by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Dec 3, 2013
The Governor’s Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform invited organizations from across the state to present recommendations for improving ex-offender outcomes at the Department of Corrections Headquarters in Forsyth, Georgia, Tuesday, November 26.
Eric Cochling, VP of Policy Advancement for Georgia Center for Opportunity, testified before the council with proposals generated from GCO’s Prisoner Reentry Working Group on ways to improve employment opportunities for Georgia’s ex-offenders.
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- Georgia Center for Opportunity’s Eric Cochling testifying before the Governor’s Criminal Justice Reform Council.
He outlined the following five recommendations for the state to consider implementing:
- Lift driver’s license suspensions for drug offenders who have not committed a driving-related crime.
- Ensure offender’s identification is secured prior to release so they will be ready to apply for a job upon leaving prison.
- Incentivize employers to hire ex-offenders through offering tax credits or deductions, a bonding program, and protection from liability.
- Increase ex-offenders’ chances of being hired by postponing questions about criminal convictions until after an interview has been conducted, with the state setting the example by implementing this recommendation for public employment first.
- Lift professional licensing restrictions to allow ex-offenders to work in occupations that were previously off-limits to them because of a felony conviction that is unrelated to the professional license being sought.
Testifying before the Governor’s Council proved to be a critical first step in presenting GCO’s working group findings to state leaders, as the council consists of legislative, judicial, and executive appointees, as well as representatives from various sectors of criminal justice at the state and local level.
Established by the Governor in 2011 to protect public safety and hold offenders accountable while controlling state costs, the council has proposed significant reforms for adult sentencing and corrections and juvenile justice. Due to the success of the council’s recommendations and landmark legislation being passed during the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions, Governor Deal commissioned the council to focus on improving prisoner reentry in the state next year, too.
For the upcoming 2014 legislative session, the council is working diligently to compile the best recommendations for the state to implement to reduce recidivism. However, due to the scope of this assignment, bills outlining the council’s recommendations may be introduced over the next couple of sessions.
Eric’s presentation received a positive response from council members leading them to ask several follow-up questions about other states that have enacted similar reforms. GCO is grateful for the opportunity to present and hopes that the council seriously considers our recommendations.
The recommendations for increasing employment opportunities for ex-offenders represent a sample of the reforms being proposed by GCO’s working group. Future recommendations will likely include ways to reduce debt and increase savings for prisoners, establish reentry courts, and implement specialized transitional centers across the state, among others.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Dec 3, 2013
A word from our CEO, Randy Hicks, about year-end giving
Georgia Center for Opportunity’s mission is to remove barriers to social and economic opportunity. Consider making a year-end gift to help GCO continue to fight for solutions to childhood poverty, family breakdown, failing schools, welfare dependency and unemployment. We value your partnership in this important work.
At GCO, we are committed to do what is necessary to improve the lives of individuals and families. In Georgia, only three out of ten poor children make it to the middle class by middle age. And even for those children, the threats of family breakdown, poor quality schools, and fewer jobs mean that today’s children are just as likely to move down the income scale as they are up. You can read more about the challenges and costs to society here.
According to social scientists Isabel Sawhill and Ron Haskins, American children can do three things that will almost eliminate the threat of falling into poverty:
- Graduate from high school
- Get a full time job
- Be married and at least 21-years-old before having children
Ninety-eight percent of those who did those three things are not in poverty today.
We have a three-step process for developing solutions and making them a reality. First, GCO brings experts together to dive into some of today’s biggest challenges and recommend both policy and community-based solutions. Second, GCO educates the public and advocates at all levels of policymaking. And third, GCO helps effective nonprofits get even better and build additional capacity to affect change. Read more about our approach here.
Currently, we have several initiatives underway in Prisoner Reentry, Breakthrough Communities, and College and Career Pathways that you can read about here, as well as on other posts on our blog. In 2014, GCO will launch panels on stronger families, community-based healthcare solutions, and other exciting work.
Will you invest in our work at this time?
The success we have had – and the success we will have – is tied to your investment in our work. A significant portion of our budget – and therefore our impact – is determined by gifts that are received during December. A gift of any size – $25, $100, $250, $1,000 – will make a difference. As always, please know that we are thankful for you and your generosity.
