THE START OF SOMETHING BIG!

On Wednesday, October 15, more than 200 people from around Atlanta’s community joined in the 2008 GRASS ROOTS JUSTICE AWARDS celebration on the lawn of Oglethorpe University. The three unique awards, created by local iron sculptor Andrew Crawford, were bestowed upon a community advocate legendary for her contributions serving at-risk women and children, a university president for the innovative development of a student program, and a local man and his family who became a teenage boy’s hero.

Click Here to see 2008 Grass Roots Justice Awards  Photo Gallery

Mr. Atiba Mbiwan, Associate Director of the Zeist Foundation, summarized the night: “The Grass Roots Justice Awards epitomized all that’s great about Georgia Justice Project – engaging young people (from the Atlanta Youth Academy), recognizing servant leaders (Ms. Deborah Richardson, Dr. Larry Schall and Dr. Preston Fogle and Mrs. Jackie Fogle), convening lawyers and laymen, lifting up families and reminding everyone about the value of redemption.  Of course, the BBQ and jazz music on the most beautiful autumn evening was an affirmation that even Mother Nature sent her approval!”

Award recipient Deborah Richardson was introduced by longtime friend, Ms. Alicia Philipp, president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, who highlighted Deborah’s cutting-edge leadership serving at-risk women and children in Atlanta. Mr. Mbiwan, assisted by Kyle Woodruff, an 8th grader at Atlanta Youth Academy, introduced Dr. Larry Schall for his creative idea that guided the development of the Community and Civic Engagement program at Oglethorpe University. Deborah Poole, GJP senior attorney, honored Dr. Preston Fogle and his family for involvement with a 16-year-old client, who was on a path to self-destruction.  Dr. Fogle became this young man’s mentor and hero, and the Fogle family embraced him with open arms as one of their own. 

The crisp fall night offered the perfect setting for scrumptious Rolling Bones barbeque, jazz music sounds of Jaspects, and a performance by the Atlanta Youth Academy Choir. The event raised almost $40,000 to benefit Georgia Justice Project (GJP) in its efforts to break the cycle of poverty and crime with its innovative approach offering legal representation, social support services, and employment opportunities to Atlanta’s poor who and become entangled in the criminal justice system. 

GJP thanks its honorees and everyone who joined us for this lovely evening. Sponsors include The Home Depot, King & Spalding, Rival Entertainment, Verde Home and many others whose financial support helped create this memorable start to an annual event for GJP for many years to come. See a full list of the sponsors and hosts who helped make possible the 2008 GRASS ROOTS JUSTICE AWARDS.