Inspire Atlanta

We recognize a big part of our journalistic mission is to shine a spotlight on wrongdoings and to hold our public officials accountable. But we also understand the importance of celebrating our region’s moments, milestones and people. That’s exactly what we hope to accomplish with Inspire Atlanta. Each week, Inspire Atlanta will profile a person that makes metro Atlanta a better place in which to live.
Of course, we can’t do this alone: We need your help in finding extraordinary people and identifying inspiring stories across our region. Know someone who inspires you or makes metro Atlanta a better place for others? Email us at InspireAtlanta@ajc.com.

Credit: Phil Skinner

90-year-old ‘sets the bar’ as Peachtree City school crossing guard

Fayette County needs more people to be crossing guards, to cover retirements and when someone calls in sick.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Power of second chances on display at City of Refuge

QuinKnoca Owens is part of a team of formerly incarcerated men who are mentors at Atlanta's City of Refuge program for people re-entering their communities from incarceration.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Businesswoman gives 20 years to setting homeless female addicts on new path

For 20 years, Val Cater's Gilgal residential program for homeless female addicts has helped women find a new path.

Credit: (Photo courtesy of the Penix family)

Love and discipline: Michael Penix Jr. received both from his dad

‘My Dad, that’s my hero,’ says Atlanta's starting quarterback.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Forsyth County clinic offers free medical care with a dose of compassion

Volunteer doctors and nurses have treated everything from the common cold to cancer, with hypertension and diabetes being the most frequently diagnosed.

Credit: Courtesy of Reel South

FROM UATL

Spelman professor wins Peabody Award for health care documentary

Anjanette Levert produced “The Only Doctor” about the sole physician in rural Clay County.

Credit: Phil Skinner

INSPIRE ATLANTA

Standing in the Crossfire: Minister on a mission to uplift Southside children

This former teacher and pastor runs a nonprofit to help children who live at the troubled apartment complex Freedom Park.

Credit: Emory Morsberger

I took thousands of Stone Mountain visitors’ photos as an act of kindness

Atlanta has long welcomed newcomers and rejected hate. Random acts of kindess can support that tradition.

Credit: Ben Hendren

26 veterans to fly out of Atlanta to mark D-Day anniversary in Normandy

World War II veterans are flying a Delta plane out of Atlanta to commemorate the 81st anniversary of D-Day in France.

Credit: Phil Skinner

YMCA adaptive swim program gives kids with disabilities a chance to learn

The adaptive swim program at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta uses 1-on-1 lessons to help children with varied levels of physical, cognitive and developmental abilities

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Running on faith: A Woodstock couple’s journey to health and hope

Nicole and Christopher Russell have lost more than 150 pounds with the help of Northside Hospital's Bariatric Program. Now, they're preparing for the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

Credit: spe

Best Buddies fosters friendships

Credit: Phil Skinner

Retiree finds her niche at food bank

Retiree Tonni Gillis wears gloves and a coat even on warm days, as her volunteer work at the Atlanta Community Food Bank is managing the facility's refrigerated goods.

Credit: spec

Newton nurses, community send teen with cancer to the prom

Credit: Special to the AJC

Style, sparkle and support: Prom Closet removes financial barriers for some North Springs students

This year, North Springs High School in Sandy Springs offered a Prom Closet with new and gently used gowns, suits, accessories and more — with some gowns costing just $5.

Credit: Photo courtesy of GEM, Girls Empowerment Movement

Girls challenging girls: Let’s get physical

GEM, the Girls Empowering Movement, is a program where middle school girls help their peers to become more physically active.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Woman goes from homeless to hopeful with help from Atlanta nonprofit

‘I just knew I needed to get my kids to a safe space,’ she says after being displaced in Chicago

Credit: Phil Skinner

Douglas County student has his choice of 60-plus colleges, offers of $1.5 million in scholarships

Credit: Phil Skinner

Decatur rehab giving second chance to birds, purpose and fun to volunteers

Credit: Phil Skinner

Inspire Atlanta

90-year-old ‘sets the bar’ as Peachtree City school crossing guard

Power of second chances on display at City of Refuge

Businesswoman gives 20 years to setting homeless female addicts on new path

Love and discipline: Michael Penix Jr. received both from his dad

Forsyth County clinic offers free medical care with a dose of compassion

Spelman professor wins Peabody Award for health care documentary

Standing in the Crossfire: Minister on a mission to uplift Southside children

I took thousands of Stone Mountain visitors’ photos as an act of kindness

26 veterans to fly out of Atlanta to mark D-Day anniversary in Normandy

YMCA adaptive swim program gives kids with disabilities a chance to learn

Running on faith: A Woodstock couple’s journey to health and hope

Best Buddies fosters friendships

Retiree finds her niche at food bank

Newton nurses, community send teen with cancer to the prom

Style, sparkle and support: Prom Closet removes financial barriers for some North Springs students

Girls challenging girls: Let’s get physical

Woman goes from homeless to hopeful with help from Atlanta nonprofit

Douglas County student has his choice of 60-plus colleges, offers of $1.5 million in scholarships

Decatur rehab giving second chance to birds, purpose and fun to volunteers

True friendship grows from senior helping seniors