Defending Ideas: How to empower those on the social safety net to pursue work and opportunity

In a recent interview with the Sutherland Institute’s Defending Ideas series, Randy Hicks, President and CEO of the Georgia Center for Opportunity, shared his vision for empowering individuals on the social safety net to achieve greater independence and opportunity.

Hicks emphasized the importance of fostering dignity through work, reducing barriers that trap individuals in poverty, and creating pathways to self-sufficiency. He discussed how programs like Georgia Center for Opportunity’s BETTER WORK initiative connect individuals with job resources, skills training, and community support. Hicks also highlighted the critical role of public policies in addressing challenges like benefits cliffs that can disincentivize employment.

The conversation underscored the need for collaborative efforts to build systems that encourage work, restore hope, and help individuals flourish in their communities.

Watch the full interview to explore innovative solutions to one of the most pressing challenges of our time.