Est. 1969 · Athens, Georgia

Promoting a better quality of life for all mankind.

The Athens Area Human Relations Council brings neighbors together through education, service, and scholarship — carrying forward a torch first lit more than fifty years ago.

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55+: Years of service
$1.2M: Awarded in scholarships
40+: Community partners

"One torch, many hands."
— AAHRC Founding Charter

EducationDialogueServiceScholarshipCommunityAdvocacy

About Us

A council of neighbors, born of a shared belief.

Founded in the late 1960s to bridge divides in the Athens area, AAHRC continues to bring together residents, educators, and civic leaders under one enduring idea — that every person deserves dignity.

Our History

More than five decades of dialogue, service, and quiet, patient work in the Athens community.

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Our Founder

A legacy of moral courage that continues to shape our programs and scholarships today.

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Executive Board

Volunteer leaders drawn from schools, faith communities, business, and public service.

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Membership

Open to all who share our commitment to human relations and civic responsibility.

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Our Goals

AAHRC – Goal #1

Re-examine, initiate & support actions designed to improve and bring harmony to multicultural relations in the Athens community and abroad.

AAHRC – Goal #2

Provide a forum for concerned citizens to discuss, work together and render volunteer service to build better human relations in the community.

AAHRC – Goal #3

Continually advocate and maintain the high idealism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which provides a framework for social justice for all humanity.

AAHRC – Goal #4

Advocate actions to reduce violence in our homes, streets, and schools.

AAHRC – Goal #5

Build relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations interested in promoting positive multicultural relations.

Programs & Committees

Work carried by many hands.

Our standing committees turn shared conviction into concrete action across the Athens area.

Education & Training

Workshops, dialogues, and youth programs that build understanding across our community.

Community Service

Volunteer initiatives that bring neighbors together to serve Athens with dignity and care.

Fundraising Initiatives

Annual campaigns that fund scholarships, awards, and the work of our standing committees.

Events

What's coming up.

Gather with us — for banquets, dialogues, workshops, and celebrations across the year.

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12
Sep
Annual Founder's Banquet
The Foundry · Athens, GA
An evening of recognition honoring the legacy of AAHRC's founders and the recipients of this year's Service Awards.
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04
Oct
Community Dialogue Series
ACC Library
A moderated conversation on housing, education, and equity — open to all residents.
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18
Nov
Scholarship Workshop
Virtual
A guided session for students preparing General and Founder's Scholarship applications.
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Scholarships

Fuel for the next generation.

Each year AAHRC awards General and Founder's Scholarships to students committed to service and to the values of human relations.

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General Scholarship

$2,500

For graduating high school seniors in the Athens area demonstrating leadership and community service.

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Founder's Scholarship

$5,000

Awarded annually to a student embodying the vision of the AAHRC founders through advocacy and civic engagement.

Deadline · September 25Apply →

Service Awards

Honoring quiet, extraordinary service.

Nominate a neighbor, teacher, or organization whose work makes Athens more just, more welcoming, and more whole.

Submit a nomination

1
Eligibility
Any individual, group, or organization serving the Athens area for two or more years.
2
Criteria
Demonstrated impact on human relations, education, or community welfare.
3
Timeline
Nominations open in January; recipients are honored at the Founder's Banquet.

Forms