You may make a secure donation online here.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Nov 25, 2013
Did you miss our Taste Shop Give event on Thursday, November 7th? If so, you passed up an opportunity to experience some fantastic music, enjoy an incredible meal, bid on some amazing live auction items, and meet some awesome people who are dedicated to our mission at Georgia Center for Opportunity.
GCO’s third annual Taste Shop Give event was held at The Ballroom at Twelve, Atlantic Station. Former White House chef Walter Scheib prepared a formal State dinner in the same fashion as he has prepared countless banquets for heads of State during his tenure under presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The dinner included field greens with balsamic dressing and baked goat cheese; stuffed pecan crusted chicken breast filled with smoked mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes; parmesan risotto; French beans with a roasted yellow pepper sauce; and vanilla ice cream with warm banana caramel compote.
This mouthwatering meal was served up by our Breakthrough Ambassadors, high school students from Norcross High School. They did such a great job serving you would never have known they weren’t professionals.
Taste Shop Give 2013 featured uplifting musical entertainment from three inspirational solo artists, Mary Millben, Shay Watson and Peter Lee Johnson. Mary has been a featured vocal soloist at The White House and the Kennedy Center, and for events hosting presidents, George W. Bush and Barak Obama, and many others. She sang a gorgeous version of “Georgia on My Mind”, among other songs, for our Taste Shop Give guests. Shay Watson has carved out a place for himself in the global music community as a songwriter, artist and producer. He sang a few of his original pieces and together Mary and Shay sang a duet of “Oh Happy Day” which was quite moving. Peter Lee Johnson is a young violin genius who played a variety of popular cover songs during the evening. You can see below that even some of the Breakthrough Ambassadors joined in on the entertainment.
After the dinner, entertainment, and good conversation, the evening was wrapped up with a live auction. There were several great items auctioned off including an electric violin signed by Peter Lee Johnson, a home entertainment system, an Italian getaway, a premier cruise excursion, and an exclusive set of Pickard Whitehouse tableware – all donations are used to support our mission to remove barriers to opportunity and ultimately help more Georgians achieve a better life.
If you missed our event this year, please join us next year. If you were able to attend, we sincerely thank you for your support!!!
by gaopp | Oct 25, 2013
Breakthrough Norcross completed a series of meticulously planned working meetings and conversations with community stakeholders culminated on October 14th. This process was facilitated by GCO, but was driven by the nearly 70 non-profit, church, and other community leaders who have participated in the meetings. Each of these leaders have integral expertise and front line experience that provide insight into the specific barriers to opportunity that exist for Peachtree Corners and Norcross students.
The vision that these leaders have adapted for Breakthrough Norcross is:
Every child in the Norcross school cluster will have the necessary support to succeed academically, enter into a meaningful, self-sustaining career and develop into a contributing member of the community.
Success is not going to come easily, and it is certainly not going to come quickly, but this vision is worthy of intense pursuit, and given the unique mix of community assets and intervention programs within the Norcross cluster, I believe we are well positioned to begin the process of transforming our current reality into this great vision.
The image that comes to mind when I think of how this vision positions Breakthrough Norcross is one of a sculptor and large block of marble. Right now our community – the marble – definitely has some rough edges, and maybe some unsightly blemishes, but it’s still a large block of marble, ripe with potential.
Just as a sculptor starts with the end in mind, taking strategic, intentional action that will slowly move him toward his goal, we have painted a clear picture of where our efforts should take us, now all that’s left is to pick up the hammer and chisel. There will be some miss-strikes of the hammer, we might have to stop and re-tool for certain aspects of the project, and there will definitely be some blisters during the work. But, because we have a clear vision, we can now begin the work of making that vision into a reality.
by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Oct 22, 2013
You do not want to miss Taste Shop Give, Thursday, November 7th! If you were with us last year at the Atlanta History Center you will remember the great entertainment and awesome selection of auction items, as well as the featured favorite dishes of various U.S. Presidents, all prepared under the direction of renowned former White House chef Walter Scheib.
