LOVE IN ACTION |
A COMMUNITY INVESTED
At ATLAS, miraculous generosity from this community and so many others close to the effort has provided both the physical space ATLAS calls home and countless changed mental, emotional and spiritual landscapes in the hearts of children and families. These donors, allocating God’s resources to them, have accomplished incredible things in a very short period of time. ATLAS, standing for Attaining Truth, Love, and Self-control, was established in the year 2005 and is part of a larger, nation-wide organization to pour into local areas in a way that uniquely serves each community. Because each ATLAS is customized to cater to each specific culture and set of challenges, the Greene County ATLAS has evolved quite a bit in its nearly 15-year history. The enormous support throughout has made the impossible possible.
“This is an incredibly caring community that gives selflessly and generously to make a difference in the lives of others.”
Mike Daniel and Avis Williams pose for a picture as two community leaders unite
Doug Hesse took our Golf Event to new heights
The ground breaking ceremony for the new ATLAS facility was bathed in prayer
In the early years after its inception, ATLAS was focused on helping the hurting people in the community.
Local members of the community supported the effort in full by giving of their time and treasures to staff and operate a crisis and counseling effort out of rented space in downtown Greensboro. As the vision grew to help create long term sustainable change began to take shape, partnerships with churches, organizations, and the school system became paramount in order to teach moral values and life principals to students.
The donations of not just monetary gifts, but spaces to hold ATLAS led classes and human resources to teach and pour into the students of Greene county drove the organization to a level of influence that was reaching thousands of kids from every corner of the county.
As the vision continued to evolve into a full continuum of proactive efforts for all ages, the opportunity to acquire land directly adjacent to GCHS presented itself. This was a miraculous opportunity to be a light for Christ essentially on campus, opening up doors of influence that would have never been possible. Once again ATLAS leadership was overwhelmed with the support that poured in to make this permanent facility home.
-Timeline-
THE EARLY YEARS↓
In 2003 two men who would eventually become board members began meeting with a group of men, leading them through a series called “Quenching the Fathers thirst”. From there, the ATLAS vision began to grow and the hearts of the two men who initially answered the call began to spread, garnering support from individuals throughout the county. The early years, support helped to fund the effort to meet people where they were by exceeding $615,077.17 between 2005 and 2008
HOPE↓
In 2008, the heart began to shift and the effort to educate students on healthy life practices that could prevent cycles that were hurting people and families in the community began. One of the largest indications of support ATLAS received was the partnership of the Greene County School Board by unanimously approving the HOPE program that would eventually be taught in grades 6-12. Churches and other community organizations began to assist in the support of the program as well. Individuals stepped up to teach these courses and mentor students and families with incredible support and thousands of hours of investment. During this time period $1,757,272.78 was raised and 7,321 students were exposed to the teaching of the HOPE program.
THRIVE CAMPAIGN↓
In 2014 the expansion of ATLAS’ Christian Learning Center and Early Childhood initiatives sparked the development of a permanent ATLAS facility. The future site of the facility was located on main street right next to Greene County High School. This dream would allow for even more opportunities to connect with students and families. The Thrive campaign was launched to make this dream a reality. Over the course of three years, the community rallied and gave $4,076,174.77 to complete what we now call our home. The building opened its doors in spring of 2018 and now hosts students and families daily for CLC, After School, Mom and more, and Early Childhood gatherings. The incredible support of this community made the expansion of all ATLAS programs possible to levels that were once just realized in the imaginations of the members of the community.
ATLAS ENDOWMENT↓
One of the most recent efforts for support was to establish a long-term investment that could one day grow to levels that could fully fund certain aspects of the ministry. The ATLAS Endowment fund was established in 2018. A single supporter pledged to match up to $250,000 raised for the initiation of this fund. Over the course of just a few months, the effort to raise the goal was met by community members, businesses, and partners which has resulted in the newly formed endowment sitting at over $500,025. The incredible support of this community has been nothing short of miraculous and God has led ATLAS into realms only He could have orchestrated.
