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 Communities in Schools Neighborhood Leader

One of Athens' awesome Communities-In-Schools Neighborhood Leaders gives talks about the utility of conflict work in his professional and personal life.

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

Decolonizing Language

The words we use to describe marginalized groups have far greater impact than we might realize. Make sure you are always acknowledging otheres' humanity when talking to or about them.

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

Pine Bluff School Introduces 'Restorative Room' to Help Calm Students, De-Escalate Fights

A school in Pine Bluff introduced the 'restorative room' as a way to help encourage kids to process their emotions and get through tough experiences.

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

GHC to offer courses for RED Restorative Justice Program

Georgia Highlands College has partnered with Rehabilitation Enables Dreams to offer college access to students in the RED Restorative Justice Program.

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