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

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

by | 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.

Frightfully pricey treats: Why Halloween fun is costing Georgia families more

Frightfully pricey treats: Why Halloween fun is costing Georgia families more

by | Oct 28, 2025

Georgia's favorite halloween candy is getting more expensive

Frightfully pricey treats: Why Halloween fun is costing Georgia families more

Key Points

  • Candy and chewing gum prices have increased by 38% in just the last five years. These costs have even outpaced the 25% increase in grocery prices during the same period.
  • With rising costs of living, many Georgia families are struggling to cover their basic needs. This leaves them with little extra to buy fun treats like Halloween candy.
  • Georgia policymakers can help put money back into Georgians’ pockets by fixing regulations that make housing unaffordable, removing barriers to good jobs, and restructuring safety net programs to help people find rewarding work.

As Halloween approaches, Georgia families usually look forward to making great memories involving irresistibly adorable costumes and big candy hauls. Many of us know—maybe even from our own childhood experiences—that trick-or-treaters often cheer with delight when they find their favorite sweets in their candy bags.

Halloween is the season for treats. It’s the biggest day of the year for candy sales, slightly surpassing Valentine’s Day. Data on consumer purchases shows that Georgia’s favorite Halloween candies are Life Savers, Jolly Ranchers, and Trolli gummies, with M&M’s and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups following close behind.

Most of us indulge in these sweet treats every now and then, especially around Halloween. But for many Georgia families, candy is becoming hard to afford. 

Candy and chewing gum prices have increased by an astonishing 38% over the last five years. That’s even more than grocery prices, which have gone up 25% during the same period.

Halloween candy prices have gone up 38% in just the last five years.

Candy and chewing gum prices, January 2021 to July 2025

For chocolate treats in particular, recent bouts of bad weather and crop diseases have damaged cocoa trees around the world. This has led to a cocoa shortage that has driven up prices. 

High costs like these are making it difficult for some Georgians to give their children and their young neighbors the happy and memorable Halloween they’re hoping for.  

The struggle to afford life in Georgia (beyond Halloween candy)

Many low- and middle-income families in Georgia are struggling to cover the basic costs of living, as prices for just about everything seem to be rising. The increasing costs add extra hardship to the many barriers that already impact people’s well-being and their ability to afford the occasional fun extras like Halloween candy.

  • Shortage of affordable housing: At least 94 of Georgia’s 159 counties don’t have enough housing for their residents. The shortage is driving up prices and making affordable homes hard to come by. High mortgage rates, rising costs of construction materials, and a big increase in Georgia’s population since 1980 are contributing to the problem. Restrictive local regulations regarding land use and infrastructure, including roads and water lines, are making the housing shortage even more severe.

  • Barriers to work and upward mobility:About a quarter of prime age (25-54) adults aren’t working in 96 Georgia counties. Many of these Georgians are facing limited economic opportunities in their communities. And some workers feel forced to stay in low-paying jobs to remain eligible for the safety net benefits that protect their family’s well-being. These difficult situations keep people from rising out of poverty and growing their income.

Policy solutions Georgia can’t afford to ignore

Georgia lawmakers have the ability to make valuable reforms that would help people have more money in their pockets for family expenses.

  • Fewer housing regulations: To increase the supply of lower-priced houses, local leaders in Georgia need to allow greater flexibility in lot sizes in new subdivisions. They should also grant more permits for varied housing types—like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes—and for additional homes near commercial centers. These changes would enable builders to construct more affordable homes.

  • Reduced occupational licensing requirements: Georgia policymakers have many opportunities to lower barriers to meaningful work and upward mobility, including by reducing occupational licensing requirements. These licenses are typically mandatory for certain professions. By implementing licensing reforms, lawmakers could open more doors for workers, streamlining processes and removing some of the exclusions for people who have been incarcerated.

  • Revamped welfare system: To improve Georgia’s welfare system, state lawmakers should explore a “One Door” strategy for managing safety net and workforce services. In this scenario, both benefits and job training support would be linked together in a single location. This would provide welfare recipients with a clear path back into the workforce and toward financial independence.

These vital policy changes would strengthen and stabilize Georgia families, helping to lift them above the poverty line and making it possible for them to thrive, even in the face of rising costs. Strong families, in turn, would help their communities prosper. And with more opportunities to flourish, life would be sweeter for Georgians—not just at Halloween but all throughout the year.

