One of Forsyth County’s most well-known non-profits is undergoing a change of leadership.

In a news release, officials with Support Adoption and Foster Families Together, or SAFFT, announced founders Brian and Ashley Anderson were stepping down from their respective roles as executive director and development director to spend more time with family and focus on other businesses.

“Since its founding in 2009, Ashley and I have poured our hearts into SAFFT; yet, what we have both received back doesn’t even fall in comparison,” Brian Anderson said in the release. “We are incredibly grateful and humbled by the support shown to us and to SAFFT over the many years and the encouragement we’ve encountered as we transition to other endeavors.”

The Andersons, who have served as foster parents, began SAFFT in 2009 after “they saw the brokenness in the system and the lack of good foster homes in the area.” Brian Anderson took over as CEO in 2016.

The nonprofit now serves more than 800 children, operates three centers in the state and offers services including supervised visitation, parenting classes, trauma-informed counseling and comprehensive foster parent support.

With their departure, Natalie Milom has been appointed the new executive director, taking over on Oct. 22. 

“I am honored, excited, and ready to lead SAFFT into the next phase of growth, community collaboration and outreach,” Milom said in the release. “I believe that the future of SAFFT is bright and that together, we can do really great things, not just in the local communities but in the hearts of the families we serve. 

“We owe the children and families of Georgia our absolute best efforts and I am excited to work together to bring about lasting impact that continues to propel the child welfare community forward.”

Milom has a background in child welfare and a master’s degree in social work.

“We truly believe that Natalie is the right person to lead this organization to the next level and we appreciate every board member who has served the mission over the past 10 years,” Anderson said. “Our hearts are and will forever be with the foster community. As two young foster parents without any guidance and support back nearly 10 years ago, that is how SAFFT began and it will forever be a part of our story.”

More information about SAFFT is available at SAFFT.org.