Metro Atlanta’s United Methodist Children’s Home was the big winner on the March 27 episode of “Celebrity Apprentice.” The Decatur, Ga., nonprofit was the recipient of the $40,000 prize money earned by that episode’s winning team. Hip-hop artist Lil Jon provided project management leadership for the winning all-male team. NeNe Leakes was the project manager for the also-ran all-women’s team.
Lil Jon, whose real name is Jonathan Mortimer Smith, chose UMCH because his brother and sister are adopted. Both were initially in foster care situations. The gift takes on greater significance when the data on African American children in the foster care system is reviewed. According to the Center for the Study of Social Policy African American families are less likely to be privy to support systems that prevent children from going into foster care. UMCH provides family counseling, parenting classes, and family housing for parents who are at risk of losing their children due to lack of housing or the inability to feed or clothe their children.
