Community voting beginning September 1 can help determine the size of Waymark’s grant award and expand support for youth impacted by foster care and the families who care for them
Waymark, a Cobb County-based nonprofit serving youth and young adults impacted by foster care, has been named one of five regional winners in the 2027 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards.
The recognition is a significant honor for Waymark, which was founded in Cobb County in 2009 and remains headquartered in Marietta today. For more than 16 years, the organization has helped youth from foster, adoptive, kinship and group-home settings build meaningful relationships, develop confidence and prepare for adulthood through camps, mentoring, life and job skills training, and ongoing support.
Beginning September 1, members of the community can support Waymark by voting through the Chick-fil-A App. Voting will remain open throughout the month of September, and community support can help determine the size of Waymark’s final grant award.
“This is an incredible honor for Waymark and a reflection of the young people, families, volunteers and community partners who have been part of our work since we began here in Cobb County in 2009,” said Tasha Whitener, Executive Director of Waymark. “We are especially grateful for the opportunity to have our home community rally behind Waymark. Every vote represents encouragement for young people who deserve strong relationships, practical opportunities and a community that believes in their future.”
Waymark’s mission is to help youth impacted by foster care experience the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Through relationship-based, trauma-informed programming, Waymark helps young people strengthen resilience and belonging while gaining practical skills in areas such as financial literacy, career readiness, healthy relationships, leadership and independent living.
A larger True Inspiration Awards grant would allow Waymark to expand its continuum of support for youth impacted by foster care and the families and caregivers who care for them, helping more young people access camps, consistent mentoring, life and job skills training, and year-round relational support as they prepare for adulthood.
How to Vote for Waymark
Voting opens September 1 and takes place in the Chick-fil-A App throughout September.
- Sign in to your Chick-fil-A One® account, or create a free account in the Chick-fil-A App.
- Select “For You” at the bottom of the screen.
- Look for the True Inspiration Awards card.
- Select “Vote Now.”
- Choose the appropriate region (South East)
- Cast your vote for Waymark.
“We are so grateful to the Cobb community that has supported Waymark from the very beginning,” said Doug Whitener, Director of Development for Waymark. “We hope our community will rally behind Waymark again by voting in September and helping us spread the word. Every vote can help increase the size of this grant and, ultimately, help us reach more youth, young adults, families and caregivers with the relationships, resources and support they need.”
About Waymark
Founded in Cobb County in 2009, Waymark is a faith-driven nonprofit based in Marietta, Georgia, serving youth and young adults impacted by foster care and supporting the families and caregivers who walk alongside them. Through camps, mentoring, life and job skills training, and year-round relational support, Waymark helps young people build healthy relationships, develop practical skills, strengthen resilience, and move toward adulthood with greater confidence, purpose, hope and belonging. Waymark also equips and encourages foster, adoptive and kinship families and caregivers through supportive community, trauma-informed resources, and connections designed to help strengthen the network of care surrounding each young person.
Waymark partners with foster and adoptive families, kinship caregivers, group homes, churches, businesses, nonprofits and community organizations throughout metro Atlanta and Georgia to create a continuum of support for youth, young adults and the people who care for them, helping ensure they have meaningful relationships, practical resources and a community committed to walking alongside them through the challenges and opportunities of foster care and the transition to adulthood. For more information about Waymark, visit www.waymarkfoster.org.
About the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards
Established in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, the True Inspiration Awards recognize and support nonprofit organizations creating meaningful change in their communities. Chick-fil-A supports organizations working in the areas of Caring for People, Caring for Communities, Caring for Others through Food, and Caring for our Planet.
