How programs to help the poor can harm upward mobility – Sutherland Institute

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Aug 15, 2023

Georgia news, in the news, current events, Georgia happenings, GA happenings

How programs to help the poor can harm upward mobility – Sutherland Institute

Imagine you’re offered a raise that, if accepted, would actually make your family worse off.

This is the experience of some families in poverty when they hit something called the benefits cliff. This “cliff effect” is triggered when a family’s increase in earned income prompts a disproportionately larger decrease in the benefits they receive through federally funded public assistance programs.

This week’s guest is Kelsey Underwood, vice president of strategy and product for the Georgia Center for Opportunity. She joins the show to discuss how the benefits cliff can disincentivize work, negatively impacting families struggling to escape poverty. She also touches on GCO’s efforts in various states to clear obstacles to upward mobility for impoverished Americans. The discussion centers around the dignity of work that fosters upward mobility and identifies resources available to policymakers and business leaders to help address the issue.

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Josh Crawford, Conservative Criminal Policy Solutions | The Steve Gruber Show

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 26, 2023

Josh Crawford, Conservative Criminal Policy Solutions | The Steve Gruber Show

Josh Crawford is a policy leader for Public Safety Solutions for America and the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives with the Georgia Center for Opportunity where he leads their public safety and re-entry work.

Listen to the podcast here

Legislation to improve the expungement process in Kentucky heard in committee

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 26, 2023

Legislation to improve the expungement process in Kentucky heard in committee

The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary heard testimony Thursday on legislation that would help automate the expungement process for eligible Kentuckians as they have reentered society.

During the testimony, Representative Kim Moser said that this legislation would only change the process for an individual that is already eligible for expungement, not change the expungement statute. This legislation pertains to low-level, non-violent arrests, and still requires individuals to complete a five-year waiting period after release, during which no crime has been committed, Moser shared.

Many individuals and groups spoke in support of this issue, sharing their stories of recovery and justice involvement, the barriers individuals face after being released, and the costly and difficult process of expungement through their own experiences or through the organizations they work for.

Josh Crawford of the Georgia Center for Opportunity said that this legislation would simplify the process for individuals, expedite their record clearing and get people on the road to employment and self-sufficiency.

He also added that the goal of improving the expungement process is to improve public safety, get people back into society in a meaningful way.

Read the full article here

Empowering Job Seekers: The Gwinnett Housing Corporation Event

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 25, 2023

Lawrenceville and Norcross, Carolina pachon, Gwinnett Housing Corporation, Lawrenceville Housing Authority, and the city of Norcross

Empowering Job Seekers: The Gwinnett Housing Corporation Event

Key Points

The BETTER WORK Program attracted over 60 participants seeking employment assistance.
The event brought together job seekers, employers, and mentors in Lawrenceville and Norcross.
The Gwinnett Housing Corporation, Lawrenceville Housing Authority, and the city of Norcross joined forces, pooling their resources to help those in the community in need.

The Gwinnett Housing Corporation recently organized an event that brought together job seekers, employers, and mentors in Lawrenceville and Norcross. The event was a resounding success, attracting over 60 individuals interested in the BETTER WORK Program.

The BETTER WORK Program: Assisting Job Seekers

The BETTER WORK Program, a centerpiece of the event, garnered significant attention from attendees. Job seekers flocked to the program seeking much-needed employment assistance. By participating in the Better Work Program, individuals gain access to valuable resources and support, increasing their chances of securing meaningful employment. The program offers a range of services, including resume building, interview preparation, and job placement assistance.

A Portal for Success: Sign-ups and Employment Assistance

The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with numerous attendees signing up for the BETTER WORK Program through the designated online portal. Overjoyed by the level of interest, our team was delighted to assist these individuals in taking their first steps towards a better future. By providing a user-friendly portal, we streamlined the sign-up process, ensuring a seamless experience for all participants.

Together, these organizations demonstrated their commitment to empowering individuals in the Lawrenceville and Norcross communities, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive.

Collaboration for Community Success

The success of the event can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of multiple organizations. The Gwinnett Housing Corporation, Lawrenceville Housing Authority, and the city of Norcross joined forces, pooling their resources to make this event a reality. Together, these organizations demonstrated their commitment to empowering individuals in the Lawrenceville and Norcross communities, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. As we celebrate the success of this event, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in making it possible. Together, we are building a brighter future for the Lawrenceville and Norcross communities.

Violent crime is up. We need a smart plan to keep our country safe.

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 25, 2023

Violent crime is up. We need a smart plan to keep our country safe.

Josh Crawford is a policy leader for Public Safety Solutions for America and the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives with the Georgia Center for Opportunity where he leads their public safety and re-entry work. Listen to the discussion as Josh shares his expertise analysis of the current problem and real life solutions for creating thriving communities.

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