Georgia Justice Project is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Doug Ammar, is the 2006 recipient of the Evelyn G. Ullman Innovative Leadership Award. This award is presented annually by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits to individuals who exemplify "outstanding leadership in addressing a community issue." Click here to read the full press release

GJP is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Coleman, Thomas Hyman, Jr. and Cedric Phillips to its Board of Directors. Ms. Coleman currently serves as a partner in The Green Banana Project, a message and marketing company. She has been invaluable with her development of GJP's direct marketing program. A partner at the law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, Mr. Hyman focuses his practice on the corporate and finance areas. As the leader of GJP's Lawyer to Lawyer campaign at his firm Mr. Hyman has shown his continuing commitment to GJP. Mr. Phillips has been named as the Client Representative to GJP's Board of Directors.

The Georgia Justice Project is honored to be selected as an Honoree by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in its 2006 Families Count: The National Honors Program. GJP is one of three organizations in the country to receive the Award this year. To learn more visit: 2006 National Honorees

Amy Zaremba brought a different perspective to the face of homelessness at the recent Equal Justice Works dinner in Atlanta. Having worked previously with people experiencing homelessness Ms. Zaremba was able to speak from experience the hardships people encounter. Her talk focused on the unethical treatment of those harassed by law enforcement for no other reason then the fact they are homeless.

__Ms. Zaremba's remarks for Equal Justice Works dinner__

If I were arrested on my way home tonight, it would cost about $68 a night to keep me in jail. Alternatively, if I were homeless in Atlanta, it would cost about $33 a night to provide me not only with safe, secure shelter, but also with comprehensive supportive services including mental health care, daily living skills, job training, and addictions counseling. Breaking it down even further, it would cost only approximately $11 a night to provide me with basic shelter in Atlanta, and this would also include case management and some meals. Yet, every night and day in Atlanta, homeless people are being arrested. Homeless people are being taken to jail. The homeless are spending time locked up receiving little or no support services. Not only is this costly; it is wrong

Thanks to a partnership with First Presbyterian Church and Hillside Presbyterian Church, inmates’ family members are taken to visit their loved one in prison. This is in addition to GJP staff members visiting clients in prison on a regular basis. Studies show that when incarcerated persons stay connected to family and community their chances for success upon release increase.

Clients joined Georgia Justice Project staff and their families on Saturday for their annual client Christmas party. Both former and current clients were invited along with their families to join on this tradition. Santa Claus even made an appearance and distributed gifts to all.
Staff and volunteers prepared and served a holiday dinner to the attendees and spent the day laughing and talking together. Special thanks to Kroger and our wonderful community of volunteers.

Since his retirement from King & Spalding in 2003, Fellow Lane Dennard has volunteered at the Georgia Justice Project (GJP), a non-profit group of lawyers, social workers and job staff that represents indigent clients accused of crime. In order to receive legal representation by GJP, clients must commit to counseling and other services provided to help them live crime-free and productive lives. As a result of this “restorative” approach to representation, the recidivism rate for GJP clients is 18.8%, as compared to the nationwide rate of almost 60%.
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Recently Doug was able to attend and present at the international conference ''Relationships in Law: Is There a Place for Fraternity?'' sponsored by the Focolare Movement. Law professionals from all over the globe convened at Castelgandalfo, the Pope's summer residence, to continue the Focolare Movement's ''Communion and Law'' project. Lawyers discussed how to bring a sense of fraternity to their countries' legal systems and discussions focused both on this ideal and its practical application.

Georgia Justice Project hosted A Bow Tie Affair to honor retiring Chief Justice Norman Fletcher. Individual hosts and corporate sponsor BellSouth contributed over $40,000 for GJP’s legal, social services, and employment programs.

GJP staff is pleased to announce the addition of Robin Coggswell, Bondurant Mixson & Elmore Fellow, as our new Project Attorney. Robin is GJP's first fellow from Bondurant Mixson & Elmore and will be an excellent addition to the legal staff. The firm has donated $100,000 to GJP fund the position for the next two years. Visit Bondurant Mixson & Elmore at: www.bmelaw.com