporters and residents who make our success possible.

The East Lake Foundation provides the tools for families of The Villages of East Lake and students of Drew Charter School to build a better life for themselves and future generations through

  • Cradle-to-College EducationNot Found
  • Mixed-Income HousingNot Found
  • Community WellnessNot Found

Impact

Impacting Lives of Residents

For more than two decades, we have utilized our coordinated holistic approach to community revitalization to build a stronger, healthier community in East Lake and ensure lasting, sustainable success.

ELF Model

A Foundation That Works

A Model That Works

The successful transformation in East Lake became the blueprint for establishing Purpose Built Communities, which continues to build strong, economically diverse communities across the country. As the Community Quarterback organization in East Lake, we work within a Defined Neighborhood to provide programs and resources to ensure access to Cradle-to-College Education, Quality Mixed-Income Housing and Community Wellness programs that benefit all residents.

East Lake by the Numbers

$400M+

new private investment in East Lake and surrounding community

97%

reduction in violent crime

5x

higher income reported by residents in subsidized apartment homes

100%

of work-eligible adults in The Villages of East Lake’s subsidized apartment homes are working or in school

Drew Charter School

Charles R. Drew Charter School serves more than 1,800 students in Pre-K through 12th grade with an innovative Project-Based learning approach centered around a STEAM curriculum.

Drew Senior (#1), Junior (#2) and Elementary (#6) Academies each rank in the Top 10 in all of Atlanta Public Schools (APS). Drew consistently ranks in the top 10% in APS and top 20% in the State of Georgia.

97%

Class of 2018 graduation rate (75 of 77 students)

$9M+

in scholarship offers

#1

high school in Atlanta Public Schools

97%

Class of 2018 graduation rate (75 of 77 students)

$9M+

in scholarship offers

#1

high school in Atlanta Public Schools

97%

Class of 2018 graduation rate (75 of 77 students)

RISE After School Program

R.I.S.E. (Recreation. Innovation. STEAMulation. Education) is a comprehensive after school program for Pre-K through 5th grade students operating from 4:00PM to 6:00PM daily, offering students opportunities to participate in special events and clubs.

We are grateful for the support of the East Lake Women’s Alliance and our partnerships with the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Westminster Math & Science Club, See Beautiful and Most Valuable Kids. These partnerships have provided students with opportunities to learn, build community and attend local events.

90

participants are economically-disadvantaged

$206K

in grant funds earned

415

participants - 25% from
Villages of East Lake

90

participants are economically-disadvantaged

$206K

in grant funds earned

415

participants - 25% from
Villages of East Lake

90

participants are economically-disadvantaged

RCSP Program

The Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP) offers resources and support to residents of The Villages of East Lake mixed-income housing community, with an emphasis on economic stability, career development and community engagement.

RCSP teams with several community partners to enhance employment readiness through financial education workshops, including: financial education, entrepreneurship, homeowner education, and career coaching. Residents also receive access to job resources, financial tools, small business start up assistance, and much more.

54

economic workshops

21

attendees to home buyer education sessions

705

participating residents

54

economic workshops

21

attendees to home buyer education sessions

705

participating residents

54

economic workshops

The First Tee® of East Lake

The First Tee of East Lake is a year-round golf instruction and mentoring program that uses the principles of golf, including discipline, hard work, sportsmanship and integrity to enhance academic achievement and life skills for youth participants (ages 5-17).

Golf instruction also provides access to college scholarships, business connections and employment. Our chapter is one of many in The First Tee® network.

100%

of seniors graduated and received golf or academic scholarships

100%

increase in girl’s golf program from 29 to 58 participants

793

participants

100%

of seniors graduated and received golf or academic scholarships

100%

increase in girl’s golf program from 29 to 58 participants

793

participants

100%

of seniors graduated and received golf or academic scholarships

Start:ME Program

Start:ME East Lake is a 14-session program in partnership with Social Enterprise @ Goizueta at Emory University that offers the assistance promising micro-entrepreneurs need to develop viable and sustainable microbusinesses.

Since its inception, Start:ME East Lake has graduated 4 Cohorts with 61 ventures, 91% of which are still operational and 88% female/minority-owned. These efforts have received over $75K in community capital funding.

