News

Vision 2020

October 21-22, 2010 - Stronghold Co-founder, Morgan Coffey will represent the state of Georgia at Vision 2020, American Conversation on Women and Leadership at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pa.  Coffey will be joining Connie Lindsey (President of Girl Scouts USA), Carol Williams (Montana State Senator), Catherine Lamboley (Shell Oil Co. - Senior VP) and other delegates to participate in each of the eight American Conversations and as a group create an Agenda for Action—measurable goals that will be worked upon in the decade from the close of the American Conversation until 2020.

 Stronghold  founder to participate in GSUSA panel discussion

August 11, 2010 - Stronghold Co-founder, Morgan Coffey will participate in a panel discussion at GSUSA Headquarters in New York.  If you would like to attend email: whatifgirlsrantheworld@girlscouts.org

RBC Bank and Stronghold Atlanta present Financial Literacy Class

June 15, 2010 - Stronghold and RBC presented a financial literacy class for women in Dunwoody.  Other sponsors include: PostNet, New Hope Church of Dunwoody and Chick-fil-A.

Atlanta Business Radio interviews Alisa Coffey, ED of Stronghold Atlanta

June 2, 2010 -  "On today’s show we opened with Alisa Coffey, Executive Director of Stronghold Atlanta, an organization that connects women and children who have been victims of domestic violence with HELP: Healing, Empowerment, Love and Protection. This amazing non-profit was founded by Alisa and her daughter Morgan." - Lee Kantor and Amy Otto   http://www.atlantabusinessradio.com/

Gwinnett Braves recognizes Stronghold founder as "10th Man"

May 16, 2010 - Morgan Coffey was named the "10th Man" and raised the flag before the Gwinnett Braves played the Le High Valley Iron Pigs.  The 10th man recognizes people who are extraordinary in the community.  After Morgan became the Girl Scout USA's National Young Woman of Distinction recipient  for her Gold Award project and work with Stronghold, the Gwinnett Braves recognized her with 10th Man Award. It is given to persons who "Best Embody the Spirit of Gwinnett." The Braves take great pride in both their community and their fans and therefore honor one citizen who has taken their responsibilities above and beyond the norm before select home games.

A Day of Hope

May 15, 2010 - We participated in the first ever Day of Hope Celebration at the Gwinnett Fair Grounds in Duluth.  Our youth advisory board and some of our directors were on site to give hope to many who needed it.  We handed out water bottles, painted faces, offered assistance and talked to hundreds of people about the realities of domestic violence. 

Pictured L to R : Madison, Morgan, Chris, Steven, Alisa, Irene and Mark

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Annual Meetings and Ribbon Cutting

May 2, 2010 - Morgan Coffey, founder of Stronghold Atlanta, had the opportunity to speak on behalf of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta at their spring events (the annual meeting to stakeholders, the volunteer recognitions meeting and the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new building in Mableton).  On each occasion she was able to share what Girl Scouts had done in her own life and how it has affected her decisions to work on domestic violence issues.  She talked about the importance of finding a passion and the venues Girl Scouts provided her to accomplish just that.  At the annual meeting Coffey concluded by saying, "I want the world to see that I changed their world, because Girl Scouts changed mine."

End Violence Against Women(EVAW) International Conference

April 21, 2010 - After our founders attended the speakers banquet the previous evening, Morgan Coffey, also director at large, addressed the End Violence Against Women conference.  She addressed a group of 650 people about the mountain of unmet needs facing victims of domestic violence and the potential for youth to be a part of the solution.

Do Something - Social Action Boot Camp

March 13, 2010 - SAYAB traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to attend Do Something's Social Action Boot Camp!  They learned all about how to successfully run a non-profit, by participating in seminars like: how to speak in public, how to talk to potential donors, online communications, corporate sponsors, PR, recruiting and and managing volunteers and forming and optimizing partnerships

L to R: Irene, Madison C, Sarah, Madison K, Morgan, Aidan

Other Support from Ford Motor Company and Delta Sigma Theta

February 2010 - Because of her work with Girl Scouts and Stronghold Atlanta, our founder, Morgan Coffey, was awarded the Ford Blue Oval Scholarship to continue her education at Oglethorpe University. "At OU the motto is: Make a life. Make a living. Make a difference. The Ford Blue Oval scholarship has enabled me to continue my education so that I can make a difference daily. So far, I’ve been able to use classes such as Social Enterprise and Writing for Business to benefit Stronghold Atlanta. Thank you, Ford Motor Company Fund!”   says Coffey.   www.ford.com/our-values/ford-fund-community-service

Girl Scouts USA names founder, National Young Woman of Distinction

February 2010 - Girl Scouts USA named Morgan Coffey, a 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction for her work to end Domestic Violence and her Gold Award project, which addressed a few specific victim needs. On February 27, 2010, Coffey was invited to St. Louis, MI to speak to the National Board of Directors and all of the council CEO’s nationwide. On founding Stronghold Atlanta, she explained "When I looked at the issues surrounding abuse,  I realized that there was a mountain of unmet needs - and I decided to do something about this..."