Helping Families

What is Family Stabilization?

A 4^th grader at a CCSD elementary school experienced a major health crisis resulting in a month-long hospitalization. The student’s dad is a single father without transportation of his own, working a construction job to make ends meet. Several days of work were lost, due to supporting his student’s hospitalization, and juggling the finances and the emotional toll. This unexpected loss of income resulted in compounding hardships.

Thanks to donors like Cobb EMC Foundation and many others, the Cobb Schools Foundation is able to provide family stabilization grants to some of our families in crisis. The fund was established with the intent to support unexpected financial losses due to extraordinary circumstances.

Last year we supported 140 students throughout the Cobb County School District by providing afterschool scholarships, housing assistance, or filling in for food insecurities. Nearly 50,000 students throughout the school district are considered economically disadvantaged, which is where this fund can be critical in preventing homelessness or providing a safe environment for students after school.

If you would like to help us support more families like this one you can donate here.

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Gerald Shelton Perseverance Award

By Kiara Garcia • March 11, 2026

Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship A Memorial Tribute Honoring the Life of Gerald Shelton Gerald Shelton was a man defined by kindness, quiet strength, and a deep belief in the power of education. Throughout his life, he treated others with generosity and respect, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. For ten years, Mr. Shelton faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease with remarkable perseverance. Even as the disease progressed, the love and dedication he inspired in his family remained constant. His journey became a powerful example of resilience, patience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Mr. Shelton believed that education opens doors and creates opportunities. He valued learning not only for the knowledge it provides, but for the confidence and determination it builds in young people as they shape their futures. A Legacy of Perseverance In honor of Gerald Shelton’s life and the perseverance he demonstrated during his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the Cobb Schools Foundation is proud to establish the Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship . This scholarship reflects the values Mr. Shelton lived by — resilience, determination, and the belief that education can help students overcome obstacles and reach their goals. The Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship will support students who demonstrate the courage to keep moving forward when life becomes difficult. It celebrates young people who show determination, strength of character, and commitment to continue pursuing their education despite challenges. Continuing His Legacy Through this scholarship, Gerald Shelton’s legacy will live on in the lives of students who embody the same perseverance he showed throughout his life. Each recipient will carry forward his spirit of resilience — proving that when challenges arise, perseverance can lead the way to opportunity and hope. We are deeply grateful to Joy Doss, President of the Cobb Schools Foundation, and her family for honoring her daddy's life in a way that will inspire and support students for generations to come.