KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 30, 2024

In a world in which education has the transformative power to unlock the doors to a brighter future, American Opportunity Foundation (AOF) stands as a beacon of hope for Kennesaw State University students.

Since 2017, AOF has provided more than $1 million in support of KSU’s Campus Awareness, Resource & Empowerment (CARE) Services and the ASCEND program, profoundly impacting college students facing basic needs insecurities and those who experienced homelessness or foster care in high school.

Kathy Walker, AOF CFO and trustee, recalls the foundation’s initial foray into philanthropy within metro Atlanta.

“In the fall of 2016, our board sought ways to impact communities close to home,” Walker explained.

Recognizing education as a critical factor in breaking the cycle of poverty, Walker was tasked with crafting a charitable giving program. Her daughter, then a KSU student, introduced her to the pressing issue of homeless students on campus.

The revelation led Walker to Assistant Vice President for Student Wellbeing Marcy Stidum, who founded CARE Services at KSU. With an initial gift of $45,000 to sponsor a two-bedroom dorm and two $15,000 scholarship funds, AOF’s partnership with KSU began.

“Through their commitment to CARE, AOF is transforming the lives of youth who have experienced homelessness and the foster care system,” said Director of CARE Services Lauren Padgett. “The support of AOF means students served by CARE have access to essential basic needs, such as stable housing, as they pursue their higher education dreams. We are honored to call AOF part of our Kennesaw State family.”

“To be able to directly benefit these students who have endured so much and overcome so many obstacles is truly a blessing,” Walker said.

CARE Services and the ASCEND program provide essential support, ensuring students can focus on their studies without the constant worry of where they will sleep or find their next meal. Will Fisher, American Opportunity Foundation trustee, emphasized the significance of this work.

“Education is a key driver for economic mobility,” Fisher explained. “The support we provide helps remove barriers, allowing students to fulfill their potential.”

In 2022, AOF made a $250,000 gift to endow one of the three ASCEND houses on the Marietta Campus. The American Opportunity Foundation CARE ASCEND Home was celebrated at a naming ceremony in March 2024 in honor of AOF’s contributions.

The foundation’s support and confidence in the work of CARE Services has grown steadily. In 2023, AOF made a $100,000 gift to establish the ASCEND Center, a national training, research, and accreditation program focused on basic needs insecurities on college campuses.

Fisher envisions a future in which such programs are no longer necessary yet acknowledges many students’ ongoing challenges.

“Ideally, CARE Services and ASCEND would become obsolete,” said Fisher. “Understanding that poverty and food insecurity will never completely go away, our goal is to see these programs thrive nationwide, as this is a higher education issue, not just a KSU issue.”

CARE Services is recognized as a national model for servicing students experiencing basic needs insecurities and is sought-after by other institutions seeking to replicate its success. The ASCEND Center helps colleges and universities across the country increase capacity and improve services for students with basic needs insecurities.

“The ASCEND Center is making a real difference,” Walker noted. “It’s inspiring to be part of a group so passionate about helping students at KSU and beyond.”

Despite the immense success CARE Services and the ASCEND program have experienced, challenges remain. Walker highlights the need for increased funding to address growing demand.

“There is a waitlist of students for the ASCEND program, demonstrating the pressing challenges that students continue to face as they’re pursuing their academic dreams,” she said. “As word of the program spreads, the need for staff and resources will only increase.”

Both Walker and Fisher hope that an endowment will one day sustain these initiatives, ensuring that resources will always be available for KSU students in need.

In partnering with KSU, AOF not only provides immediate aid but also fosters a community of resilience and hope. Its generosity and vision offer a compelling example of how philanthropy can change lives and inspire future generations to give back, creating a cycle of empowerment and opportunity.

– Story by Elyssa Reed

Photo by Judith Pishnery

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.