This year, Georgia Center for Opportunity’s third annual Taste Shop Give event will be held at The Ballroom at Twelve, Atlantic Station. The evening will include a live auction, allowing you the chance to bid on some fantastic items. Even better, Chef Scheib will be preparing a formal State dinner in the same fashion as he has prepared countless banquets for heads of State during his tenure under presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. You will also be presented with an inspiring story of his experience working at the White House when our great Nation was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. This is an exclusive perspective that few of us have the privilege to hear.
www.youtube.com/user/marymillben
Taste Shop Give 2013 will also feature uplifting musical entertainment from two inspirational solo artists, Mary Millben and Shay Watson. Mary has been a featured soloist at The White House and the Kennedy Center, and for events hosting presidents, George W. Bush and Barak Obama, and many others. She performed at the 43rd Super Bowl halftime show with Bruce Springsteen and made her New York theatre debut in the Ray Roderick musical ‘S Wonderful. Prior to entertainment, Millben served as a presidential appointee to President George W. Bush and was recently named a global ambassador for Education Africa.
Shay Watson (www.shaywatson.com) has carved out a place for himself in the global music community as a songwriter, artist and producer. He has written and recorded music with numerous U.S. artists in a variety of genres. He has also had chart success in Europe. Shay is actively involved in Mission of Mercy, a Christian relief mission that helps find sponsors for poverty stricken children in underprivileged areas of the world.
These two artists are not only talented musicians, but socially active contributors to society.
This year we have a generous donor who is willing to match up to $50,000 in donations collected the evening of Taste Shop Give. Donations will be used to support our Breakthrough Georgia initiative. Our mission is to remove barriers to opportunity and ultimately help more Georgians achieve a better life. We do this by focusing our research, advocacy and delivery support on pathways that lead to success and self-sufficiency.
You can become a part of our mission! Join us November 7th for and unforgettable evening. For more information and to register as a guest, please access our event website www.foropportunity.org/tasteshopgive.
by gaopp | Oct 16, 2013
A young, single, African-American woman sat in front of me. Having recently lost her job of six-years in the medical field, she was struggling to keep her apartment and had no other sources of support. I emphasized the importance of not to surrendering and not losing hope. She recognized that I supported and understood her yet she didn’t look me in the eye because she couldn’t hold back the tears. Anyone might find themselves in a similar situation and for different reasons. Before we had even finished talking, another family needed help with translating. In that short moment, I realized how important volunteering for the Norcross Co-Op Ministry can be.
As a research fellow for the Breakthrough Norcross initiative, I was able to spend time volunteering for the Norcross Co-Op Ministry during a GCO day of service. Upon first hearing its name, the Norcross Co-Op Ministry, I expected to walk into a church setting. Instead the Co-Op seemed more like an organized state social service agency.
Serving as an intake volunteer, I observed people sitting in the lobby waiting to be directed into private cubicles where they sat and discussed their issues. Each year the Co-Op serves over 10,000 people in addition to partnering with 28 local churches. These partnerships allow for more resourceful and effective service to the community by donating food, clothes, baby items, Christmas gifts or even financial aid for bills or rent. Uniquely, the Co-Op is the only non-profit organization in Gwinnett County that provides temporary housing for the homeless.
Shaken, individuals enter with no food, no home, or no hope. The crowds seeking aid range from young adults, single mothers, elderly, homeless, educated and previously wealthy. Sadly, an overwhelming percentage of those seeking aid are minorities. Many come in after an unexpected job loss and need help gaining marketable skills to compete for another job. They wonder about educational options such as degrees, certifications or high school diplomas. Most simply need aid to provide for their immediate necessities.
Life’s unexpected circumstances often weaken people causing their family, state of mind and financial resources to collapse. Those who suffer unexpected misfortunes or lack necessary resources may feel hopeless and even fall into deeper troubles. The Co-Op exists to be present in times of emotional or financial downturn where it seems that there is no way out. In recognizing the value for a positive attitude and hope for a better future, the Co-Op is able to recommend churches and spiritual support. Its staff and volunteers instill hope and purpose while establishing trust with the community and providing essential resources.
This perspective is foundational to the Co-Op. The building was donated by businessman Jim Ellis, owner of a host of car dealerships throughout the region, in honor of his son who committed suicide. The Co-Op works to combat similar feelings of hopelessness. That is why the Co-Op has an exemplary ability and vision to change lives. We all have a hope for a better future; the Co-Op makes sure that the people who enter seeking help have reached hope and an expectation to change the reason why they entered in the first place.
