Upcoming Events:
10/3 6:30pm-8pm Books & Bites at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center hosted by the Dekalb Library Foundation (Click to register)
10/8 Dinner and Discussions at St Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody
Praise for Once Upon a School
“Arguably, the most joyful of human experiences is pouring your soul into the lives of those who are fragile and vulnerable…This page-turner of a narrative tells the story of just such self-giving.” The Rev. Ed Bacon, 8 Habits of Love
“If you’ve ever wondered if one person with a dream can spark a revolution…Kate Kennedy’s book will give you hope and nudge you to be the change you want to see in the world.” The Rev. Cannon Stephanie Spellers, The Church Cracked Open
“Kate Kennedy takes us into her world as she does the impossible…Once Upon a School encourages us to consider our own call to action on causes that matter and more importantly, take that leap of faith.” Kathy Izard, The Hundred Story Home, The Last Ordinary Hour, and Trust the Whisper
About the Book
What do you do when you see something you can’t ignore? That’s what happened to Kate Kennedy one day as she drove down the Courtland Street corridor in Atlanta, Georgia. After that day, she could not look away. Once Upon a School shares the story of a stay-at-home mom of four who ignited a wave of community change by building a school to serve children without housing. One dollar and one day at a time, Kate pushed against all odds to build a program that cares for the most vulnerable children. In the process, she learned more about herself than she ever imagined . . . even when it all began to fall apart.
With humor and vulnerability, Kate shares the story of challenging the status quo and digging deep into her own story to find connection, hope, and new answers to old problems.
Once Upon a School is a story of racial inequity, generational poverty, and finding community in the most unlikely places. It’s about building a school, standing up for children, and finding your place in the world. As the story unfolds, Kate invites readers to challenge themselves and their own communities through the lenses of social impact, personal growth, and theology.
Once Upon a School is about daring to dream big and learning to bounce back. This journey reminds us, writes Kate, that “we all have the capacity to make lasting community change in our own unique ways if we can find the strength and courage to take the first step and keep on walking.”