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.
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.
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.
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.
Image Credit: Canva
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:
This week, we launched our Jobs for Life program with an inspiring open house, highlighting the life-changing opportunities available to individuals in our community. Through this free program, participants gain critical job skills, build confidence, and set themselves up for long-term success in the workforce.
At Georgia Center for Opportunity’s BETTER WORK Columbus initiative, we believe that investing in people is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating lasting change. Our partnership with Jobs for Life ensures that individuals not only receive job training but also the support and mentorship needed to thrive both personally and professionally.
In the news coverage from WTVM, you’ll see how this program is already creating a positive ripple effect in our community. From improving local employment rates to fostering a sense of belonging, Jobs for Life is transforming lives—and it’s just the beginning.
GCO’s BETTER WORK program partners with Jobs for Life to offer community-based job-training classes that help people build the skills, mindset, and confidence to pursue long-term, stable employment.
BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life are a powerful pair because both programs believe that every person has an inherent dignity and value. Together, these programs focus on helping people realize their worth, build purpose-filled lives, and find support and community.
The impact of this partnership shines in the success stories of participants like Quendasia and Tiarra, who found a renewed sense of purpose and vocation through the Jobs for Life class.
Quendasia’s life was changed forever when she was seriously injured in a car crash several years ago. The accident left her with a traumatic brain injury that made returning to work a challenge. She spent five years struggling with unemployment before hearing about the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO)BETTER WORK program—and its partnership with Jobs for Life.
Like many job-seekers, Quendasia discovered BETTER WORK in a moment of crisis or urgent need. And because GCO prioritizes building a network of community resources and employer partners, we were able to help her find support for her immediate needs.
But part of what makes BETTER WORK unique—and effective—is that we help people move from crisis into developing connections and a fresh mindset to pursue long-term, stable work. This is where BETTER WORK andJobs for Life (JFL) came alongside Quendasia to help her envision and pursue a professional path that was so much more than just a paycheck.
This gets to the heartbeat of GCO—to remove barriers to opportunity and foster thriving communities in which everyone can achieve their fullest potential. Work is a key piece of the puzzle—not only because it unlocks economic mobility, but also because it empowers people to find fulfillment in a sense of personal and collective purpose, structured routines, and relationships that lead to belonging and support.
Together, BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life empower people to see that they have a valuable place in their communities and can make unique contributions through work.
Together, BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life empower people to see that they have a valuable place in their communities and can make unique contributions through work.
Back in 2022, we recognized that the focus of our BETTER WORK initiative strongly aligned with the vision and values of Jobs for Life, a network of job-training groups available through churches and nonprofit organizations that break down barriers to work. Originally launched in 1996 in Raleigh, North Carolina, JFL is now available in more than 300 cities nationwide.
This shared vision led to a collaboration with the power to transform the lives of individuals, families, and whole communities.
In Columbus, which is home to one of our BETTER WORK chapters, we partner with Jobs for Life to offer an 11-week course that pairs participants with a one-on-one mentor. JFL’s curriculum has the benefit of incorporating essential skill training and behavioral development into its model. Each class provides two hours of instruction in soft skills, discussions on the importance of work in daily life, and exercises in character development.
Back to Quendasia’s story.
Prior to coming to Jobs for Life, she had a GED and she was planning to go to college. Through JFL, she honed practical and essential work skills—like how to interact with others and show up on time. These details seem small, but they are often the tools people need most to capably and confidently pursue meaningful work and realize their inherent personal value.
“Jobs for Life got my mind back on track for working. I met different people and learned different skills,” Quendasia shared. “Before Jobs for Life, I didn’t feel confident enough to get a job. I didn’t really believe in myself. But now I know I can do it.”
BETTER WORK’s Jobs for Life class in Columbus, GA, introduces participants to community resources and champions that offer support on their journeys to pursuing long-term, meaningful work.
The discovery of personal potential and worth is at the heart of BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life. Both programs share the core belief that everyone has an inherent, God-given dignity worthy of recognition and respect. Through their shared focus on relational support, human connections, and community, BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life empower people to see that they have a valuable place in their communities and can make unique contributions through work.
