We strengthen children in
foster care and empower the families
who care for them.

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Our Mission

Bloom strengthens foster children and empowers the families who care for them.

Our Vision

Every child has a safe, nurturing family.

Our Values

A nationally-recognized and accredited 501(c)3 non-profit located in Fayetteville, GA, Bloom connects the community to evidence-based, outcome-driven programs that support and strengthen the lives of vulnerable children and their families.

Our programs are based upon the conviction that….

Each child is an individual, with the right to the kind of care that meets his/her needs regardless of sex, race, creed, national origin or social circumstance.

It is important to preserve and strengthen the child’s relationship with family members, when possible.

Each youth has a right to stability, security, continuity, and a plan for permanence.

OUR HISTORY

Bloom has been helping children since 1986.

1986

Bloom (formerly known as Fayette Youth Protection Homes) was founded by local resident and airline pilot Jim Friday. After serving on the jury of a domestic violence case, Jim 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 to offer abused children a safe place to live. Jim and a small group of citizens incorporated as the Fayette Youth Protection Home and began plans to raise funds to build a safe place to live for child abuse victims.

1989

The organization’s first group home, the Jim Friday Home, opened its doors in August of 1989. With accommodations for up to 12 children, the home would offer refuge to hundreds of children in need.

1998

Bloom broke ground on a second residential group home in Brooks, GA. With the opening of the Asden Johnson Home in August of 1998, program capacity doubled. The Johnson Home was similar in design to the Friday Home and provided shelter for children ages 6 through 17.

2007

Bloom created the Bloom Foster Parent Program to recruit, train, and oversee foster families. Bloom 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 up 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.

2015

Bloom became licensed to serve medically fragile and therapeutic foster children, as well as pregnant (or parenting) teen girls living in foster care.

2017

Bloom launched a new program, called “Bloom University,” which trains and equips foster families to care for traumatized children.

2019

Bloom’s Foster Parenting program provided homes for more than 100 abused and neglected children, and over 4,500 foster children traveled to The Bloom Closet from 90 Georgia counties to receive free clothing and supplies.
After running a successful capital campaign, Bloom opened a Volunteer & Donation Center around the corner from The Bloom Closet.

2021

Bloom purchased and launched The Bloom Closet Express, a 20’ fashion delivery truck, in order to reach foster children living in underserved areas of the state.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board, consisting of individuals representing a wide array of industries, governs the Bloom organization. These individuals volunteer their time and talent to oversee the continued operation of Bloom. They also work directly with management to determine policy and future programs for the organization. Their function is to protect and enhance Bloom’s capacity to serve the community.