Additional Resources

Eliminating the Benefit Cliff and Achieving Savings for Taxpayers: A Reform Proposal for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(American Enterprise Institute)

End Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility in SNAP and Address Benefit Cliffs
(American Enterprise Institute)

State Occupational Licensing Index 2025
(Archbridge Institute)

Georgia: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

A Better Way to Get Welfare Recipients Back into the Labor Force
(City Journal)

Non-Working Adults Concentrated in Georgia’s Distressed Communities
(Georgia Center for Opportunity)

Solving the Food Assistance (SNAP) Benefits Cliff
(Georgia Center for Opportunity)

Short Supply: How Many More Homes Does Georgia Need?
(Georgia Public Policy Foundation)

SNAP Data Tables
(U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service)

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Decarceration’s Disconnect: Corrections spending rises in Georgia even as prison population declines

Decarceration’s Disconnect: Corrections spending rises in Georgia even as prison population declines

by | Oct 9, 2025

Georgia prison spending has increased, even as prison populations have declined.

Decarceration’s Disconnect: Corrections spending rises in Georgia even as prison population declines

Key Points

  • The nation’s prison population has declined in many states, including in Georgia, but a new report shows that prison reforms to decrease the number of inmates haven’t translated into meaningful taxpayer savings.
  • Departments of Corrections budgets are actually increasing throughout the country, but prison costs still account for no more than about 5% of most states’ total budgets.
  • Instead of focusing on state prison budgets and costs per inmate, policymakers need to consider the total cost of crime—both monetary and social—that a community pays and how to reduce it.

Prison reform debates often focus on reducing prison populations to save taxpayers money. But is that actually possible?

In a new report for the Manhattan Institute, Joshua Crawford, a Public Safety Fellow at the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), argues that marginally decreasing prison populations doesn’t yield the taxpayer savings policymakers have long touted. Crawford also shows that continuing to focus mainly on cost savings instead of on other measures to reduce crime and recidivism may lead to unintended fiscal and social consequences for states, including Georgia.

To understand this argument, it’s essential to first understand the landscape of state prison populations and the associated costs of incarcerating an individual.

Understanding prison populations and associated costs

State prison populations decreased by 24% overall between 2010 and 2023, with 43 out of 50 states experiencing a decline. But despite those significant decreases, Departments of Corrections budgets haven’t followed suit. 

In fact, Crawford’s report shows there is little to no relationship between changes in prison populations and changes in corrections spending. 

Departments of Corrections budgets are actually increasing, but corrections costs still account for no more than about 5% of most states’ total budgets. 

Nevertheless, many policymakers and advocates continue to argue that cutting prison populations will save money. So where is the disconnect between the numbers and the messaging? 

Most often, the total cost per inmate per year is calculated by dividing the total costs of the prison system by the number of incarcerated people, but this is a misleading figure. Many of the more costly parts of a Department of Corrections budget (e.g., staff salaries, utility bills) are long-run or fixed costs that don’t vary with marginal changes in a prison’s population. To get a more accurate estimate of possible savings, it’s more important to consider short-run costs, like food and toiletries, which can vary immediately with a change in a prison’s population.

Interpreting the numbers for Georgia prisons

Georgia is one of the 43 states that, on average, saw a decrease in their prison populations between 2010 and 2023. The state experienced an 11.7% decrease in the number of inmates during that time. 

Georgia falls in line with overall national trends year over year. The figure below illustrates the decrease in both Georgia’s and the nation’s number of incarcerated people. The biggest departure was in 2019, when Georgia seemingly had a sharp increase, but that increase was actually minimal at just 2.2%.

And like most states in recent years, Georgia saw a rebound in the number of inmates after the COVID-19 pandemic, when more people were released to help alleviate stress on prison systems.

Georgia's prison population decreased between 2010 and 2023, in line with national trends.

Black Line = National Trend, Blue Line = Georgia Trend

The data for Georgia also reinforces the lack of a relationship between the change in the number of inmates and the change in corrections spending. The table below reveals that even though Georgia’s prison population decreased from 2010 to 2023, corrections spending increased 23.6% during that time.

Georgia's prison population decreased from 2010 to 2023, but prison spending went up during that time.

Data from 2019 further reinforces this absence of a relationship. During that year, Georgia saw a very slight increase of 1,169 people in its prison population, but the state spent $21,430 less on corrections that year compared to 2018.

A better focus for Georgia policymakers

Instead of focusing on state prison budgets and costs per inmate, policymakers need to consider the total cost of crime—both monetary and social—that a community pays and how to reduce it. 

Crime itself costs our nation anywhere from $2.6 trillion to $5.76 trillion each year, with violent crime accounting for 85% of those costs. A single homicide can cost upwards of $9 million in government resources and lost potential earnings of victims. This doesn’t account for the financial burdens it can put on families and communities. 

In addition to the monetary cost of crime, communities pay a significant social price—and none more so than high-crime, impoverished areas. Effective public safety measures are foundational to upward mobility. Without them, these communities will continue to see the loss of businesses, local resources, and community connections that help people flourish.

