Our History

Foreverfamily was the nation’s first organization, and is still the only nonprofit in Georgia, solely dedicated to helping children who—by no fault of their own—have had to struggle with a unique set of challenges. Too often, these include a sense of shame, anxiety and fear, and social stigma, tied to their parent’s imprisonment—all of which can become evident in deep emotional withdrawal or behavioral outbursts. Since its inception in 1987, Foreverfamily (originally known as AIM) has helped more than 10,000 children, each of whom had their own unique challenges to face. Because of the compassionate care and consistent support provided by Foreverfamily staff and volunteers, the lives of these children have been enriched, if not altogether turned around for the better.

2007

We officially change our name to Foreverfamily.

Our new Heritage Station office opens. This facility is a partnership between Foreverfamily, Capitol Development Group and the Annie E. Casey Atlanta Civic Site, where 3,000 sq. ft. of donated space is used to provide after-school programming that targets children who live in the Pittsburgh neighborhood.

Based on our success and national reputation, foundations like the Annie E. Casey Foundation - along with a number of churches, faith-based organizations, local nonprofits and community residents - help Foreverfamily take our programming model to other cities across the nation, including Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA.

Within our home state of Georgia, we start working with the communities of Bainbridge, Augusta, Savannah, and Albany.

2006

We receive the Allen Award for our community service.

Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters features our work in 30-minute television documentary.

2004

We receive the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award that is co-sponsored by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and Goizueta School of Business.

We are named as a placement agency for Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Sandra Barnhill triumphs over 900 applicants nationwide to become one of 18 winners of the Ford Foundation’s prestigious Leadership for a Changing World Award and a $115,000 agency grant.

CNN Headline News and The Atlanta Journal Constitution feature our family visits to prisons around the holidays, helping us tell our Foreverfamily story.

2003

One of our volunteer staff members, Josita Hartman, receives the National Community Quarterback of the Year Award from the NFL for her demonstration of leadership and dedication in her hometown. In Josita’s name, we receive a $35,000 donation from NFL Charities.

1998

We receive an official commendation at the Annual Catholic Social Services Luncheon for our outstanding work in bringing hope to a culture of violence.

1997

Our leader, Sandra Barnhill, participates in a one-year Annie E. Casey Foundation fellowship to improve community-public system collaborations, state-level programming, and national advocacy efforts designed to support children of incarcerated parents.

1996

We receive the Prevention for a Safer Society Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency for our volunteer efforts on behalf of incarcerated mothers and their families.

1990

We receive a major grant from the Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Three Generations at Risk, a national demonstration project assisting children of incarcerated women, their mothers, and their grandparent caregivers.

1987

Foreverfamily, as Aid to Imprisoned Mothers or AIM, opens its doors.