Staff Spotlight: Laura Danze
Laura Danze, is a senior development officer. She builds relationships with individuals and families seeking to support Skyland Trail through charitable giving or volunteer service. Among the individuals who support our mission are alumni families. Laura helps families with a loved one who graduated from Skyland Trail give back in many different ways – whether that’s serving as a reference for families considering admission, participating in the annual Skyland Trail 5K Run/Walk, sharing their recovery stories, or donating to financial aid.
What role do Grateful Families play in supporting Skyland Trail?
Grateful Families are alumni families who give back to Skyland Trail through financial giving, event participation, outreach and education, or volunteer service. They play a pivotal role in supporting Skyland Trail, contributing significantly to our annual fundraising goals. Many families have been giving annually for years, and their investment in evidence-based mental health treatment is vital to our ability to provide best-in-class services to our clients and their families.
Why do you think Grateful Families give?
Many Grateful Families give because they are inspired to support an organization that provided hope and healing for them when they were in crisis. Skyland Trail is a lifeline for families, many of whom feel like their loved one wouldn’t be here without the treatment they received. Donating to Skyland Trail is a way to honor their loved one’s recovery and help fellow families afford treatment during such a scary and vulnerable time in their lives.
What are your favorite things about working at Skyland Trail?
Working with alumni, I often hear stories of how clients and families are doing months or years after treatment. I love getting to share those positive stories from former clients with the clinical staff who were part of their treatment team. It’s so special sharing with our team the lasting positive impact that they’ve made on these people and their families and reminding them that they work they do day in and day out deeply matters.
What has been your most memorable moment at the organization so far?
I’ve worked for years with a family who decided to establish an endowed financial aid scholarship at Skyland Trail in memory of their daughter. We discussed different ways to honor her memory through a larger gift to Skyland Trail, and this one felt right to their whole family. Helping them honor their beloved daughter through this gift to the organization has been especially meaningful.
What is one place in Atlanta you think everyone should visit? Restaurant, park, museum, spa, gym, etc.
Emerald City Bagels! Living within walking distance of the East Atlanta location is a dream.
What do you do when you’re not at work? Favorite hobbies etc.?
My husband and I are avid vegetable gardeners! We took last summer off from gardening when we had our newborn son, so we’re excited for a crop of tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers this year. I also love to cook and recently started baking bread.