Since welcoming its first resident in 2006, Angel House of North Georgia in Canton has relied on state funding and private donations.

But thanks to help from its neighbors of Soleil at Laurel Canyon, the private nonprofit home for foster girls is getting its own dedicated fundraising group.

The Friends of Angel House was formed last month by some board members and residents of the active-adult community in Canton.

"I thought it was an awesome idea," said Susan Worsley, executive director of the home about being approached to create the group. "They have always supported us, and it really made sense."

Members of the neighborhood's chapter of Les Marmitons, a men's cooking club, have been supporting the home with donations of money and food for a few years.

"We're right next door, and we know the good job they're doing," said Ron Laird, a Soleil resident and co-organizer of the new Friends group.

More than 400 young women have lived in the group home during its five-year history. Along with a stable and safe environment, the home provides counseling, independent life skills training, tutoring, goal planning and more.

The Friends group will provide funds to support and expand the programs as well as the facilities, which currently hold 15 girls in seven bedrooms.

Like the men's cooking club, the Friends group will be united by food and based on the fellowship and traditions of similar clubs.

Members can make different levels of tax-deductible financial donations to become part of the organization.

Twice a year the group will also host a five-course dinner for $75, with $35 going directly to Angel House.

"This will allow a continuous flow of supplemental funds for Angel House while providing good dinners and making it fun," Laird said.

"You've got to make it special if you want to raise funds for a special place," added J.P. Jobin, an Angel House board member and co-organizer of the Friends group.

Membership levels range from annual donations of $50 to $1,000. Jobin said if the organization reaches its initial goal of 50 members, it could mean an extra $1,000 to $3,000 per month for the organization.

Ms. Worsley said supplemental support like that is crucial for the house.

"Community support is very important. Girls have a lot of incidental (costs) that boys don't have," she said. "The amount of toiletries we go through in a month would amaze people."

To kick off its efforts, the Friends will host an open house at the home on March 20.

"We want to raise knowledge of Angel House in the community," Jobin said. "We want them to come see their good cause of giving girls a second chance."