City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

by | Jul 9, 2020

City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson’s newest task force is focusing on welcoming those who have previously been in prison back into the Savannah community and helping them become productive members of society.

It’s called Advocates for Restorative Communities in Savannah , better known as ARCS.

This re-entry task force is something that’s been in the works for quite a while now and it’s finally coming to life in Savannah. The goal of it all is to give those who have previously been in prison a second chance.

“In 2018 it was reported that over a half a million people in Georgia are behind bars in any of our institutions, state, local, our juvenile institutions or under criminal justice supervision. That’s about a fifth of Georgia’s population,” Georgia Southern Criminal Justice professor, Dr. Maxine Bryant said.

According to the Georgia Center for Opportunity, the recidivism rate is about 50% in the state of Georgia, when you take into account the number of people who commit a technical violation while on probation and parole along with those who recidivate after the standard three year time period.

 

 

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City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

Criminal record expungement bill clears Georgia House | The Center Square

by | Jun 25, 2020

Criminal record expungement bill clears Georgia House | The Center Square

A bill that would increase the number of criminal records that can be sealed was approved unanimously Wednesday by the Georgia House.

Senate Bill 288 would allow certain misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies to qualify for expungement.

The legislation is “an important step toward criminal justice reform” in the state, said Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, who presented the bill Wednesday on the House floor. “It’s a bill we can all agree on that will help millions of Georgians.”

More than 4 million residents have a criminal record, according to the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO). If the bill becomes law, Georgia will join 41 other states that have eased record sealing restrictions.

Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement the change in the expungement law is more crucial than ever as the state faces the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For many Georgians, the economic shock caused by coronavirus has meant job loss and financial hardship,” he said. “But think of the … Georgians with a criminal record who are in the same situation. For them, the path forward is seemingly insurmountable.”

 

 

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City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

Criminal record expungement bill clears Georgia House | Marietta Daily Journal

by | Jun 25, 2020

Criminal record expungement bill clears Georgia House | Marietta Daily Journal

A bill that would increase the number of criminal records that can be sealed was approved unanimously Wednesday by the Georgia House.

Senate Bill 288 would allow certain misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies to qualify for expungement.

The legislation is “an important step toward criminal justice reform” in the state, said Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, who presented the bill Wednesday on the House floor. “It’s a bill we can all agree on that will help millions of Georgians.”

More than 4 million residents have a criminal record, according to the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO). If the bill becomes law, Georgia will join 41 other states that have eased record sealing restrictions.

Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement the change in the expungement law is more crucial than ever as the state faces the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For many Georgians, the economic shock caused by coronavirus has meant job loss and financial hardship,” he said. “But think of the … Georgians with a criminal record who are in the same situation. For them, the path forward is seemingly insurmountable.”

Read the full article here

City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

Criminal record expungement bill clears Georgia House | Cherokee Tribune & Ledger

by | Jun 25, 2020

Criminal record expungement bill clears Georgia House | Cherokee Tribune & Ledger

A bill that would increase the number of criminal records that can be sealed was approved unanimously Wednesday by the Georgia House.

Senate Bill 288 would allow certain misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies to qualify for expungement.

The legislation is “an important step toward criminal justice reform” in the state, said Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, who presented the bill Wednesday on the House floor. “It’s a bill we can all agree on that will help millions of Georgians.”

More than 4 million residents have a criminal record, according to the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO). If the bill becomes law, Georgia will join 41 other states that have eased record sealing restrictions.

Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement the change in the expungement law is more crucial than ever as the state faces the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For many Georgians, the economic shock caused by coronavirus has meant job loss and financial hardship,” he said. “But think of the … Georgians with a criminal record who are in the same situation. For them, the path forward is seemingly insurmountable.”

 

Read the full article here

City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

99 Nonprofits to Receive Funding from ECMC Foundation Employee-Nominated Grant Program | YAHOO FINANCE

by | Jun 18, 2020

99 Nonprofits to Receive Funding from ECMC Foundation Employee-Nominated Grant Program | YAHOO FINANCE

LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ninety-nine nonprofit organizations will receive funding from ECMC Foundation as part of an annual program designed to give back to the communities where employees live and work. For the first time, ECMC Foundation will provide funding to all nonprofit organizations nominated by employees in an effort to bolster support to communities during this crucial time.

Chris Moder from the Altierus Career College-Norcross campus nominated the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) because of their work to support education and workforce opportunities in the community.

“Altierus shares GCO’s passion and engagement in innovative education and the preparation for and transition to purposeful employment. I’ve seen firsthand how lives are being transformed through their holistic approach, and I know the positive impact this grant will make,” said Moder. GCO received a $20,000 grant.

 

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City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL

Georgia think tanks call on Congress for more COVID-19 education support | CENTER SQUARE

by | May 29, 2020

 Two Georgia organizations are among a group of think tanks calling on Congress to expand access to education amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Free market nonprofits Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) and Georgia Public Policy Foundation and 16 other think tanks have sent a letter to congressional leaders asking to consider offering support to families, private schools and teachers and to improve internet access…

 

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