by gaopp | Feb 3, 2014
Should you have any questions or comments about the content of this update, please email Eric Cochling.
Weather Dominates Week
As the General Assembly meets today for day 14 of the session, the subject dominating the headlines is the two days of utter chaos on Georgia’s roads this week. With so many children stranded at school and commuters stranded in their cars, the official response to the snow quickly took on political dimensions.
Our 5th Annual School Choice Celebration and Rally was cut short by the weather, but not before many of our participants were able to voice their support of school choice with their legislators. Thanks to all of our partner organizations, volunteers, and participating schools for braving the weather to show their support for more school choice options in Georgia. We’d like to especially thank the Georgia Charter Schools Association, Agudath Israel of America, Americans for Prosperity, Grace Scholars, Students First, and Hennessy Transportation for their partnership in hosting the event.
Legislation, Study Committees, and Rumors to Watch
– Education –
Given the high demand for Tax Credit Scholarships, Rep. Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), introduced House Bill 759 that would raise the cap on the program from $58 million annually to $100 million, nearly doubling the size of the program.
In other education news, supporters of Parent Trigger legislation (House Bill 123) are hoping to see it resurrected this year after gaining some traction last session but ultimately failing to make it out of the General Assembly.
Finally, whatever your thoughts about the DeKalb School Board, it does seem strange that the private organization accrediting our school districts (SACS) is, itself, not subject to transparency, especially in regard to how it makes its accreditation decisions. Those decisions impact the public interest in a major way and should be open to public scrutiny. The Attorney General is right to be pressing the case.
– Adoption and Child Welfare –
Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville) introduced House Bill 524 last session with the goal of making it easier for adopted individuals to access their original birth certificates and the information about birth parents they contain. The legislation, which is being reconsidered this session, was met with opposition by those concerned that disclosing information about birth parents could discourage adoption.
House Bill 771, sponsored by Rep. Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine), would effectively lift the statute of limitations related to civil claims for damages brought by victims of childhood sexual abuse. Currently, the law requires these claims to be brought by a victim within five years of turning 18 years old. Should this bill become law, suit could be brought against a defendant at any time.
– Constitutional Convention? –
Citing a crushing federal debt burden, continued overspending, out of control federal mandates, and overreaching constitutional interpretations, Senate Resolution 736, sponsored by Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon), calls for a constitutional convention of the states to amend the US Constitution. Presumably, the convention would allow for the states to address the problems cited by the resolution. Of course, any convention would also open the Constitution up to mischief, so caution is in order.
– Expansion of Medical Marijuana –
Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon) introduced House Bill 885, referred to as Haleigh’s Hope Act (warning: link is to a heartbreaking video) on Tuesday which would expand the permissible medical uses for marijuana to include the treatment of seizure disorders. Under current Georgia law, extracts made from marijuana may be used to treat cancer and glaucoma patients only. Unlike other states that have recently legalized the recreational use of marijuana, House Bill 885 specifically states that it is not intended to encourage recreational use and requires the delivery of the drug to be accomplished in the ways virtually all other drugs are delivered (i.e. via pill, liquid extract, etc.) and forbids smoking as a form of delivery.
Upcoming Events
Our friends at the American Federation for Children are hosting a nonpartisan candidate training school in Atlanta on February 22nd. The training is free but requires registration to attend. For more information, please see this flyer for the event or email Brian Pleva to register.
Thanks to Jamie Lord, our director of government affairs, and Jacob Stubbs, our legislative intern and John Jay Fellowship alumnus for their able contributions to this update.
by gaopp | Dec 5, 2013
Monday afternoon, December 2, Breakthrough Norcross celebrated the completion of its three-part “listening tour” with an authentic White House Reception held at Norcross High School.
Prior to the reception, the last of three working meetings were held in which nearly 30 representatives from numerous business, non-profits, churches, and schools reviewed and made final contributions to the Breakthrough Norcross collective impact strategy.
To aid in celebrating this great milestone, Walter Scheib, former White House Executive Chef to the Clinton and Bush administrations, prepared a wonderful meal for meeting participants, as well as numerous other community representatives invited to hear about Breakthrough Norcross’ cradle to career plan for collective impact.
For those unable to join us, CBS Atlanta covered the event. See their re-cap here.
by gaopp | Oct 30, 2013
A wise friend once said to me, “Know where you’re going before you start running.” For any successful organization, having a solid and precise mission is an imperative. The Breakthrough Ambassadors recently selected their first class of senior ambassadors to accomplish this imperative for the Breakthrough Ambassadors program.
The Breakthrough Ambassadors evolved out of the Breakthrough Norcross collective impact initiative. The inaugural class of approximately 100 students will be exposed to special opportunities such as meeting with executives and professionals from a variety of sectors, and receiving career training and career pathway orientation.
By establishing a precise mission, purpose and characteristics, the Breakthrough Ambassadors now have a clear understanding of how their organization will benefit not only ambassadors but also the community in which they are serving.
