GJP supports client families with Back-2-School Event

Nearly 500,000 children in Georgia live in utter poverty. A staggering number of children right here in Atlanta live with the real fear that because of it someone in their family will be arrested. These factors put children at tremendous risk for substance abuse, gang involvement, and all too often truancy. The downward spiral of poverty into criminal behavior is propelled unabated. Education is the winning ticket out of the cycle of poverty and crime for at-risk children. For more than twenty years, Georgia Justice Project (www.gjp.org) has led the fight to break the cycle of poverty, crime and violence for families at risk. We need your help.

Visit http://www.gjp.org/news/back2school08 for a list of sponsors and information on how you can contribute to the solution.

For students attending John Hope Elementary and their families, Georgia Justice Project is hosting Back-2-School 2008 on July 25th and 26th, in an effort to equip them for educational success. Back-2-School 2008 will host an old fashioned neighborhood cook-out with recreational games, an inspiring community building experience for students that they will never forget plus shoes and helpful educational resources. Students will receive free backpacks filled with school supplies plus brand new sneakers to help them kick-off the school year on the right foot, thanks to Soles 4 Souls! Educators, mentors and local personalities will be on hand to lend a hand to the children from Dr. King’s neighborhood and guide them toward a new direction. GJP is leading others to become good neighbors to “the beloved community that Dr. King dreamed about.”

Local individuals, churches and businesses have generously donated services and supplies. Georgia Tech engineering students designed and built an obstacle course for the students to represent the challenges they might face. We believe the children’s experience overcoming the obstacles and hurdles on the course will offer them a tangible reminder that they can get through what lies ahead with real hope. Back-2-School 2008 is a sustaining effort to grow strong, healthy, and successful children. Every contribution, no matter the size, can change the life of a deserving child—here’s how you can help!

Go to http://www.gjp.org/news/back2school08 to join individuals and businesses in our community who already support this effort to break the cycle of poverty and crime.
 

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