Creating links that change lives: Georgia Center for Opportunity partners with Connect to Work GA

by Marie Ladino | Dec 11, 2025

Georgia Center for Opportunity and Connect to Work GA have partnered to help more job seekers find rewarding work in the Atlanta area.

Creating links that change lives: Georgia Center for Opportunity partners with Connect to Work GA

Key Points

The Georgia Center for Opportunity and Connect to Work GA have entered into a valuable partnership that will link job seekers with rewarding jobs in the Atlanta area.
The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s BETTER WORK program will prepare clients for work, and Connect to Work GA will then introduce them to employers.
This collaboration will help lift job seekers above the poverty line by providing opportunities for successful careers and upward mobility.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) entered into a dynamic partnership with Connect to Work GA in October 2025. Together, the organizations will link participants in GCO’s BETTER WORK program with rewarding jobs in the Atlanta area.

Eric Cochling, GCO’s Chief Program Officer and General Counsel, shared that “GCO is thrilled to partner with Connect to Work GA because it gives our BETTER WORK clients access to the powerful business network of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the expertise of the Connect to Work team.”

Work is a gateway to a better future, and this collaboration will create a clearer path out of poverty and toward opportunity for many job seekers across Georgia.

Connecting Georgians to work and upward mobility

GCO’s BETTER WORK program joins forces with employers and local organizations in Gwinnett County and in the city of Columbus. Through these strong partnerships, GCO connects people with training and support services that can help them find meaningful work.

Connect to Work GA was launched by the Metro Atlanta Chamber in February 2025, with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The Foundation focuses on increasing access to career pathways for Georgians—and particularly for young people—so they can grow and thrive.

In the spirit of the Foundation’s mission, the Chamber strives to advance economic growth around Atlanta, and Connect to Work GA contributes to that goal by bridging the gap between pre-qualified job candidates and employers who want to build their teams.

In the new relationship between GCO and Connect to Work GA, GCO’s BETTER WORK program will prepare clients for work by providing them with resume support, interview coaching, and job readiness training. Connect to Work GA will then link those individuals with employers by matching their skills with staffing needs.

GCO will be a preferred provider of job candidates from Gwinnett County, giving GCO’s BETTER WORK clients a promising opportunity to find rewarding jobs with Metro Atlanta Chamber member companies.

Collaborating to build hope and vibrant communities through work

GCO and Connect to Work GA share the goal of making sure that every Georgian has the chance to experience the sense of dignity, purpose, and potential that comes from a meaningful job and upward mobility. They also aim to help communities across the state benefit from more successful businesses and vibrant local economies.

Together, the organizations will remove barriers to work and open doors to opportunity. In doing so, they will inspire hope and turn poverty into flourishing for many more Georgians, their families, and their communities.

GCO welcomes new team members to grow our BETTER WORK initiative

by Cierra Johnson | Sep 17, 2025

Parental love helps children gain the emotional health, behavioral skills, and academic success that unlocks social mobility.

GCO welcomes new team members to grow our BETTER WORK initiative

The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) is pleased to welcome two new team members, Mariah Thomas and Angelique Valentine. They will be program specialists for our BETTER WORK initiative.

BETTER WORK empowers communities to be the first line of assistance for local residents experiencing poverty and unemployment. The initiative brings together employers, nonprofits, and local organizations, creating a community support system that prepares people for work and helps them connect with local job opportunities.

BETTER WORK goes far beyond helping people to provide for their families financially. It encourages individuals to recognize their full potential and reconnect with work as a key source of dignity, purpose, and belonging in their lives.

In their roles, Mariah and Angelique are the first point of contact for BETTER WORK clients—many of whom have experienced significant bias and struggle to trust others. Because of this, Mariah and Angelique prioritize clear communication; consistent follow-through; transparency; and a strong, supportive presence.

Mariah and Angelique guide new clients through the BETTER WORK program, lead interview training to boost confidence, and manage volunteer support. One of the most impactful parts of their roles is meeting with clients one-on-one for career assessments, resume help, and mock interviews. Through these responsibilities, Mariah and Angelique are helping people take meaningful steps toward a better future.

“Together, Mariah’s and Angelique’s combined strengths will make them highly effective in supporting our clients with their job search needs. They draw on their unique life experiences to empathize deeply with clients and understand the challenges they face while seeking employment,” said Kristin Barker, Vice President of Workforce Solutions at GCO. “We can anticipate more successful interviews and new hires, as clients feel genuinely heard and receive training that aligns more closely with employers’ needs.”

Mariah and Angelique each bring personal experiences and professional passion that make their positions at GCO especially meaningful to them. As a former human resources specialist for the city of Columbus, Georgia, Mariah has a firsthand understanding of people who aren’t typically given another chance after facing life’s twists and turns.

