When you're told your five-year-old ball of energy has leukemia, it's easy to feel powerless. Mittie and John Fox of Grant Park, learned last year that their oldest child, Owen, was suffering from leukemia and that he would need to undergo 3½ years of treatment. "You can fall into a heap, or try to find a way to make a difference," Mittie Fox told East Atlanta Patch. "And I think we're definitely doing that." The family is making that difference by raising money and walking to raise awareness, about blood cancers to further research for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "Hopefully, we are …

Grant Park resident Audrey Jones, a graphic artist, has spent the better part of the last two years in Haïti following the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake that killed 316,000, injured another 300,000 and displaced 1.3 million. Jones, who returned back to the States for several days before returning next week. She'll be giving a presentation today at Piedmont Park in the stone drum circle from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event also will feature music, food and in-depth look at her humanitarian efforts through her aid group, Mwen Renmen Ayiti. Q: Why the mid-life career change?A: Six months after the …

Collecting cans for those in need is easy. But the generous folks behind the annual Inman Park/Inman Park United Methodist Church food drive (through Nov 13) take it one step further by getting their children involved to instill a sense of giving at an early age. “The drive has been happening for about seven or eight years now,” said Tom Baldwin, one of the coordinators. “A group of us starting doing it years ago as a way of getting our kids involved, getting them to volunteer.” Inman Park’s food drive is done through IPUMC and the collected cans go to the Intown Collaborative Ministries food…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, but if walking 60 miles or donating your next paycheck to the cause isn’t in the cards for you, try one of these things around the ‘hood and make a difference. Every little bit helps. Tin Lizzy’s Grant Park: If you’re already daydreaming about your next margarita happy hour, plan to give back while you throw ‘em back. Through October, Tin Lizzy's will donate $1 from every Veev Superfruit Margarita or Veev Pink Lemonade cocktail to It's The Journey, a 501(c)(3) non-profit which raises funds and awareness for Georgia's breast cancer …

“Part of yoga is to give back. The basis of my training is 'drink so you can pour;' you do this so you can serve others.” This sentiment comes from Neda Honarvar, owner of the city’s adored Tough Love Yoga, but shared by yogis everywhere. Tough Love has officially started donation classes (read: pay what you want), a series happening every Thursday evening through October 20, and hopefully continuing after. The basic karma yoga classes are outdoors in Historic Fourth Ward Park around the scenic amphitheater and are taught by Tough Love Yoga apprentices Ashley Bohanon and Samantha Ownby. …

This Thursday will be a big day for 15-year-old Kayla McClendon. The high school sophomore (Chamblee Charter High School) has been chosen to hit the ceremonial tee shot that will open the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club. McClendon is involved in The First Tee of East Lake — a year-round golf instruction and mentoring program that uses the sport's principles (discipline, hard work) as well as nine core values (honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment) to enhance the academic achievement and life skills of …

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the groups that are organizing an Oct. 15 benefit show. Patch sincerely regrets the error. Last Tuesday, Eric Levin, the owner of Criminal Records in Little Five Points, announced he would be closing his 20-year-old business in November. And the city freaked. A Facebook page called “Save Criminal Records Atlanta” was created (without Levin’s knowing) and it has nearly 9,000 fans and counting. Fallen Arrows garment print shop along with local artist Mike Germon created a tee that they’re selling online for $20 apiece with proceeds going to…

Maria Cadena started her yoga practice, Homemade Yoga, with the intention to give back. She offers private instruction at affordable prices, and with each session booked, she donates $5 to one of three nonprofits of the client’s choice: Trees Atlanta, Barking Hound Village Rescue Foundation or One Love Generation. “Part of what pushed me to start Homemade Yoga was working with a charity,” Cadena said. “I was invited by Jennifer Lester of One Love Generation to be their live sketch yoga model. That night, a part of me that had been sleeping was awoken. What you get when you give is beyond …

This morning, community leaders, government officials and philanthropic Atlantans gathered to celebrate the 30 years of positive change CHRIS Kids has made in the lives of young people and the unveiling of the nonprofit’s new facility known as The Graham Circle Project—a $12.1 million permanent counseling and education center as well as supportive housing for 17-24 year old youth who are aging out of foster care, homeless and/or parenting. The apartment community (called Summit Trail) is EarthCraft certified, while the services building and CHRIS Counseling & Education Center are both LEED …

Abusive relationships between males and females can begin forming as young as the age of 14. Unfavorable outcomes — to put it lightly — can occur, especially as young people start experimenting with alcohol and/or drugs. One Georgia State University professor and her team are taking matters into their own hands. Dr. Laura Salazar, associate professor at GSU’s Institute of Public Health, is in the process of creating a web-based intervention programs for teens that educates them on dealing with unhealthy relationships they may see with their friends and acquaintances. Salazar (who lives in …

