The Ripple Effect of Local Philanthropy

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Oct 5, 2023

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

The Ripple Effect of Local Philanthropy

Reflecting on her two-month tenure, Ms. T remarked, “Things are going great. I’m beyond pleased with the job. It’s hard to believe it’s approaching two months; it feels longer.”

The center emphasizes that continuous backing, via one-time or recurring donations, provides stability.

Beyond finanial aid, it encourages mentorship and volunteering, allowing hte community to aid peers in their ascent from poverty. To collaborate with the Georgia Center for Opportunity, reach out to Info@foropportunity.org or dial 770-242-0001.

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*See pages 54-55

Benefits Cliffs in the Aggregate: Consequences for Welfare and Business Cycles

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Oct 3, 2023

Benefits Cliffs in the Aggregate: Consequences for Welfare and Business Cycles

Benefits cliffs – sudden decreases in public benefits that may occur with a small increase in earnings – may inhibit upward mobility. I study the effect of a multitude of cliffs across the universe of benefit programs in nine southern US states on intensive-margin labor supply and the implications for aggregate fluctuations. Using the American Community Survey and proprietary data from the Georgia Center for Opportunity covering nine southern US states, I leverage geographic and household-structure variation to find that, in aggregate, individuals in households approaching benefits cliffs reduce their working hours by about 40 hours annually. I then build a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model that matches this result, where a key assumption of inframarginal households allows me to accurately capture the benefits cliffs of the US tax and transfer system. I find the aggregate implications of benefits cliffs on output are small, but welfare gains from their elimination are large and concentrated. In a counterfactual model that smooths over benefit cliffs, output increases about 1.6% more on impact in response to an aggregate productivity shock compared to the baseline model with benefits cliffs, but the welfare gain to formally-constrained households doubles.

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How a government shutdown hurts the poor: impacts on SNAP, WIC, and safety net reforms

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 29, 2023

Best practices for reducing crime can empower California to build safer communities through policy.

How a government shutdown hurts the poor: impacts on SNAP, WIC, and safety net reforms

Key Points

Government shutdowns occur when Congress doesn’t pass a set of bills that give federal agencies and services the approval and funding necessary to operate.
Government shutdowns and political wrangling distract from the real issues facing the poor and delay much-needed safety net reforms that would help people move out of government dependency.
There are bipartisan solutions Congress can act on to better serve low-income and marginalized communities.

Government shutdowns occur when Congress doesn’t pass a set of bills that give federal agencies and services the necessary funding to operate. Without this approval, agencies must pause all non-essential activity until Congress takes action. Government shutdowns often go hand-in-hand with political conflicts among federal leaders. When this dynamic takes hold in D.C., government shutdowns become, at best, a distraction from the real issues facing the poor and, at worst, a roadblock to helping people achieve stability and economic opportunity.

What happens during a government shutdown?

During a government shutdown, several disruptions happen:

Nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), are the most at-risk from a government shutdown.

Benefits from Social Security, Medicare, and most other need-based programs still go out, but shutdowns often lead to furloughs or reduced staffing levels in federal agencies that administer these programs. As a result, beneficiaries may experience longer processing times for applications, appeals, and inquiries.

Many federal employees are temporarily out of a job. They are instructed not to show up to work and aren’t paid during the shutdown window, though they typically receive back-pay once a shutdown ends.

Essential government employees, such as members of the military, air traffic controllers, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, are expected to keep working, usually without pay.

Americans may experience delays in government-administered processes, such as permits and passports.

Government shutdowns and safety net programs

For many Americans who currently need assistance from programs like SNAP, WIC, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Social Security, a government shutdown can be a fearful prospect. The worry of losing essential benefits and facing greater financial hardship can take a significant toll on individuals and families in low-income households and communities.

Impact of a shutdown on SNAP benefits

SNAP, the nation’s second largest safety net program, helps eligible families buy food. Around 42 million Americans currently receive this vital support. The federal government pays for SNAP benefits, and funds are delivered to the states for distribution to the individuals and families who need them.

