November 2021

In this month of Thanksgiving, one of the ways that we celebrate at Georgia Appleseed is to express our gratitude for our partners. Students, parents, grandparents and foster families, community leaders, teachers, counselors and other school leaders, attorneys and law firms, sister non-profits and government partners, and the philanthropists and our other financial supporters, thank you for advocating on behalf of Georgia’s children and sharing your passion, experience, and expertise with us this year.  

Substandard housing conditions greatly impact children by increasing illness, frequency of home and school moves, and behavior and learning challenges, all of which increase a child’s risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Our Healthy Housing Initiative brings Georgians together to advocate for better housing for families. Here are three ways you can join our community of advocates:

1. Learn about our Housing Policy Recommendations and Priorities, which offers pragmatic, actionable approaches to these persistent, complex issues. 
2. Connect your organization with the Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition, engaging members statewide to enhance and expand healthy housing. 
3. Read and share Georgia Appleseed’s Healthy Housing Advocacy Toolkit with a family or community member looking to improve the lives of children in neighborhoods, towns and counties across Georgia.

Morgan Bridgman, Policy Counsel (right), Morgan is a former associate on the Trial and Global Disputes team at King & Spalding, where she practiced federal complex commercial litigation and maintained a robust pro bono practice focused on issues of juvenile law. Morgan received a B.A. in Political Science from Furman University and her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, where she graduated with honors and was a member of the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic. 

Tanesse Brown, Program Manager and Angela B. Royal Fellow (left). Tanesse comes to Georgia Appleseed with nearly a decade of experience working with domestic violence victims and case management in Long Island, NY. Most recently, she spent three years working in Cobb County Juvenile Court supervising Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Tanesse received a B.S in Legal Studies from the University of New Haven and an M.S in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University. 

For more information on the Fellowship namesake and inspiration for representing foster children at student tribunals, please watch the Angela B. Royal video.

Justice Conversations - December 13

Our third annual Justice Conversations, focused on Georgia’s accountability courts, will feature U.S. District Court Judges Amy Totenberg and Steven Grimberg, and Dekalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Asha Jackson.

This is a hybrid in-person and online streaming event, with required pre-registration. In-person attendance is very limited due to COVID safety protocols, but we will do our best to accommodate requests. Register and RSVP for the event by December 3 and we will confirm attendance and logistics soon thereafter. Contact info@gaappleseed.org with any questions.

Annual Report for FY21

Soon Available

Georgia Appleseed wrapped up a positive fiscal year in June, marked by strong support from board members, individual and corporate donors and foundations, along with receipt of significant grants, particularly for our foster care program. 

Our annual report, highlighting program efforts and financial data, will soon be published and available on our website. To request a printed copy, please contact us at info@gaappleseed.org.

November 30 – GAgives

Donate on this year’s GAgives Day!

December 13 – Justice Conversations

Register now!

April, 2022 

We're planning our annual Good Apple event for 4/14 or 4/21. Details to come!

Here are a few pertinent and timely resources to share about justice initiatives around us:

Truancy Intervention Project (TIP)

Like Georgia Appleseed, TIP provides essential supports to keep children in school and out of the juvenile justice system. Their particular focus is on addressing truancy, with early intervention to identify and counsel chronically absent elementary school children before their absenteeism escalates to court intervention.  

November is American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month.

Check your historical knowledge against these 16 Facts about Native American heritage.

As COVID-19 continues to impact our lives and our communities, these resource lists gathered by trusted partners may help connect resources to need:

211

Calling 211 or searching the website can help you find food, pay housing bills, access childcare, and more. 

Atlanta Legal Aid Services

This resource list includes information on health, unemployment, emergency food help, and more. 

Georgia Department of Education

This DOE site includes updates on coronavirus and schools and a link to the Georgia Department of Community Health’s Daily COVID-19 status report. 

Voices for Georgia’s Children

News and resources around COVID-19, including financial resources, food assistance, closures, and guidance on talking to children about the pandemic. 

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

CHOA's resource page provides news, FAQs and resources, including relevant links to information from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health.

We focus on dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, behavioral health in schools, and advocating for healthy housing because we believe these areas are powerful levers for meaningful, systemic change.

Join us in creating systemic change by making a donation or becoming a pro bono partner.