A church isn’t defined by a steeple, but its people. And it’s not about where or how long it’s been in the community, but what it does for the community. The Village Church of East Atlanta defines what a church is all about. The Presbyterian church was founded in September 2010 and holds services in the Brownwood Park Recreation Center. Pastor Matt Armstrong was previously at All Souls Fellowship in Decatur, but always had the mission of starting a new congregation.  “Our philosophy was to plant neighborhood churches,” said Armstrong, who lives in East Lake.  “A lot of people were suggesting …

The kids are back in school, but unfortunately we know that not all of them have the school supplies they need for the year. A new backpack or binder just won’t fit in a struggling family’s budget. Grant Park dad and Edward Jones financial advisor, Paul Harrison, realized the need and has designated his office a collection point for school supplies that will go to the Neighborhood Charter School and King Middle School. “I’ve been in the neighborhood for ten years, and have been at this office for four, and just thought that this would be something simple I could do to give back,” Harrison …

Some of the city’s best pimento cheese, nut butters, hummus and soups will soon be on wheels and more accessible than before, thanks to the community’s generosity. That’s right—Brittany Grace Shiver, creator of farmers market favorite Grace’s Goodness, has just exceeded her goal of the $7,000 needed to make her food truck dream a reality. For the last several months, she has been at the Grant Park Farmers Market, East Atlanta Farmers Market and Decatur Farmers Market every week with her mason jars full of fresh and deliciousness snacks, spreads, soups and drinks, and soon, she’ll hit the …

“When I needed my real mom the most, she wasn’t there for me. I go to bed every night just thinking about her. It’s tough,” said Tracy Joachim, a 21-year-old Atlantan who spent his childhood in the city’s foster care system. Joachim’s story is painful, but things have been looking up for him since he entered the CHRIS Kids’ TransitionZ program and moved into Summit Trail, the EarthCraft-certified apartment complex in East Atlanta where the young adults in the program live. While CHRIS Kids has been helping heal children, strengthen families and build community for the past 30 years, the …

Atlanta’s circle of giving just keeps going ‘round and ‘round. In one unique case of dance, gardening and goodwill, Grant Park’s own GardenHood, a retail garden center, has shown its giving spirit with Dance Truck, a mobile dance troupe based in East Atlanta. Almost every one of the 17 performances Dance Truck has put on since its formation in October 2009 has been free to the public at various events and happenings throughout the city. They show up in a truck or trucks (hence, the name) and surprise and engage the crowd with their dance pieces, providing access to impressive performing arts…

Atlanta’s art scene is inspiring, unique, flourishing and ever-changing. Yet, some city dwellers aren’t quite sure how to experience it or look deeper beyond gallery exhibit openings and the occasional review in the Journal-Constitution. Burnaway, an online arts publication (and 501c3) headquartered in Grant Park, launched in 2008 with the purpose of educating and engaging the community. “It’s an entry point that’s wide enough for people to get involved and not be intimidated,” said editor-in-chief and co-founder Jeremy Abernathy. “Our mission is to provide access to the arts, but to always …

Some people just daydream about the jobs they want. Others take action, sending in resumes and making follow-up phone calls. But one 17-year-old boy took a totally different approach: just show up and start working. Last spring, Cameron Stephens set his mind on getting a job at the East Atlanta Farmers Market, so he began showing up (not just on time, but early!) and helped unload produce from trucks and set up tents for three straight weeks. “I wanted a job,” said the rising junior at Maynard H. Jackson High School, who, despite his bold move, is actually very shy. “It seemed like a cool …

The East Atlanta Library is growing up!  The “youngest” of all the 34 Atlanta-Fulton public libraries is turning 6 and will celebrate with a birthday party this Saturday, complete with cake, punch and a surprise puppet show by puppeteer Gina Root and her students. The library is one of those landmarks that truly exemplifies how the East Atlanta Village rallies to better the neighborhood. “The East Atlanta library branch is a great example of how the community got together and said, ‘We love our library now but need a bigger space that better suits our needs,’” said Kelly Robinson, public …

Dog fighting, animal neglect, backyard breeding: all touchy, disheartening subjects. But luckily, there are plenty of feel-good stories in the form of organizations working tirelessly to combat these issues. One of these is Animal Rescue Assistance, a two-year-old organization that aims to reduce the number of unwanted pets through educational spay/neuter programs and financial assistance (when necessary) to those who need to re-home their pets or rescued pets. Its other component is Atlanta Bully Rescue (ABR), a nonprofit, 501c3 shelter that takes in pit bull and bully breeds and/or finds …

If there’s one thing you should be educated about before diving in, it's home ownership. After all, it may be the biggest and most important purchase of your life. The Reynoldstown-based nonprofit, Resources for Residents and Communities wants to make sure you’re prepared…for free or cheap.  The 501(c)(3) was founded in 1989 and takes a unique, holistic approach to community development through educating and empowering residents. The HomeBuyer Education Workshops take place bi-monthly (there is one this Friday, June 10) and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., they cover everything from the mortgage loan …