Today, Quendasia works at Piedmont Healthcare—an opportunity she never would have had without the support and networking she found through JFL.
The BETTER WORK partnership with Jobs for Life allows GCO to leverage our existing network of employers, community leaders, and resource providers to make JFL classes even more successful for the local churches and organizations that choose to host and sponsor the training in a BETTER WORK community.
Take one more example. Recently, Tiarra connected with BETTER WORK through our partnership with the Jobs for Life program. She was looking for new opportunities at a job fair after losing her job.
“The class pushed me even further,” Tiarra said. “I wouldn’t have ever found my mentor or the job I’m in right now. I love all the teachers. Every lesson was a blessing,”
Today, Tiarra is at Troy University online school working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work. “I used to live in fear, and now I embrace challenges and try to work through them instead of shying away from them,” she added.
Across the nation, the need for programs like BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life is significant:According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of February 2024, nearly 6.5 million Americans were unemployed, 22 million were underemployed, and 80% of workers were disengaged.
These numbers can seem overwhelming and even impossible to change. But that only becomes true when we forget that the biggest differences start close to home.
When it comes to empowering vibrant communities and upward mobility, the most important place to start is at the community level. That’s what BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life are built for. Quendasia and Tiarra’s stories are testimonies to the good that can come when mission-aligned programs like BETTER WORK and Jobs for Life work together to build hope and opportunities in the places where people need them most—in the communities where everyday lives are lived.
Key Points
Our BETTER WORK program harnesses the transformative power of local partnerships to get more people hired and build prosperous, stable communities.
Four standout collaborators—Essendant, Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, D.P. Jones Electrical, and Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries (CVEM)—are showing how business and nonprofit involvement can fuel economic opportunity and serve the holistic needs of those working to escape poverty.
Together, GCO and our partners are dedicated to more than building better work. We’re building environments where everyone has a chance to reach their full potential.
In the tapestry of a thriving community, threads of collaboration weave a narrative of hope and opportunity for those who need it most. The collective efforts of local organizations, community leaders, and neighbors form the foundation upon which individuals facing challenges can build a brighter future.
In the pursuit of creating a more prosperous and stable community, the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) BETTER WORK program has harnessed the transformative power of partnerships. Among these alliances, four standout collaborators—Essendant, Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, D.P. Jones Electrical, and Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries (CVEM)—exemplify how synergy between businesses and nonprofits makes it possible for communities to experience greater transformation and well-being.
Essendant: A Distributor with a Difference
Type of Business: Distinguished distribution company based in Suwanee, Georgia.
Partnership History: Has been an employer partner in GCO’s BETTER WORK Gwinnett (BWG) program since August 2022.
Their Impact: Essendant’s involvement is not merely transactional—it represents a commitment to community growth and development. By actively participating in the BETTER WORK program, Essendant contributes to the creation of a more vibrant and economically stable community.
Their commitment to the program is evident in their proactive approach, going above and beyond in reaching out and interviewing every candidate referred by GCO.
Their consistency in communication has been a cornerstone of their partnership. By keeping us updated on the progress of candidates, they ensure a transparent and collaborative process.
Three individuals referred by BWG have been employed at Essendant for over three months, highlighting the tangible impact of this partnership on local employment opportunities.
Type of Business: Nonprofit organization in Norcross, Georgia.
Partnership History: Has been a community partner since the inception of GCO’s BETTER WORK program.
Their Impact: NCM has stood as an unwavering partner, embodying values of compassion, faithfulness, and trustworthiness that align seamlessly with the BETTER WORK initiative’s people-centric approach. Their impact extends well beyond the professional realm, delving into the core of individual needs.
Their comprehensive support system—encompassing financial aid, shelter, and food resources—plays a pivotal role in empowering candidates referred by the BETTER WORK program.
NCM’s commitment to addressing the holistic needs of individuals creates an environment where securing employment becomes a stepping stone toward self-sufficiency.
Together, BETTER WORK and NCM orchestrate various initiatives, with NCM hosting job events that connect job seekers with potential employers. NCM’s clients benefit from the invaluable support provided by the BETTER WORK program, including job coaching, resume assistance, and essential career advice.
