On Thanksgiving, remember that gratitude makes good citizens, heals divisions
Originally published November 20, 2025 President Abraham Lincoln officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, during the Civil War that threatened the very existence of the United States. He wanted to unify the nation by encouraging Americans to count...
The safety net ‘system’ that isn’t
Eric Cochling in Governing Originally published November 20, 2025 Starting in 2027, work requirements kick in for certain beneficiaries on Medicaid, while new work rules for the SNAP food assistance program took effect on Nov. 1. These reforms mandated by the One Big...
A legacy of healing — Documentary tells ReCAST Lawrenceville’s journey through residents’ stories
Excerpt from Gwinnett Daily Post profile: Originally published October 15, 2025 Funded four years ago with a $5 million federal grant, ReCAST Lawrenceville has been an invaluable resource to a host of city residents as it works with its partners — Impact 46, the...
The fantasy that cutting prison populations saves a lot of money
Joshua Crawford in Governing Originally published October 31, 2025 State leaders hoping to trim budgets by reducing prison populations are in for some disappointment. Proponents of decarceration often tout potential savings, but despite a 24 percent drop in state...
Frightfully pricey treats: Why Halloween fun is costing Georgia families more
As Halloween approaches, Georgia families look forward to making great memories involving adorable costumes and fun candy hauls. But candy prices have become nothing short of scary for families trying to make ends meet. Here’s why prices are on the rise for Georgia’s favorite Halloween treats.
New Report: Corrections spending rises in Georgia even as prison population declines
A new report by Joshua Crawford, Public Safety Fellow at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, shows that the decreasing number of inmates hasn’t translated to meaningful savings or improvements in public safety for Georgians.
Decarceration’s Disconnect: Corrections spending rises in Georgia even as prison population declines
Prison reform debates often focus on reducing prison populations to save taxpayers money. But is that actually possible? In a new report for the Manhattan Institute, Joshua Crawford, Public Safety Fellow at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, reveals some surprising answers.
Recasting Lawrenceville as a resilient, connected community
Through our partnership with the ReCAST initiative, residents in Lawrenceville are finding purpose, hope, and connection through employment. One powerful example is Josiah, who found a path forward by participating in our Jobs for Life class.
GCO welcomes new team members to grow our BETTER WORK initiative
The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) is pleased to welcome two new team members, Mariah Thomas and Angelique Valentine. They will be program specialists for our BETTER WORK initiative. BETTER WORK empowers communities to be the first line of assistance for local...
National poverty rate fails to Capture the problem of poverty concentration in Georgia and beyond
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA—The official poverty rate fell 0.4% to 10.6% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest report on poverty. The data shows that 35.9 million Americans were living in poverty last year. These numbers suggest trends at a high level, but...
