NEWS & OPINIONS
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...
Why Nonprofits Should Care and What to Do
Key Takeaways: Welfare cliffs and marriage penalties are discouraging people from work and forming families. The cliffs and penalties may mean that our clients are locked into poverty for much longer than they would be otherwise and despite our best efforts. GCO has...
U.S. Gross Domestic Product Update
U.S. Gross Domestic Product update U.S. Gross Domestic Product declined at a 1.4% rate in the first quarter of 2022. The numbers surprised economists, who had predicted a 1% gain.The Georgia Center for Opportunity's (GCO) take: "The tab is coming due for all the...
An epidemic of teen depression (and what to do about it)
An epidemic of teen depression (and what to do about it) Key Takeaways: In the last 10 years, the number of teens identifying as having "experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness" doubled. School connectedness was a key barometer of how well teens...
The U.S Reaches Highest Unadjusted Monthly Rate of Inflation Since March 1980
A look at the highest unadjusted monthly rate of inflation Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that in March the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.3%, not seasonally adjusted. This is the highest unadjusted monthly rate of inflation since March 1980....
MEDIA MENTIONS
Progressive Prosecutors and the Inconvenient Democratic Will | Opinion
"Punishment is never fated to 'succeed' to any great degree." A society that "intends to promote disciplined conduct and social control will concentrate not upon punishing offenders but upon socializing and integrating young citizens." Such was the optimistic...
Creating a path forward to reduce juvenile crime in Memphis | Opinion
n February, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis addressed the city council and told the story of an 11-year-old boy who had been arrested nine times and amassed 19 charges including multiple robbery, carjacking, and weapons charges. While this child may be particularly...
The Reasons Behind Witnesses Being Hesitant to Communicate with Law Enforcement Following a Crime.
In March, the Department of Justice released a report outlining examples of discrimination by LMPD in some arrest cases. LMPD is asking for tips from the public to help solve crimes, including a recent mass shooting in Chickasaw Park that left two dead. However, some...
Why Some Witnesses are Reluctant to Talk to Police After Crime
There are unsolved murders and crimes across the city, and in some cases lots of witnesses, but few tips. Almost two weeks ago, six people were shot in Chickasaw Park with two of them dying. Hundreds of people were in the park, but police have been begging for tips....
State Spotlight: Fighting for Students’ Futures in Georgia
What is it like when your child’s school is failing them? For Georgia mother Tanya Schlegel, it was heartbreaking. Her son “would routinely come home from school with tears in his eyes, saying the school wasn’t treating him fairly. I discovered they were not...
Looking at some of the causes, solutions to Louisville’s violence problem
As Louisville tries to get into the thunder and Derby spirit, violence hangs over the metro. We’ve heard from both sides of the political aisles about how to stop the bloodshed. Tonight the Jefferson County GOP heard some interesting thoughts in a presentation about...
Louisville leaders say violence reduction strategy falling short in key areas
According to the Louisville Metro Police Department, 2022 was the third-deadliest year in Louisville’s history. There were 160 homicides last year, a 150% increase from 2012 when the Metro finished the year with 64 homicides. “It is simultaneously fully...
Nelson Mullins – Gold Dome Report – Legislative Day 36
House Education Committee – Policy Subcommittee The Policy Subcommittee of the House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), met Monday to consider one measure: SB 233, authored by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), is the...
