Introducing: The Leaders of Tomorrow

Prospective Volunteer: A lot of people know about ATLAS, right?

Ryan: Yes and no. There are some misperceptions about what we do, likely because we’ve evolved over the past 20 years. Early on, the ministry was more reactive, with a heart to enter the messiness of life with people and help with counseling, paying light bills, that kind of thing. But to be transformative, we have to be proactive. So, our mission now is to grow proficient readers into Christ-centered leaders.

Volunteer: Why focus on kids?

Ryan: We realized we were always going to be playing catchup if our focus was working with only adults. We’d also need more offices for more people in need. Our desire was always to see a community transform. By beginning at birth, we’re able to empower these children to become the transformers — but only if we reach enough of them.

Volunteer: It looks like you’re already reaching a lot of them.

Ryan: It isn’t enough to realize the longterm mission. Not yet. There are roughly 3,400 school-age kids in Greene County. We served 10% of them at ATLAS in 2023. That’s a great number, but research tells us that in order to be transformative on a wide scale we need to impact 20% of them. The good news is we’re maxed out because the word about ATLAS has spread. That’s also the bad news. We have waiting lists, especially for early learners. It’s hard to turn parents away who want their kids to be here so they can learn to be leaders.

Volunteer: Is it realistic to reach 20% of the kids in the county?

Ryan: Look where this building is — we’re next to the middle school and high school. The middle and high school students can walk here, which opens up so many doors to make an impact. But younger kids have to ride buses to get to us. That’s why our expansion project is so important. When it’s complete, we’ll have another facility 400 yards from the new elementary school in town. Those kids will be able to walk to us — or “run” to us. So, yes, we have a big goal, but we serve a big God and I believe he’s working here in Greene County.

Volunteer: Do parents view this as more than an afterschool program?

Ryan: Every parent, regardless of family situation, wants their children to be successful. But no parent can make that happen on their own, especially those who have to work all week. That’s why they see us as partners who share the same goals. Parents know their kids have fun here, but more than that, they see how we’re equipping boys and girls to become readers, and eventually grow into Christ-centered leaders for their future families — and for our community.

Volunteer: Explain what you mean by “our community.”

Ryan: What we’re doing at ATLAS is unifying everyone into one large community, from the rural areas to the city, from the city to the lake, from this school to that school, and to every corner of the county. Our camp program is a great example. About 150 kids attended last year — 75% from Greene County schools and 25% from Lake Oconee Academy (LOA). What’s most powerful is to see high schoolers literally run the camp as part of their leadership training. These counselors are a mix of Greene County and LOA students. They grow together, struggle together, and accomplish something extraordinary together — and they learn that they have more in common than they thought. Together, they’re dismantling stigmas, prejudices, and divisions because they see one another as made in God’s image. That’s how generational cycles are broken.

Volunteer: You don’t tip-toe around your mission, do you?

Ryan: We won’t make any progress if we’re shy about who we are and what we know to be true. God created every person for a purpose. When kids see people of all ages openly speaking that truth and living it out, watch what happens.

Volunteer: What excites you to come here every day?

Ryan: Honestly, I never saw myself doing this. I’d been a principal, dean, and teacher and loved working in education, but one night I was sitting on my porch, asking God for direction, when I received a text about coming to ATLAS. So, I have no doubt this is my calling. And now I’m watching kids lead in ways they never thought possible. How could anyone not be excited to come here?

Volunteer: What do other organizations think of ATLAS?

Ryan: We’re friends and partners with everyone. We aren’t a church and we aren’t a school. So, we can do a lot of church and school functions without the obstacles they face every day. We’re active with LOYA, and they’re active with us. We talk a lot with Dave Thillen because we want these kids to receive scholarships from his foundation. Kids come here and then get on a bus to see Stacy at the Boys and Girls Club. We’re all neighbors, part of one community, part of one transformation that’s good for all of us.