Big Love for Community!

May 22, 2024

What a lovely evening we had on May 16 at Terrapin in Athens to celebrate our community! Brittany Lopez was a fantastic emcee. Thank you, Brittany!

This year GCC chose Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens (DIA) as our Spotlight Community Partner who will receive 10% of all donations from the event.

In addition to the fantastic libations on offer at Terrapin and delicious food from Homy Made, we heard from the Peace Leaders at Clarke Middle school, along with Matt Fayoyin, restorative practitioner on faculty at CMS. Peace Leaders are students who learn restorative practices and have the capacity and willingness to co-facilitate circles amongst their peers. Last year the Peace Leaders held 14 circles that helped their peers work through conflict in nonviolent and accountable ways.

We were also wowed by the performances of Beto Cacao with his brother Noe and Vic Chestnut 2024 finalist Mannequin Party (Spencer Paul) throughout the evening.

Thanks to several Athens-area business owners and private donors, a silent auction included art classes (K A Artist), spa treatments (Urban Sanctuary), fitness sessions (Creed and TransFit), a basket of hemp-based products (Franny's Farmacy), a 50 inch TV, framed art by Greg Benson, and more. And our generous financial sponsors Joiner and Associates, Pawtropolis, Hope Animal Medical Center, and the District Attorney, Western Circuit.

Thanks to everyone, and a special shout out to Russel and Lindsey at Terrapin Beer who so very well represent the epitome of community!

For more photos, click here.

other blogs and recommended reading

What GCC Means to Us at The Cottage

Linnea Ionno, executive director at The Cottage, shares how accepting the inevitability of conflict and building skills help her organization navigate both internal and external conflicts.

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School-based Restorative Practices Implementation

COVID is making it harder for schools to practice restorative practices

This article, originally published in Fortune.com, explores a range of added challenges related to restorative practices implementation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read full article (LINK OPENS IN A NEW TAB) →

Cash From Criminal Wrong-Doing Will Now Help Coquitlam Kids

Two unique programs that support Tri-City students are getting nearly $60,000 combined, thanks to proceeds of criminal activity.

Read full article (LINK OPENS IN A NEW TAB) →

Update about GCC Winter 2023 Fundraising

GCC Winter 2023 Fundraising Campaign

GCC Fundraising Priorities for 2024

Read full article (LINK OPENS IN A NEW TAB) →

How to Build a Culture of Trust That Works

As a second post in a two-part series, Jodi Barnes goes into more details about how reframing two important Cs, communication and conflict, lay the foundation for a healthier, more productive work culture.

Read full article (LINK OPENS IN A NEW TAB) →

Jabari Cobb

Jabari Cobb, the Director of Behavior Supports & Discipline for Clarke County School District, shares the impact that GCC has made--school by school--and how his involvement with restorative practices has strengthened.

Read full article (LINK OPENS IN A NEW TAB) →