“What a Beautiful Thing to Support”: One Donor’s Commitment to Sharing Hope with Women across the Country

Kathleen Hall’s heart for women in need stretches from coast to coast. 

Kathleen was born and raised in Atlanta, but she’s explored different states across the United States while working as a travel agent. Wherever she’s lived, philanthropy has been a priority. 

In California, she connected with local women’s shelters to support women in need. Now enjoying her retirement in Florida, she’s pouring into efforts near home while looking to support charities in the Atlanta area.

“I’m involved with a lot of groups – women’s clubs, garden clubs, things of that sort. I’ve always been a person who’s been charity-minded,” Kathleen explained. “I’ve been involved in California and Georgia and now here in Florida with different causes that are close to my heart.”

Family keeps Kathleen tied to the Atlanta area, and she’s passionate about supporting organizations that are giving back to the place where she grew up. 

She first connected with Home of Hope and Executive Director Maureen Kornowa because of her cousin, a personal friend of Maureen.

“Through getting to know Maureen and finding out about Home of Hope, [Home of Hope] became close to my heart,” she said. “I started reading about it on social media. Then I started looking into it and talking to people, and I decided that would be a good place to start [getting involved].”

After her initial donation, Kathleen continued learning more about the needs of women and children in Gwinnett County and Home of Hope’s philosophy to meet these needs. She now aims to visit Home of Hope at least once a year and attend annual fundraisers whenever her schedule allows. 

“It’s overwhelming when I go there and see what they do,” she said. “It’s something that I want to be a part of and totally support.”

Kathleen knows that every family in Gwinnett County doesn’t have the same foundation for success, and she’s grateful Home of Hope meets women wherever they are and helps them develop vital skills to build a successful future for themselves and their children. 

“Children were sleeping in cars, but when they go in [to Home of Hope], each of them gets a family suite to stay in with their mom. They each get their own comforter and pillow and blanket, and some of these kids haven’t had that,” she shared. “[The staff] really focuses on creating a welcoming environment.

“If women follow what they learn there, it will totally change their lives. They can have a new beginning.”

For others looking to give back to their community, Kathleen hopes they’ll consider supporting Home of Hope.

“It’s such a worthwhile, life-changing program,” she said. “It’s something that I feel good about being a part of.”