By Jordan Beach
Victoria Hill is using her platform as Miss Georgia to “Flip the Script” on foster care, a cause she has dedicated much time and effort to before entering the scholarship competition.
On Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at Canton First United Methodist Church (CFUMC), Hill will combine two of her passions—performing and foster care—to bring awareness to and raise funds for the North Georgia Angel House, a Waleska-based foster home for girls.
When Kenny Ott, pastor at CFUMC, first met Hill at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce breakfast sponsored by Reinhardt in September, he was immediately impressed with her heart for disadvantaged kids.
“She has done some good things to help our local foster care ministries and organizations,” said Ott. “Our church cares deeply about our community. As I considered her great musical talent and her passion to help kids, and knowing that we have a great space in the sanctuary at Canton First UMC, it just seemed natural for us to host a concert to partner with Victoria to support children in foster care.”
The concert is open to the public and while admission to the concert is free, donations will be accepted to support the work that North Georgia Angel House is doing to provide a safe home for young girls across the state. Hill has been passionate about her cause since starting an internship with the Angel House a few year ago, and her mission continues to help the community see the many ways they can get involved.
“You don’t have to foster to help kids in foster care,” said Hill.
Since becoming Miss Georgia, Hill has worked with local businesses to renovate and make improvements to the Angel House, and the donations from the concert will further her efforts in improving the space that could improve their lives.
“The minute these girls turn 18, many want to sign themselves out of the foster care system. In Georgia, we have a new law where you’re eligible to stay in the system until you’re 21,” said Hill. “The goal is to keep them in as long as they can so they can reap those benefits with college tuition and housing and all sorts of other things that are available for them.”
Hill wants to be a part of making group homes in the state a place where children in foster care can feel at home.
At the concert, Hill will perform a variety of songs from classical pieces to contemporary musical theatre numbers, and even Disney.
“I really want it to feel like me at my piano in my living room, and everybody’s joining me in my living room for a very intimate setting of me pouring my soul out through music and what I say.”
Since getting involved with the Angel House, Hill developed a mentorship program called WINGS, which stands for “Women in Need Growing Stronger.” The program connects young women in foster care with female leaders and role models in the community who create a mentorship relationship.
