ATLANTA, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today
announced an investment of $500,000
by the Georgia Power Foundation, to the Georgia Justice Project (GJP). The funding
will help remove barriers to employment and housing and open other
opportunities for those with past records who are working to be
productive citizens.
"We are proud to support this initiative that will help citizens
working hard to be self-sufficient," said Mike Anderson, senior vice president of Georgia
Power and president and CEO of the Georgia Power Foundation. "Our
commitment to this important work and GJP's efforts, are critical
because this is one way that we can make a real impact to help both
individuals and our state. As part of our $75 million commitment over the next five-years,
it aligns with our goals to assist with education equity, criminal
justice and economic empowerment."
The efforts support expanding direct service programs, including
implementation of Georgia's new
"expungement law," SB 288, that passed both the Georgia House and
Senate unanimously. This new law expands access to criminal record
restriction and sealing to help clear obstacles to success for
approximately 1.5 million Georgians who now have access to record
restriction for the first time. Georgia Power's grant will support
GJP's efforts to implement a multipronged campaign that includes
direct service, education and outreach, and policy expansion to
increase the effectiveness of the new law.
"This grant will help Georgia
Justice Project ensure effective implementation of Georgia's newly expanded criminal records law
by bringing services directly to communities," said Brenda Smeeton, Legal Director of Georgia Justice Project. "As of January this
year, many rehabilitated Georgians are now eligible to seal a
conviction history to remove barriers to employment, housing and
other opportunities, but a new law is only effective if the people
who need it most can access it, and this grant will allow us to
host expungement desks and events around the state. Our sincere
gratitude to Georgia Power for supporting this effort."
For 35 years, GJP has served Georgians who have been impacted by
the criminal legal system. The organization's range of legal
services includes holistic criminal defense paired with social
services, as well as representation for criminal records issues,
all provided free of charge. GJP works statewide to educate
individuals and service providers on criminal records, issues, and
has helped to pass 21 Georgia laws through advocacy efforts.
About the Georgia Power Foundation
The Georgia Power Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization,
is the fifth-largest corporate giving foundation in Georgia. The
Foundation provides grants to organizations that are enriching
communities across the state and is part of Georgia Power's
philanthropic focus to empower Education, Environmental Stewardship
and Communities.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern
Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value,
Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones
of the company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four
of Georgia's 159 counties.
Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy
at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a
diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and
natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and
wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to
its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power
as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more
information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with
the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower),
Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram
(Instagram.com/ga_power).
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SOURCE Georgia Power