For the past 35 years, Bloom Our Youth has made the well-being of foster children its number one priority. Although the programs and resources provided through Bloom may have changed over the years, the commitment to make an impact on children in need has always remained the same. Since its inception, Bloom has been guided by the principles and purpose that its founder, the late Jim Friday, intended.
After serving on the jury of a domestic violence case, Jim Friday became concerned when he discovered there was no safe place to shelter child abuse victims in the area besides a youth detention facility. Jim spearheaded a grassroots movement in Fayette County, initially called Fayette Youth Protection Homes, to offer abused children a safe place to live. The organization’s first group home, the Jim Friday Home, opened in August 1989 and accommodated 12 children.
Over the years, Bloom has significantly expanded and now serves thousands of children across Georgia. This year, Bloom will celebrate 35 years of service to foster children in need. Some of the milestones achieved include:
1998
• Bloom opened a second residential group home in Brooks, GA, the Asden Johnson Home.
2007
• Bloom created the Bloom Foster Parent Program and became licensed to recruit, train, and support a network of family foster care homes to serve children of all ages.
2009
• Bloom Executive Director Becky Davenport started a free clothing resource center called the Bloom Closet in the office basement.
2013
• SMC3 donated an 8,000-square-foot building located at 150 Marquis Dr., Fayetteville, GA, to Bloom, which became the headquarters for The Bloom Closet.
2019
• Bloom opened a Volunteer and Donation Center around the corner from The Bloom Closet.
2021
• Bloom purchased and launched The Bloom Closet Express, a 20-foot fashion delivery truck, to reach foster children living in underserved areas of the state.
“Since 1989, Bloom has been a pillar of the community, providing clothing and essentials to foster children in need,” said Becky Davenport, CEO of Bloom. “We are grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone and proud of all we have accomplished over the past 35 years. None of this would be possible without the commitment and support of our long-standing partners, local organizations, and volunteers. Thank you to all those who have been part of our journey, and we look forward to serving each and every foster child in Georgia with the love and care they deserve.”