In 2018, 27% of the participants were residents of The Villages of East Lake, 47% of the participants were Drew Charter School parents, and 67% of the businesses were minority-owned.

53%

of participants are from low to moderate income households

$8.9K

in grant funds awarded

15

entrepreneurs

53%

of participants are from low to moderate income households

$8.9K

in grant funds awarded

15

entrepreneurs

53%

of participants are from low to moderate income households

ELHC Program

East Lake Healthy Connections (ELHC), a program managed by the East Lake Family YMCA, ensures all eligible East Lake families have access to health insurance, effectively utilize primary and preventive health care services, properly manage chronic diseases, and establish contact with accessible medical homes.

92%

of clients meet or exceeded health goals

108

participants connected to health insurance

262

clients served

92%

of clients meet or exceeded health goals

108

participants connected to health insurance

262

clients served

92%

of clients meet or exceeded health goals

Neighborhood Stories

A Neighborhood that Works

Nearly 25 years after the revitalization of East Lake began, residents and students continue to provide compelling stories about the East Lake Foundation’s profound impact. Here we highlight just a few of the many wonderful experiences.

Kevin Rodgers

Kevin Rodgers, a local barber and natural hair care expert, joined the Start:ME East Lake Program as a member of the 2018 cohort. Over several years prior, he had developed Shwaxx Brand, a line of natural hair products designed to help style, clean, and condition natural hair while keeping it healthy. During the 14-session Start:ME East Lake accelerator program, he was connected with other entrepreneurs, mentors and business leaders who helped him sharpen his business skills and develop a sustainable business plan.

At the end of the program, Kevin received a $10,000 loan from the Emory University Impact Investing Group, a student group of Emory University Goizueta Business School that provides capital to promising small businesses around Atlanta. He plans to use the funds to continue the expansion of the Shwaxx Brand natural hair product line nationally.

Sarai Dobbs

Sarai Dobbs is a sophomore honor student at Drew Charter School. As a Drew kindergartener, she was introduced to the game of golf through The First Tee® of East Lake. She is now a member of the Drew Girls Golf Team and, in 2017, won the honor of hitting the ceremonial tee shot at the PGA TOUR Championship.

Sarai’s favorite subjects are math and science, and she also plays harp and piano. Sarai hopes to attend one of the top colleges in the nation, study software engineering and finance, and play collegiate golf.

Darius Davis

Darius Davis joined The First Tee® of East Lake program as a 10-year-old. As a result of his participation, he not only excelled at golf, but also academically, receiving a full-scholarship to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, where he is currently a senior.

A member of the school’s golf team, Darius is a PGA Golf Management (PGM) major and will graduate with his Class A. After graduation, he’d like to return to Atlanta as a First Tee® of East Lake instructor, with a goal of eventually becoming a Head Golf Pro at an area golf course.

Asher McGee

During the 2018 TOUR Championship, Asher McGee, an honor student and senior at Drew Charter School, served as a student media correspondents for the East Lake Foundation. Asher was tasked with providing his perspective of the tournament and its impact on the East Lake neighborhood. Asher had the opportunity to meet and interact with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Golf Channel’s Jimmy Roberts, and East Lake Golf Club President and General Manager, Chad Parker.

Asher summed up the experience, saying it “not only allowed me to get a closer look at the TOUR Championship, but also led to me some self-reflection. I now have the sense I’m a part of something bigger than myself, and I have allies and mentors I have yet to meet.”

Marilyn Hack

Marilyn Hack says she has gone from poverty to paradise. When she moved into the mixed-income housing development 18 years ago, she knew it was different from her last apartment because there were flowers blooming and the complex had a security gate that worked. She moved into the public housing first, and later moved to a market-rate apartment.

Marilyn has taken full advantage of all East Lake has to offer. Through RCSP, she participated in an entrepreneur program and started her own small business, CPR Learning Concepts, LLC, a CPR training company. Her three thriving children all attended (or currently attend) Drew Charter School. In August of last year, she closed on her first home. Marilyn is a shining example of what the East Lake Foundation hopes to provide for all its residents – a path to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Kevin Rodgers

Kevin Rodgers, a local barber and natural hair care expert, joined the Start:ME East Lake Program as a member of the 2018 cohort. Over several years prior, he had developed Shwaxx Brand, a line of natural hair products designed to help style, clean, and condition natural hair while keeping it healthy. During the 14-session Start:ME East Lake accelerator program, he was connected with other entrepreneurs, mentors and business leaders who helped him sharpen his business skills and develop a sustainable business plan.

