group of ESL Girls lying in a field of flowers

About Sophia's Hands

Sophia's Hands Inc. is a non-profit that provides an after-school program and summer camp for underserved ESL students around the Metro Atlanta Area. Our goal is to make sure that 100% of our students graduate from High School and go on to have successful and meaningful futures.

We believe that all children, no matter what language they speak, have a right to access quality educational resources that are designed to help them succeed. This is why we offer holistic developmental and educational support within our program.

Leadership

Meet the People Who Make This Possible

CEO

Angie Dodson

Angie has over 15 years of experience in childcare, education, and the nonprofit sector. She has been with Sophia's Hands since the beginning and has helped grow and expand the organization. When not working with us she loves LARPing, all things Disney, making art, and spending time with her friends and family.

VP of Programming

Michelle Creamer

Michelle was a international missionary for over 26 years. During that time she developed a love for students who needed help. She took her experience as a teacher and as a missionary and came to us here. In her free time, Michelle enjoys going to Disney World, training for 5Ks, and spending time with her 5 kids.

Board of Directors

Robert Paynter

Jennifer Dodson

Patti Burke

Our History

Sophia's Hands was started as The Helen Stark Dream Project at College Park Presbyterian Church. The Helen Stark Dream Project was started by former principal Helen Stark who felt a desire to help the kids in her community who needed her the most

Angie Dodson joined the organization just two months after it had been started. For many years the Helen Stark Dream Project continued out of this church while joining with other churches as well to send our kids to their VBS and BackYard Bible Camps. The afterschool program was able to offer 4 days a week and we were also blessed to have different churches and ministries help our cause by sponsoring transportation, food, or summer enrichment activities.

In August of 2018, College Park Presbyterian Church closed down and the Helen Stark Dream Project moved to Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. We continued our Monday - Thursday after school program, our connection with various churches and ministries, and the kids continued enjoying our programs.

In March 2020, COVID forced us to move to zoom for our events and programming until 2021. COVID caused issues and closures for everyone, but for us we were forced to move to one day a week and minimize our summer program. This affected our ability to raise support and offer the services that the kids desperately needed.

In March 2023, the Helen Stark Dream Project officially closed. After months of brainstorming, Angie Dodson decided that the Helen Stark Dream Project would be replaced by a new nonprofit called Sophia's Hands. This change has allowed for us to expand our programming and get back to growing our ministry.