With this in mind, policymakers and advocates should refocus criminal justice efforts toward reforms proven to reduce crime and recidivism. Improvements on both of these fronts generate cost savings of their own, in addition to saving lives and lowering fear of personal harm.

Best practice criminal justice reforms fall into eight solution categories that could spark meaningful change:

  • Addressing community disrepair
  • Investing in a well-trained police force
  • Building trust by protecting victims
  • Addressing gang violence
  • Addressing the low number of homicide detectives and low clearance rates
  • Ensuring appropriate sentencing
  • Implementing cognitive behavioral therapy for juvenile offenders
  • Evaluating and updating re-entry programs

In Georgia, policymakers and advocates should consider these specific efforts to reduce crime and recidivism:

  • Implementing reforms to help law enforcement close non-fatal shooting cases (e.g., the Firearm Assault Shoot Team in Denver, Colorado)
  • Broadening cognitive behavioral therapy offerings for juvenile offenders, which has shown promising results in juvenile recidivism rates
  • Prioritizing data collection and evaluation to help guide future programs and reforms
  • Helping communities through a holistic approach that includes job training and opportunities, affordable housing, and family programs

In addition to the above policy suggestions, GCO has prepared in-depth reports focusing on reducing crime in two major Georgia cities—Atlanta and Columbus.

As Crawford says of potential criminal justice reforms in Georgia, “lawmakers should focus conversations about criminal justice where they belong: on protecting the public and creating a fair and just system that values the lives, liberty, and property of Georgia families.” In doing so, policymakers can transform entire communities by making them safer for the people who live there.

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Recasting Lawrenceville as a resilient, connected community

Recasting Lawrenceville as a resilient, connected community

by | Sep 30, 2025

Higher numbers of non-working adults are concentrated in Georgia communities struggling with poverty and distress.

Recasting Lawrenceville as a resilient, connected community

Lawrenceville, Georgia, launched a unique partnership called ReCAST (Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma) in 2021 to address poverty and expand opportunities in the city. 

Because growing vibrant, resilient communities isn’t ever a solo endeavor, ReCAST coordinators connected with local organizations that could meet the needs of underserved residents where it mattered most—in Lawrenceville’s homes and neighborhoods. 

ReCAST engages three dynamic partners to meet its goals. Impact46 provides essential housing services to people experiencing financial hardship. View Point Health offers mental and behavioral health assistance. And the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) helps chronically unemployed or underemployed people prepare for and find rewarding work.

Eric Cochling, GCO’s Chief Program Officer and General Counsel, noted:

“We chose to participate in ReCAST because of the comprehensive approach to addressing community needs envisioned by the initiative. The focus on collaboration among local groups and on helping families develop community relationships reflects GCO’s method of supporting people in need.”

Lawrenceville recently produced a mini-documentary highlighting the third year of ReCAST’s accomplishments. It shows what’s possible when community members unite to open doors to a brighter future for local residents.

Connecting Lawrenceville job seekers with meaningful work

Employment plays a key role in healing communities after stress and trauma. In Gwinnett County, where Lawrenceville is located, GCO’s BETTER WORK program furthers ReCAST’s goals by bringing together local employers, nonprofits, and mentors to help people find fulfilling jobs close to home.

Carolina Pachon, GCO’s BETTER WORK Program Manager in Gwinnett County, explained that the program changes lives by giving people “a sense of hope, stability, and a way forward.”

As part of the BETTER WORK initiative, GCO offers a class called Jobs for Life. The class teaches valuable work skills, but it’s much more than a job training or placement course. It helps participants form the supportive community relationships that can point them in a new direction in life.

During the class, Jobs for Life students learn that meaningful work brings more than just a paycheck. It provides a sense of dignity and purpose that’s essential for human flourishing. A rewarding job also gives workers the confidence and courage to rise out of poverty and build a better future. This resiliency then spreads, revitalizing and strengthening workers’ families and communities as well.

GCO’s programs are particularly impactful in Lawrenceville, where many residents struggle with barriers to opportunity. The city’s poverty rate is 17.2%, well above Gwinnett County’s average rate of 10.5%. The higher poverty rate also correlates with data showing that about 19% of prime-age (25-54) adults in Lawrenceville aren’t currently working.

Sparking change in a young man’s life

Josiah, a young Lawrenceville resident, found Jobs for Life at a point when he most needed his local community to listen and offer support. He was having a hard time finding a sense of purpose in his life.

Carolina described Josiah as shy at first, but during the class, she saw a big transformation in his mindset. Josiah’s self-esteem soared as facilitators and fellow students created a caring community around him. At the end of the program, he gave an inspiring graduation speech emphasizing the significance of the personal connections he’d made. “I’ve come to believe that the purpose of life is to build meaningful relationships with people,” he shared.