“Through these partnerships, GCO and our collaborators are doing so much more than building better work. We are tirelessly constructing a better future for all, fostering an environment where individuals can reach their full potential and proving that this approach is possible for any community seeking hope and opportunity.”
“Through these partnerships, GCO and our collaborators are doing so much more than building better work. We are tirelessly constructing a better future for all, fostering an environment where individuals can reach their full potential and proving that this approach is possible for any community seeking hope and opportunity.”
D.P. Jones Electrical: Illuminating Opportunities
Type of Business: Family-owned and operated business established in 1939.
Partnership History: Recent addition to the employer partner network for BETTER WORK Columbus.
Their Impact: D.P. Jones Electrical brings with them a legacy of customer satisfaction and an eagerness to give back to the community.
Their commitment to offering opportunities is exemplified by the employment of a BETTER WORK candidate who was initially feeling defeated in his job search.
The collaborative efforts between the candidate, the BETTER WORK team, and D.P. Jones Electrical resulted in permanent full-time employment. Edward Russel, the newest member of the D.P. Jones’ team, expresses his appreciation for working in a company that values him and shares his family values.
The company’s commitment to on-the-job training provides individuals like Edward with the chance to learn a trade while supporting their families.
Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries (CVEM): Empowering Communities in Times of Need
Type of Business: A non-profit outreach ministry in Columbus, GA
Partnership History: Community partner with BETTER WORK Columbus
Their Impact: CVEM stands as a beacon of support for individuals facing great need or crisis.
Collaborating with BETTER WORK Columbus, CVEM addresses concerns related to housing, medical expenses, household furnishings, education, and job-related expenses.
Their flexibility and responsiveness empower individuals to succeed as they position themselves for better job opportunities and futures.
Partnerships Unlock the Life-Changing Power of Work
It’s through local partnerships that we are able to help more people achieve a better life through the power of work. Partners like Essendant, Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, D.P. Jones Electrical, and Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries are a few of the shining examples that illustrate the positive outcomes that come from strategic alliances.
Through these partnerships, GCO and our collaborators are doing so much more than building better work. We are tirelessly constructing a better future for all, fostering an environment where individuals can reach their full potential and proving that this approach is possible for any community seeking hope and opportunity.
Learn More About Partnering with BETTER WORK
If you are connected to a business or nonprofit organization interested in collaborating with our local BETTER WORK chapters, go here to learn more and contact us:
A new community initiative is set to launch in Columbus, but it’s not run by any one person or organization. It’s running name is the “Columbus Empowerment Initiative.”
The program is based on – but not affiliated with – a similar group in Nebraska, the Omaha Empowerment Initiative. The Nebraska-based group, also known as Omaha 360, is “focused on Collaboration, Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement Support, Reentry and Community Engagement,” according to its webpage.
Roughly 60 individuals showed up, including Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson, local philanthropists, businesspersons and other community leaders. Representatives of the Georgia Center Opportunity and Better Work Columbus were also in attendance.
“Violence, homicide in particular, is the worst thing that a human being can do to another person,” said Josh Crawford, director of criminal justice initiatives at the Georgia Center for Opportunity.
He continued, “By restoring public safety in a community with a high rate of violence, you’re really taking the first step towards making a more prosperous and flourishing community.”
Reducing crime and restoring community safety is vital to addressing poverty and increasing opportunity.
While major metro areas are typically the focus of crime reduction efforts, there is a need to address crime in smaller communities seeing an uptick in crime.
Columbus, GA has seen an increase in violent crime over the last 5 years.
The Columbus community and municipalities must come together to address crime and work on preventative solutions.
We know that crime in major metro areas across the United States is up. Here in Georgia, Atlanta is front and center on that issue, highlighted by a recent report by the Georgia Center for Opportunity showing a concerning rise in violent and property crime over the last few years.
While the crime problem in larger cities is crucial to address, smaller cities tend to get overlooked. Yet these cities represent a large portion of the country’s population. There are 335 cities with population levels between 100,000 and one million, but only 14 cities with populations over one million.
Columbus saw one of its most violent years with 59 murders in 2021.
