NEWS & OPINIONS
Partnerships and Building Blocks Come Together in Columbus
Building a stronger network of resources On November 4th, BETTER WORK Columbus hosted a reception to announce a new partnership with Jobs for Life to bring its proven curriculum and a nationally recognized program to help struggling people find meaningful,...
New report details the economic devastation of COVID-19 shutdowns in the 50 states
GCO’s study compares each state’s response to the pandemic and measures the impact it had on local communities and their ability to work.
BETTER Work Network is Growing in Columbus
A Network of Partners is Growing in Columbus Columbus, Georgia has over 11,000 citizens identifying as unemployed, but the number of available jobs is over 6,000. What's the problem? Why are so many people not working? Kristin Barker serves as the program manager for...
#GivingTuesday 2021
Giving Opportunity The days following Thanksgiving have become jam packed with advertisements for all the product sales happening after the holiday. The volume of advertisements often becomes overwhelming and obnoxious. As we reflect on all we have accomplished this...
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Expected To Hurt Those In Need
The Farm Bureau Released A Report That The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Was Going Up Significantly. What is happening Many people are gathering for the first time in nearly 2 years for Thanksgiving. A recent Farm Bureau report shows the impact of Inflation and other...
Why Recidivism Rates are Dropping
In Georgia there has been a reduction in the rate of ex-offenders returning to prison. In the most recent report from the Georgia Department of Corrections, 25.3 percent of those released from all facilities (private, state, inmate boot camps, county, transition...
Breakthrough Event: From Prison To Opportunity
Our first Breakthrough event was a huge success as we gathered to discuss the impact reentry and second chances programs had on our communities. Check out all of the latest video and presentations from the event.
Nicole’s story: How a raise meant losing food stamp benefits for this mom of four
Nicole had high hopes when she moved her family from a rural area in south Georgia to Henry County in the Atlanta metro. The cost of living went up, but the job opportunities were more plentiful and paid much better: She went from making $25,000 a year to over $35,000...
Q&A with Curtis and Tonika on their experience in the Elevate class
The COVID-19 pandemic has put stress and strain on peoples’ relationships like few other times. In this challenging environment, the Georgia Center for Opportunity has stepped up to be involved in a new series of relationship enrichment classes called Elevate for...
Education Disruption
The COVID19 pandemic has disrupted many things here in America. As every parent knows, one of the major disruptions took place in the realm of education. News has been coming out that among the disruptions in education has been the number of parents choosing to...
Taking it to the Next Level
It was a rainy Thursday night in Georgia, but that didn’t stop couples from gathering for a night of food and fun, and strengthening couples and marriages in their relationships. #ElevateCouples Pop-up Event was hosted by GCO’s Family team (formerly Healthy Families...
BETTER WORK Co-hosts A Job Fair To Support Gwinnett Families Facing Housing Crisis
GCO partnered with the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry to help displaced families Today we're witnessing an unprecedented labor market, with a record-high 10.9 million unfilled job openings across the country in August. One of the key challenges we are facing is...
MEDIA MENTIONS
Georgia Senate passes bill to create state-funded education savings accounts
The Georgia Senate passed legislation to create state-funded education savings accounts. Under Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, taxpayers would fund $6,000 per student per school year. Families could use the money to defray "qualified" education...
‘School choice’ legislation is sweeping the nation. Here are the states where it’s been introduced
This year, there has been a spate of bills introduced around the country that would expand school choice programs following Arizona’s passage of universal school choice last year. Last week, Georgia’s Senate Education Committee voted to pass education savings account...
Georgia Senate committee advances education savings accounts bill
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance legislation creating state-funded education savings accounts. The committee voted 6-5 Tuesday afternoon in favor of Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act. “Too many times, education access in Georgia is...
Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, passed the Senate Education Committee
Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, passed the Senate Education Committee today in a 6-5 vote. Funded by the state in the amount of $6,000 per student for each school year, Promise Scholarships would allow families to find the right fit for...
Georgia Senate again pushes $6,000 school voucher bill
Georgia Senate Republicans are again pushing a plan to give $6,000 educational vouchers to many students, part of a nationwide push for what supporters call education savings accounts following the COVID-19 pandemic. The movement is fueled in part by fights over...
Georgia Senate again pushes $6,000 school voucher bill
Georgia Senate Republicans are again pushing a plan to give $6,000 educational vouchers to many students, part of a nationwide push for what supporters call education savings accounts following the COVID-19 pandemic. The movement is fueled in part by fights over...
A new bill in KY legislature simplifies expungement process
A new bill has been introduced in the Kentucky Legislature, House Bill 589, that simplifies the process of having criminal records expunged for people who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or class C felony that does not involve violence, sex, a child victim, or...
GCO applauds introduction of Promise Scholarship bill
The Georgia Center For Opportunity is thrilled to support new legislation introduced in the Georgia General Assembly creating Promise Scholarship Accounts. Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 233, The Georgia Promise Scholarship...
