When you think of February 14 do you think of…candy? Chocolate? Big red balloons and flowers? Whether you’re counting down the days or would prefer to not leave your covers, this date typically elicits strong emotions. But what if that’s because we’re thinking about it all wrong?

We are grateful to our January 2017 volunteers.

I started working at AVLF about three years ago. Five days into my employment, I was standing on the 16th floor of King & Spalding, watching in bewilderment as two people deftly constructed a 10-foot stiletto shoe out of hundreds of red balloons.

Congratulations to AVLF Board Member Jeff Nix, partner at Taylor English, for receiving an award from the Legal Services Corporation for his commitment to pro bono legal services in Georgia.

Founded in 2016, Gather Good shares stories about people, causes, events, and resources that create stronger communities throughout Atlanta. Their vision is to celebrate a social sector that openly collaborates, connects, innovates, and shares with one another.

Goodwill of North Georgia’s Good Works Show is a weekly radio show that highlights leaders and organizations making a positive impact on our community. On February 4, Michael Lucas was a featured guest.

The Fourth Annual AVLF PurSHOEing Justice, which is presented by Esquire Deposition Solutions and benefits AVLF’s Safe Families Office, will feature a giant silent auction, exciting vendors, excellent food and drink, and a dynamic guest of honor.

A Standing with Our Neighbors client met with AVLF, and her eye was horribly swollen and red. She was experiencing a range of adverse symptoms that twice sent her to the ER. Her children were also experiencing eye and breathing problems.

In early January, AVLF added two new staff members to our Safe & Stable Families Project. Please meet Joel Correa and Cynthia Padilla.

We are pleased to announce that Members of the Family Law Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia are hosting the 11th Annual Supreme Cork to benefit AVLF.

We are grateful to our December 2016 volunteers.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently featured AVLF’s Standing with Our Neighbors initiative on their blog. We are so proud of this partnership – and we’re pleased that they are, too!