During a government shutdown, there are typically enough funds available to provide SNAP benefits for about a month. Few shutdowns in American history have gone on that long, so recipients usually don’t notice any change in financial assistance.

But on November 1, 2025, the current government shutdown surpassed the one-month point, and SNAP recipients didn’t receive any benefits for the coming month. To address this critical situation, the federal government will use its emergency funds to provide SNAP support. Unfortunately, this will only be a short-term solution, and it isn’t likely to cover all the SNAP assistance the government would usually distribute during the month.

It’s important to note that a pause in SNAP benefits during a government shutdown hurts not only individuals and families, but also local economies. Food stamps help support the businesses where people spend them, like grocery stores and farmers markets. Every dollar of SNAP benefits generates about $1.54 in economic activity, but this grinds to a halt when the government doesn’t fund this essential public assistance.

Impact of a shutdown on WIC benefits

WIC provides families with free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to other services. Almost 7 million pregnant women, new moms, and children up to age 5 currently depend on WIC support.

The 2025 shutdown has put WIC benefits in jeopardy, and federal funding for this crucial assistance becomes more uncertain the longer the government remains closed. In the short term, federal officials are using revenues from other sources to keep the program running.

Government shutdowns can push people struggling with hardships further below the poverty line. Recent data shows that a pause in crucial welfare assistance would cause an additional 2.9 million Americans to fall into poverty in late 2025. This would also put future generations at risk of becoming trapped in long-term cycles of poverty.

During a government shutdown, community support for our neighbors is critical. Churches, food banks, charities, and other nonprofit organizations can increase their efforts to provide food to people in need to help them through the difficult time, and community members can provide urgently needed donations.

There is a solution Congress can act on to create a better pathway out of poverty

A government shutdown may not cut off food stamps, WIC, Social Security, or other safety net benefits immediately. However, low-income and vulnerable communities still suffer.

In the short term, lawmakers need to better serve people living on the margins by being willing to compromise and end the government shutdown. This will make it less likely that the struggles of low-income Americans get lost in political conflicts.

In the longer term, the shutdown is a reminder that we need a better safety net system—one that encourages economic opportunity and stability instead of leaving millions of Americans exposed to the ups and downs of federal government turmoil. By ending the shutdown, Congress could take up the more important priority of One Door reform.

In the current welfare system, recipients are forced to navigate multiple, disconnected programs, eligibility requirements, and caseworkers—a maze that becomes a trap for welfare dependence instead of a secure path out of poverty.

The One Door Model makes it possible for the safety net to be a bridge rather than a barrier to opportunity. It does away with the disconnected programs and integrates human services with work support so beneficiaries who are capable of working have a clear, supportive, and accessible path to personal well-being and meaningful jobs.

The One Door Model provides welfare recipients with a greater sense of direction, dignity, and purpose, empowering people to become self-sufficient and enabling them to truly flourish.

FAQs about the government shutdown

Will SNAP benefits be paid in November 2025?

The federal government plans to use its emergency funds to provide SNAP benefits in November 2025. Unfortunately, these funds aren’t likely to cover all the SNAP assistance the government would usually distribute during the month. The payments will also be delayed because states will have to adjust their automated systems to distribute reduced amounts.

Will WIC benefits be paid in November 2025?

The federal government has currently made funds available to pay WIC benefits for the first few weeks of November 2025.

Are Head Start programs affected by the shutdown?

Head Start programs provide early learning, health, and well-being services to families with young children. The programs receive funding from the federal government, and many are closing due to the shutdown. Some are staying open by providing limited services, reducing staff, or shortening operating hours.

Where can Georgia families go for food assistance?

Foodfinder.us is a free, nonprofit website and mobile app that helps people find nearby food pantries and free food programs. Users can easily search for local support by entering their zip code.
Feeding Georgia is a statewide network of food banks that collaborates to end hunger in Georgia. Its website offers helpful links to local food resources.

Where can Georgians get help to find work quickly?

The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s BETTER WORK program partners with employers and local resources throughout Gwinnett County and the city of Columbus to connect people with training and support services and to help them find meaningful work.

How are government shutdowns related to welfare benefits cliffs?