Breakthrough Ambassador mission:
- To remove barriers to opportunity in order to provide everyone with an equal chance to succeed.
Breakthrough Ambassador purpose:
- A mentoring organization that provides service, leadership development, and networking opportunities to enhance post high school success
Breakthrough Ambassador characteristics:
- Innovative- Focus on generating new ideas to solve community challenges
- Engaged- Operate at a grassroots level to stay relevant to, and to learn from, the communities we serve
- Influential- Conduct ourselves to develop the expertise, talent and network of relationship to enhance our ability to bring change
- Trusted- Strive to be reliable, experienced and honest in all we do
Breakthrough Ambassadors will now serve through the broader Breakthrough Norcross Community collective impact network by assisting partners who are working to improve our community. These ambassadors will carry this mission through life as they grow into our future community leaders.
by gaopp | Oct 25, 2013
Breakthrough Norcross completed a series of meticulously planned working meetings and conversations with community stakeholders culminated on October 14th. This process was facilitated by GCO, but was driven by the nearly 70 non-profit, church, and other community leaders who have participated in the meetings. Each of these leaders have integral expertise and front line experience that provide insight into the specific barriers to opportunity that exist for Peachtree Corners and Norcross students.
The vision that these leaders have adapted for Breakthrough Norcross is:
Every child in the Norcross school cluster will have the necessary support to succeed academically, enter into a meaningful, self-sustaining career and develop into a contributing member of the community.
Success is not going to come easily, and it is certainly not going to come quickly, but this vision is worthy of intense pursuit, and given the unique mix of community assets and intervention programs within the Norcross cluster, I believe we are well positioned to begin the process of transforming our current reality into this great vision.
The image that comes to mind when I think of how this vision positions Breakthrough Norcross is one of a sculptor and large block of marble. Right now our community – the marble – definitely has some rough edges, and maybe some unsightly blemishes, but it’s still a large block of marble, ripe with potential.
Just as a sculptor starts with the end in mind, taking strategic, intentional action that will slowly move him toward his goal, we have painted a clear picture of where our efforts should take us, now all that’s left is to pick up the hammer and chisel. There will be some miss-strikes of the hammer, we might have to stop and re-tool for certain aspects of the project, and there will definitely be some blisters during the work. But, because we have a clear vision, we can now begin the work of making that vision into a reality.
by gaopp | Oct 16, 2013
A young, single, African-American woman sat in front of me. Having recently lost her job of six-years in the medical field, she was struggling to keep her apartment and had no other sources of support. I emphasized the importance of not to surrendering and not losing hope. She recognized that I supported and understood her yet she didn’t look me in the eye because she couldn’t hold back the tears. Anyone might find themselves in a similar situation and for different reasons. Before we had even finished talking, another family needed help with translating. In that short moment, I realized how important volunteering for the Norcross Co-Op Ministry can be.
As a research fellow for the Breakthrough Norcross initiative, I was able to spend time volunteering for the Norcross Co-Op Ministry during a GCO day of service. Upon first hearing its name, the Norcross Co-Op Ministry, I expected to walk into a church setting. Instead the Co-Op seemed more like an organized state social service agency.
Serving as an intake volunteer, I observed people sitting in the lobby waiting to be directed into private cubicles where they sat and discussed their issues. Each year the Co-Op serves over 10,000 people in addition to partnering with 28 local churches. These partnerships allow for more resourceful and effective service to the community by donating food, clothes, baby items, Christmas gifts or even financial aid for bills or rent. Uniquely, the Co-Op is the only non-profit organization in Gwinnett County that provides temporary housing for the homeless.
Shaken, individuals enter with no food, no home, or no hope. The crowds seeking aid range from young adults, single mothers, elderly, homeless, educated and previously wealthy. Sadly, an overwhelming percentage of those seeking aid are minorities. Many come in after an unexpected job loss and need help gaining marketable skills to compete for another job. They wonder about educational options such as degrees, certifications or high school diplomas. Most simply need aid to provide for their immediate necessities.
Life’s unexpected circumstances often weaken people causing their family, state of mind and financial resources to collapse. Those who suffer unexpected misfortunes or lack necessary resources may feel hopeless and even fall into deeper troubles. The Co-Op exists to be present in times of emotional or financial downturn where it seems that there is no way out. In recognizing the value for a positive attitude and hope for a better future, the Co-Op is able to recommend churches and spiritual support. Its staff and volunteers instill hope and purpose while establishing trust with the community and providing essential resources.
This perspective is foundational to the Co-Op. The building was donated by businessman Jim Ellis, owner of a host of car dealerships throughout the region, in honor of his son who committed suicide. The Co-Op works to combat similar feelings of hopelessness. That is why the Co-Op has an exemplary ability and vision to change lives. We all have a hope for a better future; the Co-Op makes sure that the people who enter seeking help have reached hope and an expectation to change the reason why they entered in the first place.