The city’s population is on the decline, correlated to the rise in violent crime.
A decrease in Columbus police has gone hand-in-hand with the crime spike.
Attempted murder convicts in Columbus who were released in 2022 only served 35% of their time.
“The human cost of this violence is dramatic, cutting lives short and leaving behind grieving families and fractured communities,” Crawford said. “The toll of violent crime goes beyond the physical cost to those directly impacted and includes financial costs to victims and taxpayers, the loss of productive years, and decreased economic mobility and growth in communities afflicted with high rates of crime.”
Access the Report:
Reducing Crime in Columbus
Our Columbus Crime Report details six practical solutions that city leaders can use to reduce crime in Columbus and restore safety, hope, and opportunity to the broader community.
Our focus at GCO is on empowering underserved, disadvantaged, and low-income communities. By starting with Columbus, we want to equip more of these overlooked cities across Georgia and the U.S. with policy reforms that will reduce crime and restore community safety.
Six Policy Recommendations to Reduce Crime
Because Columbus is smaller, it’s easier to implement changes that would make a big difference. Success in Columbus could provide a model to inspire change in similar-sized cities.
Fixing the Columbus crime problem is about focusing on the most violent offenders. By addressing gang-related violence and solving more homicide investigations, Columbus can restore community safety, improve trust with city officials and law enforcement, and expand upward mobility and opportunity for residents.
Crawford suggests:
Addressing disrepair in Columbus’ communities by expanding cleanup efforts, tearing down or renovating abandoned buildings, and installing adequate street lighting.
Building trust between community residents and law enforcement and social services, particularly through protecting the rights of victims.
Removing egregious offenders from communities by implementing gang-enhancement provisions such as SB44 (2023) that keep these individuals incarcerated.
Improving and requiring pre-entry cognitive behavioral therapy services for all juvenile offenders, no matter how non-violent their offenses.
Reevaluating reentry programs through an external third party, examining the impact on revocation, rearrest, and reconviction.
Key Points
Community Collaboration for Empowerment: The Collaborative Community Connection (C3) organized a successful job fair in South Columbus through a partnership involving various entities, including the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley, Goodwill Southern Rivers, YMCA of Metro Columbus GA, BETTER WORK Columbus team, and more.
Diverse Employment Opportunities: The job fair showcased a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, and retail, providing immediate employment opportunities.
Impact and Hope for Neglected Community: Better Work Columbus played a significant role in assisting job seekers and facilitating connections with potential employers. Beyond the event’s surface, the job fair highlighted the significance of community support for an often-neglected area.
In a display of community solidarity, the Collaborative Community Connection (C3) recently hosted a transformative job fair at the Frank Chester Recreation Center. This dynamic partnership, comprising entities such as the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of the Chattahoochee Valley, Goodwill Southern Rivers, YMCA of Metro Columbus GA, our BETTER WORK Columbus team and more, united to channel resources where they’re needed most in South Columbus. The event’s spotlight shone on a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, and retail, all of which offered immediate employment opportunities. With local employers like Pratt and Whitney, Aflac, and Kia in attendance, the job fair collectively sought to fill over 2,000 positions.
One organization that played a pivotal role in the success of the event was Better Work Columbus. Their on-site assistance and support proved invaluable in helping job seekers navigate the job fair and connect with potential employers.The job fair’s impact reverberated beyond the surface, as it underscored the importance of community support in an area that has often faced neglect. By uniting organizations with a shared goal of upliftment, C3 demonstrated their unwavering belief in the untapped potential and inherent value of South Columbus residents.
Beyond the event’s surface, the job fair highlighted the significance of community support for an often-neglected area. It emphasized the belief in the potential of South Columbus residents and demonstrated that collaborative efforts can lead to transformative change and a brighter future for the community.
Beyond the event’s surface, the job fair highlighted the significance of community support for an often-neglected area. It emphasized the belief in the potential of South Columbus residents and demonstrated that collaborative efforts can lead to transformative change and a brighter future for the community.
The C3 job fair not only provided a platform for individuals to secure gainful employment but also symbolized a beacon of hope for an often-overlooked community. It signified that collaborative efforts, like those of C3, can bridge gaps, open doors, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. As this successful event has shown, when a community comes together with dedication and purpose, it can spark transformative change and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.
