Fulton County

School going above and beyond to help students and families in need

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta high school is looking out for students and their families.

They’re helping hundreds of people with essential needs.

Alethia Mitchell says you can’t know what it’s like unless you’ve lived it.

“Growing up like that and seeing other people have to go through it is traumatizing,” the 9th grader told Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen.

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She’s talking about going hungry or not having enough clothing.

But students at Benjamin Banneker High School in Fulton County who face those challenges are getting help.

“Our center steps in and we support these kids so the teaching and learning can actually take place,” Program Coordinator Igola Jordan said.

On Wednesday school administrators and community partners relaunched and expanded Banneker’s Student and Family Engagement Center, also known as S.A.F.E.

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It provides free groceries, clothes, hygiene products, laundry facilities, and even a barber shop and mental health counseling for all who need it.

“This is not just about the students. It’s a community. It’s families. If they see a school in their neighborhood, they should look at it as a beacon of hope,” Principal Dr. Jason Stamper said.

Mitchell says it certainly is, and it’s doing so much good.

“This is really big. They can take what they need and go home with it. They won’t go hungry,” Mitchell said.

The county school system also opened a S.A.F.E. Center in December at Tri-Cities High School in East Point and will open one at North Springs High in Sandy Springs in a few weeks.

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