The YMCA of Metro Atlanta has launched a new scholarship program that recognizes young leaders across its numerous centers.

The scholarships, totaling $14,000, are awarded to YMCA-employed teens who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership and community involvement, said a press release.

They are funded through the Schoen Foundation Scholarship Endowment, which invested $1 million to establish the initiative, with additional support from The Chick-fil-A Foundation and the Robert F. Wharton Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Receiving the inaugural award was Decatur resident Joi Ector (Southern University and A&M College student and graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School), who was named the “2025 Teen Legacy Scholar” for her work at the East Lake Family YMCA.

Nicknamed the “Y Legend,” Ector is renowned for establishing several programs, mentoring youth in her community, along with advocating for education equity and food security through the Children’s Defense Fund.

The other two recipients announced were Melanie Harper (Marist School graduate and current University of Georgia student), who spent more than six years volunteering and working at the Cowart Family YMCA and Camp High Harbour in various roles, as well as Enesii Mwanjabala (Georgia Connections Academy graduate and student at Georgia Gwinnett College), Georgia’s state representative for the YMCA Youth Advocate Program who worked with members of Congress on issues such as youth development and health equity.

“This scholarship recognizes teens who live out the values at the heart of our mission,” said Lauren Koontz, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “These young leaders give back to their communities, lead with character and approach challenges with determination and compassion.”

The scholarship program was introduced during the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s annual “Leadership and Legacy” event.

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In conjunction with their fourth quarterly briefing, The Atlanta Beltline held a World Cup-themed panel on Dec. 11 at The Chandelier Room at Monday Night Garage in West End.

Moderated by local photographer Cam Kirk, the panel featured Beltline President and CEO Clyde Higgins, Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer Dallas Austin, City of Atlanta Director of Initiative and External Relations and interim Director of Showcase Atlanta Lamar Stewart, and Soccer in the Streets founder Kaseem Ladipo. They discussed the Beltline’s role in bolstering small businesses, fostering relationships between locals and World Cup visitors, and maintaining an impact that lasts beyond the sporting event next summer. 

The World Cup is estimated to bring around 300,000 visitors to Atlanta in June and July 2026. As one of 16 host cities, Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including one semifinal. 

By the World Cup, the Beltline will feature 17 miles of continuous trail. Additionally, the Beltline has created 30,000 jobs to date, not including an estimated 40,000 temporary construction jobs. 

“We’ve got to think about what Atlanta’s going to look like in the future,” Higgins said. 

“The World Cup is an economic engine for Atlanta,” explained Kelvin Collins, Vice President of Economic Development for the Atlanta Beltline. The World Cup is one of Atlanta’s largest tourism pushes since the 1996 Olympics, and one that Collins said will “strengthen the city as a global beacon.”

The event at Monday Night Garage maintained an infectious energy that felt genuinely local. Songs by Atlanta-based artists like OutKast and T.I. soundtracked the evening. Attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite soccer team’s jersey, but many took the opportunity to wear sharp, colorful outfits in bold shades. A few younger children slept in their parents’ arms, while others kicked a soccer ball around an alcove adjacent to the bar. 

The event kicked off with a lengthy progress report from a series of Beltline leaders.

For example, the Beltline will launch its Commercial Affordability Consortium and the Beltline Business Facade pARTnership Grant next year. Beltline Vice President Lynette Reed said that affordable housing remains one of the team’s highest priorities as the Beltline approaches completion. Mayor Andre Dickens wants to extend the Beltline’s Tax Allocation Districts through 2030. 

Kim Wilson, Vice President of Design and Construction, announced that 85 percent of the trail is either complete or under construction, and that the Southside trail should be completed by the World Cup next summer. Additionally, two parks on Atlanta’s west side are currently in development. 

Collins unveiled the Beltline Information Hub, a “digital front door” that will help prepare residents and guests for the World Cup matches. Collins also announced the second cohort application of the Small Business Readiness Program, discussed the Beltline Marketplace, and unveiled the Beltline Fest, a free, weeks-long event providing a “connected circuit of celebration.” 

More FIFA 2026 World Cup coverage.

