About Company

Brief History

In 1968, Max Johnson, Roger MacKenzie, and Stanley Blackman spearheaded the establishment of a Christian social services agency similar to Agape of Nashville, TN. A board of directors was elected and on August 8, 1968, Georgia Association for Guidance, Aid, Placement and Empathy, Inc was incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia. The agency became known as Georgia Agape, Inc.

By the first of 1970, a plan for financial support was established; an executive director and secretary were hired; and an office, provided by Loftin Phillips, owner of Northwest Exterminating Co., and member at Smyrna, was opened.

In its 1973 construction expansion, the Smyrna church included an office building for Agape.

Smyrna/Burnt Hickory Church’s History with Georgia Agape

The Smyrna congregation was the inspiration behind AGAPE for a long time. This congregation led the way in getting the agency started and in the agency’s growth in the early years.
Stanley Blackman, the minister of the Smyrna congregation, served as the President of the Agape Board of Directors for the first seven years, from 1968-1975.
For 21 years the Smyrna congregation provided the office space for the AGAPE offices from 1973-1994. The church then built an office building adjacent to the church for AGAPE. After this, the Agape office moved to its present location off of Mercer University Drive.
The Smyrna congregation built a house in 1973 to be used to care for children by Agape called Harbor House. This was used by Agape for about 25 years. Bob and Barbara Walker served as Harbor House houseparents for many years.
Dot Landers began working for Agape in 1971 and retired in 1990. She then served on the Agape Board of Directors for 6 years. She was truly the champion of our ministry. In honor of Dot’s legacy, the Board established the “Dot Landers Service Award” in 1990 which is given to those who significantly help the agency forward its mission. “Miss Dot,” as she was affectionately called, was the one person instrumental in Agape moving forward over the years. She was described as the hub of the agency! Virtually every service revolved around her in some way. Burton Landers also served on the AGAPE Board of Directors as did many from the Smyrna/Burnt Hickory congregation.

Present Day….

Georgia Agape weathered the worldwide pandemic and its many challenges. While it came with many obstacles, the pandemic also presented just as many opportunities. As an organization, we continue to pivot, adjust and embrace the post-pandemic environment while creating new modes of service delivery. With still over 11,000 children in the foster care system in Georgia, we must find new and innovative ways to meet the need. There are families in crisis who depend on our ability to do so.

At Agape, we continue to offer services in the areas of foster care, adoption and maternity services across the great state of Georgia. We deliver best practices with compassionate hearts. Our national accreditation from the Council of Accreditation and quarterly state audits ensure stellar service delivery and agency accountability in both practice and results. As we continue to serve our community, we can only do so with the continued partnership and support of others.

As the Executive Director, I envision serving more and more of our state's most vulnerable members. With qualified, professional and caring staff, foster and adoptive families, we assist in strengthening families, impacting reunification, creating new family units and participating in the creation of stronger communities. With support and God, all things are possible.

Council on Accreditation

Georgia Agape initially sought national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA) in early 2016. COA, as it is often referred to, is a national accrediting body that offers a "process as an independent, objective, and reliable verification that organizations and programs qualify for the confidence and support of their stakeholders." With pillars of its mission ensuring that agencies deliver quality services to clients, inspire public trust and confidence, demonstrate compliance and ensure continuous quality, COA accreditation communicates an organization's commitment to excellence. Using a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s or program’s administrative functions and service delivery practices, COA confirms and affirms an organization's delivery of best practices. In March 2024, Agape received its successful re-accreditation with zero deficiencies - a major feat. Moving forward, Agape strives to continue delivering excellent services while continuously committed to improvement and growth.

Sisterly Love & Fun

Sibling Groups