Thriving Together Newsletter
February 2024
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Improving Survival Rates From Cardiac Arrest Through Training |  | |
Cardiac arrest claims more lives than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, influenza, pneumonia, auto accidents, HIV, firearms and house fires combined. But, CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival if performed right away. To help improve cardiac emergency preparedness in Georgia, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation awarded $600,000 in grants to the American Heart Association (AHA), Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
The AHA will use its grant to fund the Nation of Lifesavers program, which works to turn bystanders into lifesavers by providing cardiac emergency training. Emory University will use its funding for its CPR Emergency Preparedness program, which will provide hands-on, interactive education and training for participants. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will use its grant to support Project S.A.V.E., which works to prevent sudden cardiac arrest among children, teens and young adults through AED (automated external defibrillator) and CPR training throughout Georgia.
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Stories From Our Grantees | |
New Online Resource Helps Black Women and Girls Access Mental Health Care | |
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Black Girls Smile (BGS) provides mental health education and programming geared toward Black women and girls, with the goal of destigmatizing mental health care and helping Black females access the critical support they need. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation recently awarded BGS a $150,000 grant to fund its new online platform, BeWellBlackGirl, which connects Black women and girls to local and national wellness resources and helps them navigate mental health systems that sometimes provoke fear and anxiety.
Lauren Carson, BGS founder and executive director, was inspired to create BGS because of her own struggles with depression and anxiety as a young girl. “I had to access resources that traditionally weren’t used in my community, such as therapists, psychiatrists and support groups,” she said. “And in most of these settings, there wasn’t anybody who looked like me.” Carson and the Black women who run BGS are determined to help Black females feel supported, enlightened and empowered to lead mentally healthy lives.
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Helping Young Leaders Bridge the Partisan Divide | |
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The foundation granted $1.35 million to Future Caucus, a bipartisan nonprofit committed to helping young elected leaders collaborate across party lines so they can better serve their constituents and devise innovative solutions to difficult problems. Future Caucus has served more than 1,800 young lawmakers across the country, providing leadership development, strategic communications guidance, connections to policy experts and a diverse network of peers. The organization’s goal is a democracy grounded in empathy, where leaders can transcend polarization and forge productive partnerships.
“Young people are open to doing things differently by working across political divides and differences,” said Layla Zaidane, Future Caucus president and CEO. “If we want people to trust in our democracy, we have to show them something worthy of their trust. And it starts with elevating people who are in positions to do something meaningful right now.”
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Consistent Access to Food Transforms People's Lives | |
The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) received a grant of $1 million from the foundation to support its Transforming the Neighbor Experience Campaign. ACFB has been fighting hunger by engaging, educating and empowering the community since 1979, with the help of food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, shelters and senior centers. This campaign hopes to transform the emergency feeding network by ensuring people have equitable, convenient and consistent access to food.
ACFB understands that when neighbors have enough to eat, they have the mental, emotional and financial bandwidth to deal with other challenges and pursue opportunities for a better life. This campaign will help ACFB dramatically grow its reach and impact over the next five years, distributing more than $1 billion in food and resources and improving the experience for people seeking assistance.
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Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: Spotlight on Black Pioneers | |
In honor of Black History Month, we are shining a light on Black pioneers who have made significant contributions in our key areas of giving.
Throughout February, our social media channels will feature stories about innovators, activists and leaders who persevered in the face of adversity. We hope you follow along as we pay tribute to their visionary work and lasting legacies that continue to uplift and empower communities today.
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