Georgia Center for Opportunity

School's out. Is your child's school still the right fit?

Summer is a great time to reflect on your child's education and explore options for the year ahead. The right school fit can help students thrive in and out of the classroom.

Have you started planning for next school year?

A month later, we’re still smiling when we think about our recent BETTER WORK graduation. 🎓💙

What made that evening so special was seeing the confidence our graduates gained throughout the program.

Over the course of the class, participants strengthened their job search and interview skills, built resumes, practiced communication and networking, and developed a personalized path toward meaningful work. They also found encouragement, support, and a community that believes in their success. Our graduates reminded us exactly why this mission matters.

Congratulations again to every graduate, and thank you to the partners, volunteers, and supporters who help make these opportunities possible.
Interested in joining a future class? Fall BETTER WORK classes will be announced soon!

Georgia is helping lead the way in modernizing benefits for independent workers.

This year, Georgia adopted a portable benefits policy, creating new opportunities for freelancers, contractors, and gig workers to access support for health care, retirement savings, and other essential benefits without giving up the flexibility that makes independent work attractive.

The workforce is changing. More than one in three Americans now earn income through independent work, yet many still lack access to benefits traditionally tied to full-time employment.

As other states consider similar reforms, portable benefits are gaining momentum as a practical solution that supports workers while preserving choice and flexibility.

Learn more about how the portable benefits movement is spreading across the country: https://dcjournal.com/the-portable-benefits-revolution-is-spreading-state-by-state/

On Flag Day, we celebrate the promise represented by the American flag.

A strong nation is built on opportunity, where every child can learn, every worker can contribute, and every family has the chance to flourish.

We're committed to helping make that promise a reality for more Georgians every day. 🇺🇸

“Today, I am at peace. Five years ago, I was in chaos.”

For years, Latesha Jackson was focused on getting by. As a single mother of four, she worked hard to support her family and faced one challenge after another. Thinking about the future often took a back seat to making it through the day.

But through BETTER WORK, Latesha gained more than job skills. She developed a new perspective and began to see that her circumstances didn't have to define her future.

That mindset shift changed everything.

Stories like Latesha's remind us that lasting change is about more than finding a job. It's about building confidence, discovering new possibilities, and creating a better future for yourself and your family.

Read her full story:
https://foropportunity.org/stories/from-survival-to-stability-how-latesha-jackson-built-a-better-life/

Did you know Georgia students can receive free meals and snacks during the summer?

When school is out, the Summer Food Service Program helps ensure kids and teens 18 and under continue to have access to nutritious meals at no cost.

Find a meal site near you and learn more at the link below.

SUN Meals (Summer Food Service Program) | Food and Nutrition Service Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

📣 Join us for our next Pathways to BETTER WORK workshop:
Application Advantage: Standing Out in the Application Process

Standing out when applying for jobs can make a real difference, and this session will show you how to do it with purpose.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to:
1️⃣ Tailor your resume and cover letter to match employer needs
2️⃣ Use keywords effectively to improve visibility in applicant tracking systems (ATS)
3️⃣ Analyze job postings and identify key qualifications
If you’ve been applying and not hearing back, or unsure how to make your application stand out, this is for you.

You don’t have to navigate your job search alone.

💡 Coming up next in the series:
📅 July 16 – Interview to Impress: Confident Conversations with Employers
📅 August 19 – On the Job: Thriving Beyond the Offer

👉 Take a step that can move you forward: https://secure.rec1.com/GA/gwinnett-county-parks-recreation/catalog/index/00c1dcda85d9153af42af6d8b3b537bf?filter=c2VhcmNoPUFwcGxpY2F0aW9uJTIwQWR2YW50YWdlJTNBJTIwU3RhbmRpbmclMjBPdXQlMjBpbiUyMHRoZSUyMFN0YWNrJTIw

What was your first job in Georgia, and what did it teach you?

“Parenting can sometimes feel isolating, but this class reminded us that reaching out and being part of a community makes us stronger parents.”

For Kevin and Annie, Raising Highly Capable Kids became more than a parenting program. It became a source of connection and hope alongside other families navigating similar challenges and joys.

As they applied what they learned for their daughters, they also discovered the lasting impact of community. The simple act of sharing experiences and walking alongside other families helped them grow more confident as parents.

Programs like Raising Highly Capable Kids go beyond parenting tools. They remind families that they were never meant to raise their children alone. 💙