What GCC Means to Us at The Cottage

December 2, 2024

As an Executive Director of a nonprofit agency, the Georgia Conflict Center has been an invaluable resource for myself both professionally and personally. I previously described myself as someone who prefers to avoid conflict in any capacity but that rarely if ever is possible. The first thing I learned from Danny and Jo at GCC is that conflict is inevitable and the sooner we recognize that, the sooner we can learn ways to effectively navigate it.

In leading my team at The Cottage, Sexual Assault Center and Children’s Advocacy Center, GCC has helped to equip myself and our staff with the tools we needed to navigate any situation we encountered whether internally or externally. Danny and Jo have facilitated multiple trainings over the years for our staff as well as assisting with updating our agencies policies and procedures. They are always thoughtful and thorough in preparing their training curriculum and show up with such great care/support in their facilitation.

I have served as an Executive Director for 2.5 years now and have had many lessons throughout that time. Anytime I ran into a new challenge, I was able to turn to GCC for guidance, feedback, and advice. I am extremely grateful to Danny, Jo, and Mikhayla for all the ways they have supported me in my leadership development and growth. Our community is so lucky to have such an amazing team that is dedicated and genuine in their mission to build peace with justice in all capacities.

other blogs and recommended reading

The Unexpected Gift of GCC: The First in our Story Series

The best gifts are experiences. Especially those that fundamentally change you, help you evolve.

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Dream Big, Start Small

GCC Executive Director Danny Malec responds to the RP Implementation Pause in Gwinnett County.

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Restorative Justice

Elderly and Imprisoned: 'I Don't Count It as Living, Only Existing.'

A recent opinion piece from The New York Times discusses the peril of elderly incarcerated individuals. As the article states, the ACLU estimates that "by 2030, people over 55 will constitute a third of the country's prison population", even though elderly people are significantly less likely to reoffend.

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An Eighth Grade Class Just Exonerated The Last Witch Of The Salem Witch Trials

Massachusetts teacher Carrie LaPierre led her students through a restorative justice project over 300 years after the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

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New Study: Black, Special Ed Students Punished at Greater Rate Through Pandemic

Despite a dramatic decline in suspensions as students moved to remote learning during the pandemic, Black children and those in special education were disciplined far more often than white students and those in general education, according to a recent New York University study.

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RJ and Gender-based Violence

Restorative Approaches for Gender-based Violence

This blog explores restorative approaches to gender-based violence and the relationship between the restorative justice and transformative justice movements.

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