Key Points
We recently sat down with Amber Gorman, program specialist for BETTER WORK Columbus, to discuss a new GCO-led class being offered in the area called Small Changes = Big Results. In this interview, Amber shares what makes the class unique and how it’s helping workers and employers in the Columbus region.
Q: What is the Small Changes = Big Results class? Who does it serve and what does it cover? Amber: The new training that’s being offered through GCO’s Better Work Columbus program is a four-part series to help those in our community understand the “why” behind essential skills. The training was offered at SafeHouse Ministries in Columbus, Georgia, and many of their clients were in attendance. Now, SafeHouse serves the homeless population to help them obtain shelter, permanent housing, and employment.
Q: So what inspired the class? How did it get started? Amber: There are many trainings and opportunities for job seekers in the community to gain knowledge of the topics that we introduced in class, but we noticed a disconnect as many were not seeing the value in these trainings or incorporating them into their job search and interviewing process. They were being taught how to do these things, but not necessarily why they were important. The focus of our training was to help explain why it matters. We wanted to complement and not duplicate the services already being offered, so at the end of each session participants were provided with resources where they could obtain more training and information about what we talked about during that class. Q: What are some topics covered in the class? Amber: Our Better Work Columbus program director Kristin Barker, and the lead recruiter from Columbus Water Works Inez Godbee, facilitated the first session. They helped to inform and educate the participants on why what you share in an interview matters, and then tips for best practices during interviewing. They also covered how to utilize job descriptions and job postings to make your resume stand out. In the second session, we talked about why good communication and time management are essential before, during, and after employment, and how they directly relate to respect. The third session, one of our guest facilitators helped us understand why healthy relationships matter and how to build and maintain those relationships. They also introduced social capital — what it is and how it can be used to overcome roadblocks to employment. For our fourth session, we had The Family Center in Columbus and Renasant Bank come in, and they brought valuable information to help the participants understand why budgeting matters and tips to get started on creating a budget and savings plan. They also touched on credit — what it is and how credit is sometimes used by employers and rental companies.
Work means more than just a paycheck. That is why we are focused on opening up the opportunities to work and thrive in every community.
Work means more than just a paycheck. That is why we are focused on opening up the opportunities to work and thrive in every community.
Q: What’s some of the best advice to come out of the sessions? Amber: There are so many golden nuggets that happened, but here are some of the best pieces of advice I heard. First, presenting a positive self-image will encourage an employer to consider you for hire regardless of your background or past mistakes. Second, being on time matters. It communicates to others whether they can trust and rely on you. Third, your value comes from God, and believing that will impact how you see yourself and how others see you as well. And then the fourth and final one is to avoid setting goals that someone else tells you to set, or goals that you feel obligated to set. Set goals that are realistic and personal to you.
Each one of these has a correlation to how someone views themselves. If you have a negative view of yourself, others will see that too, but if you change the story in your mind — from failure to gratitude or even success — this can help us to portray a positive self-image. As a result, others will pick up on our energy and start to see us in that light also, and this can create many opportunities and open doors that we thought should or would be closed to us. Q: That’s great! So were there any stories from the inaugural training that stood out in particular? Amber: Yes! We had a participant who had limited skills in reading and writing, and this has been a roadblock for him for many years, but he now knows that there are people who care and are willing to invest their time to see him succeed. I assisted him throughout each session and we built a relationship, and he started to trust me and to share more of his story with everyone. Then, through collaboration with the SafeHouse, he is now being connected with a personal tutor who’s going to work with him on his reading and writing skills so that he can obtain a better paying position. Q: Any overall advice for employers or community partners who are looking to connect with people looking for work? Amber: I thought about this one for a while, and my advice would be to try to understand the different social norms of groups, and use that knowledge to help educate others on the expectations for the workplace. Every failed interview can be an opportunity to provide constructive feedback to help that person succeed in their next interview. Q: What’s in store for the rest of the year? Amber: We’ve got to do an “after action” review, but I would say that this is going to be something that is going to continue and to grow in Columbus.