“Every person on this earth deserves a second chance, regardless of their background and circumstances,” said Mariah. “The GCO team strives to understand the needs of our community and works to find creative and practical solutions to correct the unfortunate realities that exist.”

Angelique has a unique perspective as a former participant in BETTER WORK’s Jobs for Life class, which helps students learn job skills, build positive mindsets around work, and form community relationships. During the class, Angelique discovered GCO’s commitment to the community and those who simply need a chance. In her new role, Angelique now has the opportunity to connect with people who feel misunderstood and yearn to make a difference.

“GCO is focused on the deeper issues. By addressing things like employment, education, and family support, they help create real, lasting change. It strengthens families, neighborhoods, and even future generations,” said Angelique.

Learn more about how we’re expanding opportunities for work in Georgia communities:

Graduate puts on ‘another shield of armor’ to build career, and a better life.

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Nov 19, 2024

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

Graduate puts on ‘another shield of armor’ to build career, and a better life.

As the time for his graduation ceremony approached, Michael Averett joined his classmates in a small classroom. He donned his cap and gown. Just down a short hallway, family and friends waited for the ceremony to commence. When asked for his thoughts, Averett said it was a great feeling. “It just feels like putting on another shield of armor to try to conquer my career,” Averett said.

Averett was one of nine students who graduated Nov. 14 from the Jobs for Life program at Victory Mission in Columbus, Georgia. Another group of students is scheduled to graduate this week from a Jobs for Life program at Spirit Filled Ministries.

Jobs for Life is 10-week class that’s free for participants and designed to help adults overcome barriers to employment, build confidence, and get ready for successful careers. “This night means I’ve achieved another milestone in my life to become a better person,” said graduate Michael Averett. The Georgia Center for Opportunity, as part of the BETTER WORK Columbus initiative, hosts the program, with BETTER WORK serving as the hub for the program in Columbus. They partner with local churches, provide administrative tools, and train leadership to host the classes.

Op-Ed: Hidden costs of getting a raise for America’s working poor

by Eric Cochling | Oct 2, 2024

Op-Ed: Hidden costs of getting a raise for America’s working poor

As Congress continues to debate the Farm Bill and the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a critical flaw in the U.S. safety net system remains largely unaddressed: benefits cliffs.

Our research, alongside studies from the Atlanta Fed and others, highlights a troubling reality. Many vital safety net programs penalize participants for working and earning “too much” money. These benefits cliffs mean that working poor who receive even a modest raise can suddenly see important benefits like child care, food stamps, and Medicaid dramatically reduced or eliminated entirely.

The loss often far exceeds the raise that triggered it. Compounding the issue, each of these programs is typically administered by different agencies and caseworkers in most states, leaving recipients unable to get a comprehensive view of their financial situation.

Read the full opinion in The Black Chronicle.

Op-Ed: Hidden costs of getting a raise for America’s working poor

by Eric Cochling | Oct 1, 2024

Op-Ed: Hidden costs of getting a raise for America’s working poor

As Congress continues to debate the Farm Bill and the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a critical flaw in the U.S. safety net system remains largely unaddressed: benefits cliffs.

Our research, alongside studies from the Atlanta Fed and others, highlights a troubling reality. Many vital safety net programs penalize participants for working and earning “too much” money. These benefits cliffs mean that working poor who receive even a modest raise can suddenly see important benefits like child care, food stamps, and Medicaid dramatically reduced or eliminated entirely.

Read the full opinion in The Center Square.

Strengthening Partnerships: Valley Hospital & Community Organizations

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 26, 2024

Strengthening Partnerships: Valley Hospital & Community Organizations

Featured in the Valley Hospitality Newsletter

We’re excited to share that on Thursday, September 19, 2024, Bella Marshall from our Human Resources team met with key leaders to solidify partnerships that will enhance our workforce initiatives at Valley Hospitality.

Bella had the pleasure of discussing collaborative opportunities with Margaret Jones, CEO of Jobs for Life, and Kristin Barker, VP of Workforce Solutions at Georgia Center for Opportunity & Better Work Columbus. These organizations play a pivotal role in workforce development and align with our commitment to building a strong and sustainable workforce.

The Better Work program is relational which is essential to our goal of life transformation. One way we do this is through Jobs for Life classes o_ered in partnership with churches and non-profits throughout our community.

This program teaches essential skills, incorporates meaningful relationships, and provides ongoing support to Jobs for Life graduates as they transition into the workforce. After completing the 10-week course, participants are not left to navigate the job market alone; instead, they become part of a supportive community committed to their success.

Graduates receive personalized assistance tailored to their unique needs, including connections to job interviewing opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations.

Valley Hospitality is excited to support these e_orts by helping provide these jobs, further strengthening our community through this meaningful partnership!