NEWS & OPINIONS
Education Promise Scholarships Should be a Winning Issue
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a watershed moment for expanding educational options for Georgia students. For many parents and families, the pandemic was the crisis point that showed them, in stark reality…
What the June inflation numbers mean for the poor
The inflationary environment in the U.S. and around the world continues to go from bad to worse. On July 13, the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics announced that in June the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.3%, not seasonally adjusted.
Meet Eric Watson of Express Employment Professionals
Eric Watson and his wife started Express Employment Professionals almost two decades ago. They focus primarily on long-term contract staffing in manufacturing, warehousing logistics, office administration, and professional placement.
Don’t miss our upcoming family Breakthrough event
Helping people have healthy relationships will result in nothing less than full community transformation. That’s the theme of an upcoming Breakthrough event focused on family and relational health sponsored by the Georgia Center for Opportunity.
Roadblocks to work make the world a sticky place
Key Points The hindrances to people finding work goes far beyond an unwillingness or inability to work. Those looking for work face many barriers that range from circumstantial to systemic and even policy roadblocks. It is important that we understand the roadblocks...
It’s Graduation Day!
Key Points First graduating class of Jobs for Life and BETTER WORK Columbus partnership Jobs for Life and BETTER WORK are joining forces to get help lift people out of poverty On July 7th the first group 11 men and women graduated from the Better Work Jobs for Life...
What freedom and liberty mean through the eyes of the poor
We just celebrated Independence Day in the United States., a time to reflect on the blessings of freedom and liberty that we enjoy as citizens of this great nation. It is also time to look through the eyes of our neighbors to ensure they have access to opportunities.
Why one woman turned down a $70K job due to the benefits cliffs
Key Points Frankie made an unexpected choice when she turned down a $70,000 a year job opportunity while living in hotel housing. Oftentimes people on safety net services make rational choices to stay on these services because the system would punish them before they...
WATCH: These powerful stories show why we need to share the Success Sequence each and every day
Key Points All young people — not just those who come from rich families — deserve to know this “secret to success”: get an education, work hard, get married, and then have children. No matter the challenges young people face, there is a path to build a bright future...
Better Work Providing On-Site Unemployment Assistance
Key Points BETTER WORK Columbus is launching a new service allowing us to assist clients on-site. BETTER WORK provides connections to local resources and work opportunities. Listening and responding to the needs of our community is how BETTER WORK better serves those...
Jobs For Life Collaborates With BETTER WORK in Columbus
A Partner For Life Several of the Chattahoochee Valley Poverty Reduction Coalition (CVPRC) member organizations attended the May 26th Jobs for Life class to share information on resources and talk with students about overcoming the roadblocks they face. Some of the...
Reality is Likely to be Far Less Rosy
Reality is likely to be less rosy... Some economists are hoping that inflation has peaked and will tick down in the coming months, after the pace of inflation slowed slightly in April. But Erik Randolph, director of research for the Georgia Center For Opportunity...
MEDIA MENTIONS

Joshua Crawford on Alabama’s Morning News with JT: Businesses Suffering from Violent Crimes
Young Voices commentator Joshua Crawford joins JT to explain how reining in violent crime helps those who need economic opportunity. Broadcast Tuesday, October 18th, 2022.

Several city leaders not sold on success of group violence intervention program
In the first year of implementation, group violence intervention program leaders believe they're seeing success. "We're seeing the results in the community and I think the numbers speak for themselves," group violence intervention program manager Dondre Jefferson...

Labor Participation Rate Remains Abysmal, but Former Inmates Provide Solutions
Official government unemployment numbers remain low, but the abysmal labor participation rate is a story too often ignored. Amazingly, The Washington Post notes that the prime male work rate is below 1940 numbers, the tail end of the Great Depression when unemployment...

State officials hold back Louisville plans for violence intervention
Louisville Metro Council members are asking why so few of the people associated with groups behind the city’s deadly violence are participating in a plan to end that violence.

Joshua Crawford on Common Sense America with Eden Hill
Young Voices commentator Joshua Crawford joins Eden Gordon Hill to explain how reining in violent crime helps those who need economic opportunity.

Joshua Crawford on Stacy on the Right: Businesses Suffering from Violent Crimes
Young Voices commentator Joshua Crawford joins Stacy Washington on SiriusXM Patriot to explain how reining in violent crime helps those who need economic opportunity. Broadcast Monday, October 17th, 2022.

Georgia policy group says inflation is not conquered, is becoming ingrained in economy
The country has not conquered inflation, and it has become ingrained in our economy, the research director of a leading Georgia policy group said.

We must rein in violent crime to help those who need economic opportunity
Businesses are moving out of cities and neighborhoods with rising crime rates. By abandoning these high-risk locations, these businesses take with them any job opportunities they provide to poorer residents.