From our humble beginnings in the UGA Catholic Center to a sustainable nonprofit, 15 years later we have the privilege to continue living into our vision of a just and equitable community, where all can thrive and prosper, in Athens and beyond.

As many of you know, our Restorative Justice Diversion (RJD) Program creates a pathway with support and accountability for high level misdemeanor and felony cases from the Western Judicial Circuit juvenile justice system. Since its launch in February 2023, RJD has been primarily funded through your generous support!  Here’s an update on your investment in our work:

• 40 youth-focused RJD case referrals. Of the first 27 youth who successfully completed our program, only 1 has reoffended. This is a recidivism rate of LESS THAN 4% – WELL BELOW the state average of about 40% for the 3-year juvenile rate.

• Awarded the Athens Clarke County Community Development Block Grant for the last 2 years, allowing more cases and to hire our amazing Program Manager Mikhayla Smith.

• A professional, locally-produced video to increase GCC awareness. Thanks to you and The LightRoom Athens, our video is complete! You can view it at www.tinyurl.com/gccbetterway

Restorative justice-aligned approaches to legal systems, communities, schools and workplaces build more positive cultures with increased accountability, engagement, trust, psychological safety, and productivity in every context.

Last year, you helped us reach our goal of $40,000! This year, given uncertainty surrounding federal funding–from which nearly 60% of our funding comes–we have set our winter fundraising goal to $50,000. This year, your support will:

• Expand case management with specialized support to meet the diverse and substantial needs of our RJD clients and their families.

• Help us fund an Athens-area community engagement and awareness campaign related to Restorative Justice Diversion and school-based Restorative Practices;

• Support a full-time (now part-time) Operations Manager position and meet rising insurance expenses--critical for our work with children.

On behalf of the GCC Team, we thank you in advance for the myriad ways you support GCC’s mission of building peace with justice.

P. S.  Will you consider the following?

• Share this fundraising appeal with 3-4 friends or family members to seek their support for GCC during this season of giving.

• Increase your support this winter or convert your support to a recurring monthly donation. It makes a huge difference!

Please donate by visiting us at https://georgiaconflictcenter-bloom.kindful.com/

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Or send a check to:

Georgia Conflict Center

P.O. Box 82024

Athens, GA 30608

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In deep gratitude,

Danny Malec, Executive Director                                                  

Shelagh Emmott, Board President

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