After the updates, Kirk segued into the panel portion of the night. He asked the panelists questions, including what success looks like after the World Cup, how they see Atlanta’s history, music, and culture shaping the city’s identity on a world stage in 2026, citywide prep and planning updates, and how World Cup activations will strengthen the Beltline’s broader mission. 

The brunt of the discussion focused on uplifting small businesses and local creators. Stewart emphasized that plenty of resources are available to small businesses that openly communicate with the city. FIFA Fan Fest, for example, is a state entity, so businesses interested in working the event need to be a supplier within the city, state, and county. Additionally, any business interested in hosting watch parties must obtain a viewing party license through the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. 

“There’s so much out there and we want to help,” Stewart said. 

Kirk and Ladipo also discussed how the Beltline can become a launchpad for youth soccer. Soccer drives economics for local communities, like playing soccer in neighborhood parks and pubs with amateur teams seeking places to regularly host matches.

“We need to show that we don’t need to find a field to play,” Ladipo said. 

Finally, the panel addressed the importance of promoting a variety of communities and actual neighborhoods in Atlanta. The Beltline is intentionally hosting Beltline Fest in the Pittsburgh neighborhood, located in the city’s southwest sector near Castleberry Hill, Adair Park, and Mechanicsville. 

The panel closed with a Q&A. Discussions with audience members ranged from bringing international soccer culture to Atlanta to concrete steps entrepreneurs can take to legally participate in World Cup activations. The panel also addressed how the Beltline’s ongoing projects and World Cup plans are being designed to include the neurodivergent population, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

“The games may happen at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the real magic will happen on the Beltline,” Collins said of the World Cup in Atlanta. 

The post Atlanta Beltline officials discuss preparing the pedestrian trail for the World Cup appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Spreading holiday cheer doesn’t have to end with your own friends and family.

After you’ve trimmed the tree and cleared the Amazon shopping cart, there’s an array of ways to become a Tucker family’s Secret Santa through donations of your time or resources. From toy giveaways to volunteering, Tucker’s nonprofits, government agencies, and local businesses are ensuring all Tucker families feel the love this Christmas season.

Omega Support Center’s 9th Annual Holiday Giveaway

Tucker residents can make the season bright by donating to Omega Support Center’s 9th Annual Holiday Giveaway, which benefits children ages newborn to 18 within the Tucker community. New toys, clothing, and other gifts can be dropped off at the center, located at 2002 Montreal Rd., Suite 100, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The toy drive ends Dec. 20. To donate online, visit the Omega website.

Tucker Parks and Recreation Toy Drive

Tucker Recreation Center is inviting residents to bring new, unwrapped gifts to its annual holiday toy drive up until Dec. 21. Collection boxes will be conveniently placed in the main lobby during operating hours. All donations will go toward making the holiday season brighter for local families. The center is located at 4998 Lavista Rd. 

Good Neighbor Christmas Shop

NETWorks Cooperative Ministry has an alternative approach to the popular Giving Tree concept with its Good Neighbor Christmas Shop. The store caters to low-income families seeking new and/or donated items at prices reduced by between 50 percent to 80 percent. 

“This approach allows families to select gifts that they want and can afford, preserving their dignity and empowering them to provide for themselves during the holiday season,” read a message on NETWorks’ website.

The store will be open at Northlake Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 1625 Cooledge Rd., from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12,  and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. To donate to the gift store, visit the NETworks website.

Wellroot Family Services Christmas

Tucker-based nonprofit Wellroot Family Services supports more than 1,000 children and caregivers through its programming. Wellroot, formerly known as United Methodist Children’s Home, has supported youth seeking a permanent home since 1871. Though its annual Santa’s Shop toy drive has ended for the season, there are still ways to lend a helping hand. Supporters can donate online, mail a check to Wellroot Family Services, 1967 Lakeside Pkwy., Suite 400, Tucker, GA 30084, or
search the Amazon Wish List for gift and general items.

DeKalb County Police Department Winter Clothing Drive

If clearing the closet for good is more your thing, DeKalb County Police Department’s Winter Clothing Drive will be the best bet. From 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 16, residents are welcome to donate new and gently used coats, clothes, and shoes at 1960 West Exchange Pl.

