Families’ First
This local non-profit was founded on the Spelman campus, in 1890. Their purpose is to to serve the needs of children and families throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area. The organization is setting a lofty goal to become the first source for any family requiring assistance.
Recently, they have worked with Jones Pierce to expand into a new home. The new location is back near their roots on the Westside. It is only a mile from where the first organization was founded. By 2020, they hope to expand their capabilities to help 200,000 families per year.
About The Design
Previously, the building was home to the E.R. Carter School. E.R Carter School was Atlanta’s first African-American public school in Washington Park. After renovation, the building now contains offices, semi-public and private meeting spaces, training rooms, activity rooms, and rooms for use by the neighboring community. The site also includes outdoor play areas and meeting spaces. Throughout the structure, there is ample light along with visual connections to the exterior, sculptural mill-work. The building also contains expressive materials and objects, such as a custom stained-glass donor wall.
Finished Photos

This stained-glass donor wall celebrates the $13.3 million fund-raising campaign that made the project possible.
Read the previous blog post to view Families’ First under construction: