Upcoming Events

Children First, Inc. and Athens-Oconee CASA have partnered with HomeIn5 to bring you the 2nd Annual Candlelight Vigil!

This season’s event sheds much needed light on the true realities of FOSTER CARE here in our own backyard. We are taking physical steps to raise awareness and support for the 280+ children in our local foster care system.

The event begins at 5:30 at First Baptist Church, and participants will walk together, with electric candles in hand, to the Athens courthouse to hear from community leaders and peers on their experiences within our Athens-Oconee foster care system.

This FAMILY- FRIENDLY event will also be offering hot chocolate and fellowship opportunities to approach different booths and hear about local agencies and organizations that devote their everyday lives to the service of children in the foster care system. Stick around and find out more ways that you can be involved in supporting the children in your area!

Whether you want to participate in the walk, be a volunteer, or reserve a slot for your organization to submit an interest form to be emailed with more information. You can also stay updated about the Foster Care Candlelight Vigil on THIS PAGE, where we will be posting more details and surprises to come. Keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter with #Vigil4ChildrenFirstAthens

Bring family and friends for a night downtown Athens walking towards awareness in the name of foster care children. Take the first step to support our local children by joining us at 2nd Annual Candlelight Vigil. We’ll see you there!

Parking will become available at 5PM.

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Previous Events

Reunification Month: Proclamation & Celebration

Monday,  June 10th at 10am at Athens-Clarke County City Hall- 301 College Ave, Athens GA 30601.  Join Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz and our community to celebrate Family Reunification Month! 

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CASA Volunteer Orientation

Tuesday, January 8th  10:30am or 5:30pm @ Children First, Inc - 693 North Pope Street, Athens 30601
Stand up and say #IAmForTheChild in 2019! Come find out more about becoming a CASA Volunteer and speaking up for a child in need.

MLK Day Service Market

We will be at the West Broad Farmers Market on Monday, January 21st with other community partners to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King.  ​During this event, there will be refreshments plus a variety of community organizations with informational tables. This event will include performances by Stella Groove, Kxng Blanco, Cassie Chantel, and We’re Weird highlighting the work and philosophies of MLK through music. There will also be step teams, poetry, and a performance by the Clarke Central Orchestra.
Come hear from keynote speaker Dunta Robinson, is a former NFL player from Athens, GA! Robinson played college ball for the University of South Carolina, and pro ball for the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and Kansas City Chiefs. He will be discussing the value of service to the community.
We are excited to be a part of this community-focused celebration that hopes to bring more unity to the Athens community. The food, the organizations and the entertainment will all come from the Athens community. We hope you will join us in service and celebration on this important day!

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Holiday Pop Up Shop

On December 17th and 18th from 9am-5pm, the families we serve shopped for free for their kids here at Children First. This pop up shop was sponsored by 2nd & Charles. 

Annual Holiday Party

Thank you to everyone that joined us for our Annual Holiday Potluck on Monday, December 10th! We celebrated another year of dedicated service to families in need.  Thank you to our volunteers, board members, and staff for all their hard work in 2018!

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Over the Edge for Kids 2018

On Saturday, August 25th, 2018, many brave volunteers raised $1000 each to go over the edge and repel down the SPARC building on West Broad Street in Athens. The event included live music, food, face painting, and a bouncy house. We had so much fun!