Josiah now works in a restaurant and has a passion for cooking. He’s looking for ways to combine this enthusiasm with his desire to serve others. “I’m super excited,” he said.

Josiah offered this valuable advice to others who are struggling: “Let go of uncertainty. If you think you want to do something, do it.”

Making Lawrenceville a true hometown

Communities grow stronger when people invest in the well-being of their neighbors. ReCAST enables Lawrenceville residents to do just that through vital local initiatives.

Support for neighbors who need a hand empowers people like Josiah to take meaningful steps forward, to rise out of poverty, and to help the whole community thrive. The interconnectedness that ReCAST has set in motion makes Lawrenceville a true hometown—a place to belong—for the individuals and families who live there.

GCO welcomes new team members to grow our BETTER WORK initiative

GCO welcomes new team members to grow our BETTER WORK initiative

by | 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:

Non-working adults concentrated in Georgia’s distressed communities

Non-working adults concentrated in Georgia’s distressed communities

by | Sep 2, 2025

Higher numbers of non-working adults are concentrated in Georgia communities struggling with poverty and distress.

Non-working adults concentrated in Georgia’s distressed communities

In 96 of Georgia’s 159 counties, at least a quarter of prime-age (25-54) adults aren’t working, according to the Economic Innovation Group’s recently updated Distressed Communities Index (DCI). 

The higher percentage of non-working adults in these counties surpasses the national rate of 20.9%. It also contributes to more Georgians living in distressed communities, where residents face challenges to accessing opportunities that make it possible to break out of poverty. While the numbers of non-working adults vary significantly throughout Georgia, they are a strong reminder that communities and lawmakers must continue to support and empower adults who have the ability to enter the workforce.

Workforce participation a key factor in community well-being

The number of adults not working is one of several statistics the DCI uses to determine where communities fall on the spectrum of well-being and economic opportunity. Other factors include the number of people without a high school diploma or equivalent, the housing vacancy rate, the median household income, and the share of the population below the poverty line. 

The latest DCI update shows that 16.8% of Georgians are living in distressed communities (approximately 1.8 million people), and another 18.3% live in “at risk” communities (approximately 2 million people). 

In particular, the statewide percentage of prime-age adults who don’t work is 28.1%, which is about 7% above the national rate. Some counties significantly exceed the state average. For example, in Stewart County, just south of Columbus, 63.4% of prime-age adults aren’t working. Morgan County, on the east side of Atlanta, has the lowest percentage of non-working adults at 15.3%. 

The numbers of non-working adults correlate with poverty rates in counties across Georgia. While the national share of the population living below the poverty line is 12.4%, Georgia’s overall rate is 13.5%. Stewart County, discussed above, has a poverty rate of 27.8%. In contrast, Morgan County’s poverty rate is just 7.4%.

Use the table below to see how many adults aren’t working in your community.

Number of non-working adults compared to the unemployment rate

It’s important to note that prime-age adults not working is a separate workforce issue from Georgia’s unemployment rate. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but aren’t currently employed. In contrast, non-working adults are people who aren’t employed and are not actively looking for work. 

In Georgia, disengagement from work tends to be a bigger issue further outside Atlanta. The map below illustrates that several of the counties surrounding Atlanta have lower percentages of non-working adults, and they typically have unemployment rates close to Georgia’s overall unemployment rate of 3.4%.

Benefits of work beyond the economic aspect

The DCI focuses primarily on economic well-being, showing how it improves as people enter the workforce. But our research has found that there are many other non-financial benefits of work, especially for communities struggling with long-term or generational poverty. 

Evidence shows that working provides a stronger sense of self-esteem, dignity, and purpose for employed people. 

Work also improves mental and physical health. Working adults often experience less anxiety, fewer symptoms of depression, a decreased risk of suicide, and lower mortality rates. Greater opportunities for upward mobility can enhance these positive effects.

The families of those who work are more stable as well, and the children of working adults tend to have stronger academic performance and future income for themselves. 

A thriving workforce also changes entire neighborhoods for the better. More adults working contributes to more positive engagement in the community overall, greater opportunities for job growth, and increases in services and resources. Employment has also been linked to reductions in crime and recidivism.

Helping Georgians experience the benefits of work

It’s crucial that both policymakers and communities throughout Georgia continue their steadfast efforts to encourage non-working adults to enter the workforce. Doing so will lift distressed communities and narrow the economic and social gaps that separate them from their more prosperous neighbors. 

As local organizations support and empower people who are considering work, they can also take the opportunity to help those individuals recognize how working can cause a ripple effect of rewarding changes, creating a more hopeful future and a greater quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

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