Originally published by SaportaReport in collaboration with Atlanta Way 2.0, written by United Way’s Interim Chief Community Impact Officer Alvin Glymph
When I think about what it means for a child to truly thrive, I don’t just picture test scores or graduation rates. I picture a child walking into a school where they feel seen, supported and safe. I picture families who know they’re not alone — who feel the strength of a community standing beside them. I picture neighborhoods where opportunity isn’t a privilege for a few, but a promise for all.
That’s the vision that International Community School (ICS) is working toward. And at the heart of that vision is the Child Well-Being Index (CWBI): A tool developed by United Way of Greater Atlanta that serves as the heartbeat of our regional strategy. The CWBI is more than a set of numbers. It’s a mirror, reflecting the lived experiences of families across our region. It helps us understand where needs are the greatest — and where our collective love, labor and leadership can make the biggest difference.
In DeKalb County, that difference is coming to life in powerful ways. ICS, a school that serves more than 500 students from families representing over 60 nationalities and 31 languages, is leading a bold transformation. In 2025, ICS became the first elementary school in Metro Atlanta, and possibly in the entire state of Georgia, to fully embrace the Community School Model.
Now, if you’re not familiar with this model, let me tell you: It’s a game-changer.
A community school is more than a place where students learn. It’s a hub of opportunity. It’s where academics are integrated with health and social services, youth development and family engagement. It’s where children are nurtured, families are supported and communities are strengthened.
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At ICS, this means students are surrounded by a network of care. They learn in classrooms that honor their cultures and languages. Their families are connected to the resources they need to thrive. And the school itself becomes a neighborhood anchor — a place of hope and healing in the heart of Clarkston and Stone Mountain.
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of a powerful partnership between ICS, United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Metro Regional Education Service Agency. Together, we used the CWBI to guide the process. When we layered CWBI data over ICS’s enrollment heatmap, we could see exactly where families live and what challenges they face. That insight helped us target resources, build trust and design solutions that meet people where they are.
But this isn’t just about one school. It’s about building a movement.
The 2023 CWBI highlights high-need communities across our region, and we’re responding with urgency and care. We’re investing in direct services, strengthening systems and supporting grassroots innovation. We’re showing what’s possible when we center children, families and communities in everything we do.
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Because at the end of the day, child well-being isn’t just a policy goal. It’s a moral imperative. It’s about making sure every child, regardless of their zip code or circumstance, has the chance to dream big, to be seen and to reach their full potential.
Here’s how you can be part of this movement:
- Partner with us: If you’re a school, nonprofit, or community leader, let’s work together to improve Child Well-Being in all neighborhoods.
- Support the work: Your donation to United Way of Greater Atlanta helps us expand this model and deepen our impact.
- Learn more: Explore the Child Well-Being Index and see how data is driving change.
Let’s keep building. Let’s keep believing. And let’s keep showing our children that they are worthy of every opportunity this world has to offer.