A benefits cliff occurs when an individual, family, or household loses more in benefits from government assistance programs than it gains from additional earned income. When a person experiences a benefits cliff, they are thrust into serious difficulties: losing housing, going hungry, fearing that their children will be taken by Child Protective Services, and more. A government shutdown can have similar effects to benefits cliffs because it can cause big delays or cuts to essential safety net program payments. This creates significant financial hardship for people who are struggling and can push them deeper into poverty.

What are the political games in D.C. costing communities?

Americans deserve better than having their day-to-day well-being threatened by political dynamics in D.C. Shutdowns result when federal leaders devote energy to political distractions instead of bipartisan opportunities to fix our broken safety net system. This costs millions of people the chance for a more fulfilled, self-sufficient life.

We need a safety net system that gives people hope and independence from D.C. To make that possible, the current government shutdown needs to end so legislators can get back to the work of serving people—truly putting citizens’ needs first and creating policies that allow Americans to escape poverty and flourish.

Group offers recommendations to address Atlanta’s spike in violent crime

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 26, 2023

Group offers recommendations to address Atlanta’s spike in violent crime

A Georgia public policy group has released a report offering suggestions on mitigating Atlanta’s uptick in violent crime.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity suggests the city focus on disrepair by expanding cleanup efforts, addressing abandoned buildings and installing adequate street lighting. It also recommended city officials build trust between residents, law enforcement and social services.

Other recommendations include implementing gang-enhancement provisions, requiring pre-entry cognitive behavioral therapy services for juvenile offenders and using a third party to examine reentry programs.

“The brief and its recommendations are designed to create a base level of what order and public safety should look like across the board,” Josh Crawford, director of criminal justice initiatives at GCO, said in an announcement. “It’s imperative that we have an intentional conversation about the state of crime in Atlanta now, and how we can improve that for the future.”

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Empowering South Columbus Through Collaboration: C3 Job Fair Success

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Aug 28, 2023

C3 job fair, Columbus ga, better work Columbus

Empowering South Columbus Through Collaboration: C3 Job Fair Success

Key Points

Community Collaboration for Empowerment: The Collaborative Community Connection (C3) organized a successful job fair in South Columbus through a partnership involving various entities, including the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley, Goodwill Southern Rivers, YMCA of Metro Columbus GA, BETTER WORK Columbus team, and more.
Diverse Employment Opportunities: The job fair showcased a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, and retail, providing immediate employment opportunities.
Impact and Hope for Neglected Community: Better Work Columbus played a significant role in assisting job seekers and facilitating connections with potential employers. Beyond the event’s surface, the job fair highlighted the significance of community support for an often-neglected area.

In a display of community solidarity, the Collaborative Community Connection (C3) recently hosted a transformative job fair at the Frank Chester Recreation Center. This dynamic partnership, comprising entities such as the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley, Goodwill Southern Rivers, YMCA of Metro Columbus GA, our BETTER WORK Columbus team and more, united to channel resources where they’re needed most in South Columbus. The event’s spotlight shone on a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, and retail, all of which offered immediate employment opportunities. With local employers like Pratt and Whitney, Aflac, and Kia in attendance, the job fair collectively sought to fill over 2,000 positions.

One organization that played a pivotal role in the success of the event was Better Work Columbus. Their on-site assistance and support proved invaluable in helping job seekers navigate the job fair and connect with potential employers.The job fair’s impact reverberated beyond the surface, as it underscored the importance of community support in an area that has often faced neglect. By uniting organizations with a shared goal of upliftment, C3 demonstrated their unwavering belief in the untapped potential and inherent value of South Columbus residents.

Beyond the event’s surface, the job fair highlighted the significance of community support for an often-neglected area. It emphasized the belief in the potential of South Columbus residents and demonstrated that collaborative efforts can lead to transformative change and a brighter future for the community.

The C3 job fair not only provided a platform for individuals to secure gainful employment but also symbolized a beacon of hope for an often-overlooked community. It signified that collaborative efforts, like those of C3, can bridge gaps, open doors, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. As this successful event has shown, when a community comes together with dedication and purpose, it can spark transformative change and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.