Our Leadership Team

We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for purposeful work and real connection.

Erin Thompson Podvin

Erin Thompson Podvin serves as Executive Director of Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Athens, providing strategic leadership to improve outcomes for children families and neighborhoods across Athens Clarke County. She oversees organizational operations builds cross sector partnerships and secures public and private funding to remove barriers and respond to community needs.

With more than 20 years of experience across education youth development and nonprofit leadership Erin has built and scaled programs that expand access opportunity and support. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and brings deep expertise in strategic planning workforce development family engagement and community centered program design.

A longtime civic leader Erin has served on numerous local and regional boards and remains deeply committed to equity education and strengthening communities. She is a Clarke County School District graduate a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and a proud Athens parent.

Executive Director

Alison Alwes

Alison Alwes is a community builder and strategic communicator with more than a decade of experience helping nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Her work centers on strengthening partnerships, amplifying voices through storytelling, building relationships, and connecting people and organizations to resources they need to thrive. An active and passionate Athens resident, she is deeply invested in this community and her neighbors, and is excited to connect with you.

Director of Development

Crystal Milian serves as the Communities In Schools Program Manager at Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Athens, where she coordinates school-based support partnerships and systems that help students stay engaged, connected, and prepared for what comes next.

A former fifth grade teacher Crystal brings a strong background in education and youth serving nonprofits with experience spanning program implementation experiential learning and operations. Her work with organizations like 3DE Schools Junior Achievement and Girl Scouts sharpened her ability to manage complex initiatives and align teams around a shared vision.

Crystal believes deeply in what students can achieve when they are supported, seen, and connected. Her work reflects FC-CIS’s commitment to holistic student support and strong community networks. She also brings a little sparkle and a lot of humor to every team she’s part of.

Director of CIS Programs

Crystal Milian

Terris Thomas serves as Director of Neighborhood Engagement, where she leads the Neighborhood Leaders Program and works alongside residents to strengthen connections between neighbors, schools, and community resources across Athens-Clarke County. Her work focuses on building trust, identifying local needs, and supporting neighborhood-level solutions.

Terris moved to Athens in 1992 and has spent decades engaged in community capacity-building and service. She previously worked at the University of Georgia for nearly ten years and has been recognized for her commitment to community leadership and service.

In addition to her professional work, Terris is active in ministry at Timothy Baptist Church, where she has supported youth development efforts and directs a summer community youth day program, Camp Timothy. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping neighborhoods grow stronger together.

Director of Neighborhood Leaders

Terris Thomas

Athens THRIVe Infant and Toddler Court Program

Christina Thompson

Christina Thompson is an Air Force veteran and longtime social services professional whose work centers on strengthening families and supporting children during critical moments. She brings a values driven approach grounded in integrity, service, and collaboration.

Christina began her career in social services in 2011 and has spent more than a decade supporting families through child advocacy prevention education and court involved services. She joined Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Athens in 2024 as part of the Athens THRIVe Infant and Toddler Court Program helping launch Georgia’s pilot ITCP model.

At the heart of her work is a simple belief. When families thrive, communities thrive. Christina is committed to building systems where families feel supported partners work together and connections lead to lasting change.

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