PRESS RELEASE
Expungement Forum: “Is There a Real Second Chance in Georgia?”
WHAT: This year approximately 400,000 Georgians will be arrested for a criminal offense. A number of these cases will notresult in convictions. However, these Georgians will still face substantial barriers that restrict their access to employment,
housing, education and other basic benefits of citizenship.
The Georgia Justice Project, Georgia STAND-UP, Georgia Black United Fund, The Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta are co-sponsoring a forum on criminal records and the collateral consequences thereof.
“Is There a Real Second Chance in Georgia?” is a daylong event that will further the discussion on ways to address the needs of Georgians with arrest records and opportunities for assistance.
WHO: The day will include a panel of elected officials, faith leaders and experts including Atlanta City Mayor Kasim Reed, Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves and Georgia Representative Kathy Ashe. Following the panel, workshops will provide information about how to legally remove an arrest record in Georgia, a process known as “expungement” and alternatives when expungement is not an option. Finally, the event will provide an opportunity for interested community partners to join together to consider the effects of collateral consequences on Georgians and their families and to address these through service, education and policy.
WHERE:
Loudermilk Center for the Regional Community
40 Courtland Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
WHEN: Saturday, October 9, 2010; 10:00am – 2:00pm
The Forum is free and open to the public, but space is limited so participants are encouraged to pre-register by Wednesday, October 6, 2010. Lunch will be provided for pre-registered guests. For more information or to register, please contact Marissa McCall Dodson by phone at (404) 827-0027 ext. 259 or (678) 791-6540 or by email at marissa@gjp.org
If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please contact Frankie Lee by phone at (404) 604-0570 or by email at bridges2success@yahoo.com