Winter Wishes Toy Giveaway

Tehlirian Law Group, in partnership with 404 ReadyMix and JLAW.Tips Holiday Giveback, will offer hot plates to families, free toys, and interactive holiday activities for the whole family from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at RC Fitnez Studio, located at 1983 Brockett Rd. The event is seeking volunteers to assist with serving food and hosting the hot chocolate bar, ornament-making station, and the Santa photo booth. Sign up to volunteer here.

The post Spread the joy: 6 ways to give back in Tucker this holiday season appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A routine traffic stop by Brookhaven police on Dec. 8 resulted in multiple drug and stolen vehicle arrests.

According to a release by the BPD, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a tinted tag cover that had a dealer plate affixed to the rear of the car.

 “A check of the VIN revealed the vehicle was reported stolen with the Atlanta Police Department,” the release said. “An inventory of the vehicle revealed both occupants were in possession of suspected illegal drugs.”

The female driver, Amani Dirton, 25, of Simpsonville, SC was charged with felony theft by receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of marijuana w/intent to distribute, and misdemeanor traffic charges. The female passenger, Erica Breaux, 27, of Garland, Texas was charged with felony possession w/intent to distribute MDMA, felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

According to DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department records, both were released on bond on Dec. 10.

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DeKalb County School District officials will meet with principals about proper protocol around ICE raids after community members voiced concerns about immigration protocols at a DeKalb County meeting.

During a Dec. 8 DeKalb County School Board meeting, several people spoke out about issues with protecting children and their families in the case of illegal ICE raids. The topic arose after reports that administrators at Doraville’s Sequoyah Middle School advised teachers to remain silent and avoid sharing resources about immigration with families.

Nadia Behizadeh, a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, was the last speaker of the night to denounce Sequoyah’s reported handling of the ICE raids that are affecting many families in the district. A teacher reportedly told Behizadeh that the help hotline for families with questions about ICE had been removed from the school’s website and teachers were instructed not to talk about ICE. The middle school serves more than 1,600 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders in Doraville.

“They were told to focus only on teaching content, and part of the rationale to not talk about what is happening in the community was that talking about ICE was making students feel anxious and unsafe,” Behizadeh said.  “I’m extremely concerned that administrators in a mostly Latino-serving school are misplacing the source of anxiety and harm onto the discussion of the ICE raids instead of placing that squarely where it belongs, on the violent ICE raids themselves.”

In a 2025 publication in the Journal of Community Psychology, Emily Lemon and colleagues found that Latinx youth are experiencing emotional harm from spaces that erase their culture, experiences, and struggles.

Miguel Cano, a student at nearby Chamblee High School, also spoke about the dangers of avoiding a topic that he and other DeKalb County students are grappling with along with their typical academic pressures. 

“All I ask is for you to ensure teachers’ ability to support students and to show them how to protect their rights, because at the end of the day, this problem was made by adults, and children shouldn’t suffer for their actions,” Cano said.

Bridgette Allen, area middle schools superintendent, issued an apology to the families about what she describes as a “school meeting related to immigration, ICE agents, and raids.”

 “We apologize if these discussions caused any unnecessary concern for you or your family,” Allen said in a statement. “District leadership is actively reviewing the nature of these discussions, and we will inform you if any new information becomes available.”

On Dec. 10, the district sent a letter to all district families and staff noting that leadership is reviewing the federal developments, monitoring guidance from state and federal agencies, and ensuring schools have the most current and accurate information. Currently, ICE has not made contact with any DeKalb County Schools, Norman Sauce, interim superintendent, said in a statement.

“We are meeting with principals this week to review district protocols,” Sauce said. “Our school staff is aware that all teaching and discussions must align to Georgia K-12 Standards. Staff have also been reminded that if immigration authorities arrive at a school, they must be directed to the school administrator, who will immediately notify the DCSD Police Department and document the visit.”

In the letter, Sauce encouraged students to speak with their school counselors if they need support.

Camila Chiquiza, a Sequoyah Middle alum who also spoke at the board meeting, said the dangers affecting students calls for a broader revision of protocols related to immigration.

“We are in a crisis. Students and family members are being kidnapped and sent to inhumane detention centers where many have died or disappeared to never be heard from again,” Chiquiza said. “It’s imperative for the school district to revise its protocol and adjust to the dangers affecting our students. The school staff must be aware of the steps to follow if ICE breaks the law, as they often do.”

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