GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students today honored four organizations and one philanthropic leader for their extraordinary contributions to Georgia's young children, families and early childhood professionals during the organization’s 2026 annual luncheon at Zoo Atlanta's Savanna Hall.

The luncheon brought together more than 200 business and community leaders, elected officials, early childhood advocates, educators and philanthropic partners committed to building a stronger future for Georgia's youngest children. The event raised more than $140,000 to advance GEEARS' mission of ensuring that all Georgia children, from birth to age 5, thrive by championing research-backed policies and investments, fostering collaboration, and leading a statewide movement to advance public will.

The 2026 GEEARS Early Childhood Award recipients include:

• Early Childhood Advocate Award: 
  Sheltering Arms, YMCA of Metro Atlanta and Easterseals North Georgia
  GEEARS recognized these three organizations for their leadership during the fall 2025 federal government shutdown, when delays in the disbursement of Head Start grants threatened to disrupt services for thousands of Georgia children and families. The organizations joined GEEARS in an urgent effort to protect continuity of care and education. Together, they secured a bridge loan that prevented a devastating disruption for 6,500 Georgia children and their families, helping ensure that children could continue to receive critical early-learning and family support services.
• Early Childhood Partnership Award: 
  The Georgia Chamber Foundation
  GEEARS honored the Georgia Chamber Foundation for its long-standing partnership in engaging Georgia's business community in early childhood issues and making the case that family-friendly is also business-friendly. Through this partnership, the organizations launched the Best Place for Working Parents designation, which more than 100 Georgia employers have now earned, demonstrating their commitment to family-friendly workplace policies. The Georgia Chamber Foundation has helped elevate early childhood as an issue that matters not only to children and families but also to Georgia's workforce, economy and long-term prosperity.
• Early Childhood Champion Award: 
  Liz Blake
  GEEARS honored Liz Blake for her long-standing commitment to the two-generation approach to building economic stability for families. Through her philanthropic leadership, Blake has supported efforts that empower women and advance healthy child development by investing in early childhood, mental health and economic mobility.

“Each of these honorees demonstrates what is possible when we refuse to accept that the challenges facing young children from birth to age five and their families are someone else's problem,” said Stephanie Blank, GEEARS board chair. “They stepped up when Georgia's children and families needed them, and they continue to show us what partnership, leadership and commitment can accomplish. GEEARS is proud to celebrate their contributions and grateful for the many partners who make this work possible.”

The luncheon featured keynote remarks from Elana Meyers Taylor, a Georgia-raised Olympic bobsledder and six-time Olympic medalist. Meyers Taylor, the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, recently captured national attention when she turned her historic gold medal win in the Milan Cortina Winter Games into a teaching moment for her young sons, both of whom have disabilities. Her remarks highlighted the power of perseverance, possibility and the need for continued advocacy from organizations such as GEEARS to ensure every child can reach their full potential.

The event also marked the beginning of Kristin Bernhard’s tenure as GEEARS CEO.

“Georgia's future is inseparable from the future of our youngest children,” said Bernhard. “The people and organizations we honored today understand that investing in children is an investment in all of us, and Georgia is stronger when our public policy and investments reflect that belief. Their work spans protecting access to early learning, bringing business leaders to the table and supporting the whole family, all of which demonstrates the kind of collective action Georgia needs. And the more than $140,000 raised at this luncheon will help GEEARS continue bringing people together, advancing smart policy and ensuring that early childhood remains a defining priority for our state's policymakers.”

For GEEARS, the urgency of this work is clear. The first five years of a child's life pass quickly, but they are also a foundational period for healthy development and lifelong learning. GEEARS works to ensure that Georgia has the policies, investments and partnerships necessary for young children and the adults who care for and educate them to thrive.