At the end of the program, Kevin received a $10,000 loan from the Emory University Impact Investing Group, a student group of Emory University Goizueta Business School that provides capital to promising small businesses around Atlanta. He plans to use the funds to continue the expansion of the Shwaxx Brand natural hair product line nationally.

Sarai Dobbs

Sarai Dobbs is a sophomore honor student at Drew Charter School. As a Drew kindergartener, she was introduced to the game of golf through The First Tee® of East Lake. She is now a member of the Drew Girls Golf Team and, in 2017, won the honor of hitting the ceremonial tee shot at the PGA TOUR Championship.

Sarai’s favorite subjects are math and science, and she also plays harp and piano. Sarai hopes to attend one of the top colleges in the nation, study software engineering and finance, and play collegiate golf.

Darius Davis

Darius Davis joined The First Tee® of East Lake program as a 10-year-old. As a result of his participation, he not only excelled at golf, but also academically, receiving a full-scholarship to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, where he is currently a senior.

A member of the school’s golf team, Darius is a PGA Golf Management (PGM) major and will graduate with his Class A. After graduation, he’d like to return to Atlanta as a First Tee® of East Lake instructor, with a goal of eventually becoming a Head Golf Pro at an area golf course.

Asher McGee

During the 2018 TOUR Championship, Asher McGee, an honor student and senior at Drew Charter School, served as a student media correspondents for the East Lake Foundation. Asher was tasked with providing his perspective of the tournament and its impact on the East Lake neighborhood. Asher had the opportunity to meet and interact with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Golf Channel’s Jimmy Roberts, and East Lake Golf Club President and General Manager, Chad Parker.

Asher summed up the experience, saying it “not only allowed me to get a closer look at the TOUR Championship, but also led to me some self-reflection. I now have the sense I’m a part of something bigger than myself, and I have allies and mentors I have yet to meet.”

Marilyn Hack

Marilyn Hack says she has gone from poverty to paradise. When she moved into the mixed-income housing development 18 years ago, she knew it was different from her last apartment because there were flowers blooming and the complex had a security gate that worked. She moved into the public housing first, and later moved to a market-rate apartment.

Marilyn has taken full advantage of all East Lake has to offer. Through RCSP, she participated in an entrepreneur program and started her own small business, CPR Learning Concepts, LLC, a CPR training company. Her three thriving children all attended (or currently attend) Drew Charter School. In August of last year, she closed on her first home. Marilyn is a shining example of what the East Lake Foundation hopes to provide for all its residents – a path to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Kevin Rodgers

Kevin Rodgers, a local barber and natural hair care expert, joined the Start:ME East Lake Program as a member of the 2018 cohort. Over several years prior, he had developed Shwaxx Brand, a line of natural hair products designed to help style, clean, and condition natural hair while keeping it healthy. During the 14-session Start:ME East Lake accelerator program, he was connected with other entrepreneurs, mentors and business leaders who helped him sharpen his business skills and develop a sustainable business plan.

At the end of the program, Kevin received a $10,000 loan from the Emory University Impact Investing Group, a student group of Emory University Goizueta Business School that provides capital to promising small businesses around Atlanta. He plans to use the funds to continue the expansion of the Shwaxx Brand natural hair product line nationally.

Support

Today’s Investment in Tomorrow’s Promise

The East Lake Foundation’s work would not be possible without the generous support of the individuals, businesses and partners that believe in our mission and understand the value of giving back to the community.

Our Donors

Visionary: $25,000 and above

Innovator: $10,000-$24,999

Leader: $5,000-$9,999

Builder: $2,500-$4,999

Partner: $250-$999

Friend: $1-$250

In Tribute

Honoring

In Memory

Tour Tribute

Our Partners

East Lake Family YMCA

The East Lake Family YMCA offers recreational and community programs, youth sports, aquatics, day camp, and health and wellness programs. It is also home to the East Lake Early Learning Academy and East Lake Healthy Connections.

East Lake Golf Club

The historic home course of Bobby Jones and permanent home to the season-ending PGA TOUR Championship, East Lake Golf Club donates a portion of its operational proceeds to help the Foundation revitalize the surrounding neighborhood.

East Lake Neighborhood Association

East Lake’s neighborhood association was founded by a group of concerned residents who wanted to better the community, and increase communication between neighbors.

Publix

Publix opened its East Lake location in 2001, becoming the first grocery store in this community in over 40 years and providing access to fresh food, produce and other products and services.

Sheltering Arms East Lake

Sheltering Arms East Lake offers an infant, toddler and Pre-K curriculum for children in the East Lake and Kirkwood neighborhoods. It also serves as one of the Early Childhood Education partners in the East Lake neighborhood.

Start: ME

In partnership with Social Enterprise @ Goizueta, Start:ME East Lake supports micro-entrepreneurs in the East Lake and neighboring Kirkwood communities and provides low-cost loans to top business ventures.

PGA Tour Championship

Since 1998, the annual PGA TOUR Championship has raised more than $30 million for the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee of East Lake.

Atlanta Housing

Atlanta Housing joined with the Foundation, residents and private investors to create The Villages of East Lake mix-income community in East Lake.

Atlanta Public Schools

Along with parents and the Foundation, Atlanta Public Schools opened Drew Charter School in 2000, the City of Atlanta’s first charter school.

Charles R. Drew Charter School

Drew offers a STEAM curriculum and numerous enrichment programs that emphasize academic achievement and character development for more than 1,800 students, Pre-K through 12th grade.

Charlie Yates Course

A 9-hole “executive” public golf course and home to The First Tee® of East Lake, the Yates Course was designed by famed golf course architect Rees Jones.

Columbia Residential

The property management company for The Villages of East Lake, Columbia Residential provides quality, safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income families.

East Lake Family YMCA

The East Lake Family YMCA offers recreational and community programs, youth sports, aquatics, day camp, and health and wellness programs. It is also home to the East Lake Early Learning Academy and East Lake Healthy Connections.

East Lake Golf Club

The historic home course of Bobby Jones and permanent home to the season-ending PGA TOUR Championship, East Lake Golf Club donates a portion of its operational proceeds to help the Foundation revitalize the surrounding neighborhood.

East Lake Neighborhood Association

East Lake’s neighborhood association was founded by a group of concerned residents who wanted to better the community, and increase communication between neighbors.

Publix

Publix opened its East Lake location in 2001, becoming the first grocery store in this community in over 40 years and providing access to fresh food, produce and other products and services.

Sheltering Arms East Lake

Sheltering Arms East Lake offers an infant, toddler and Pre-K curriculum for children in the East Lake and Kirkwood neighborhoods. It also serves as one of the Early Childhood Education partners in the East Lake neighborhood.

Start: ME

In partnership with Social Enterprise @ Goizueta, Start:ME East Lake supports micro-entrepreneurs in the East Lake and neighboring Kirkwood communities and provides low-cost loans to top business ventures.

PGA Tour Championship

Since 1998, the annual PGA TOUR Championship has raised more than $30 million for the East Lake Foundation and The First Tee of East Lake.

Atlanta Housing

Atlanta Housing joined with the Foundation, residents and private investors to create The Villages of East Lake mix-income community in East Lake.

Atlanta Public Schools

Along with parents and the Foundation, Atlanta Public Schools opened Drew Charter School in 2000, the City of Atlanta’s first charter school.

Charles R. Drew Charter School

Drew offers a STEAM curriculum and numerous enrichment programs that emphasize academic achievement and character development for more than 1,800 students, Pre-K through 12th grade.

Charlie Yates Course

A 9-hole “executive” public golf course and home to The First Tee® of East Lake, the Yates Course was designed by famed golf course architect Rees Jones.

Columbia Residential

The property management company for The Villages of East Lake, Columbia Residential provides quality, safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income families.

Financials

Accounting for Progress

The East Lake Foundation maintains an overall strong financial position as a result of its careful stewardship of funds.

REVENUE
$4,566,982*

EXPENSES
$5,025,516*


*These unaudited numbers reflect the revenue and expenses of the East Lake Foundation and its charitable contributions to its partners in the East Lake Initiative.

2019

The Work Continues

The next chapter in the story of East Lake is already being written. 2019 promises to be another year of great achievements and wonderful discoveries. The work continues and we look forward to continued success and new opportunity.