Game Changers is a Metro Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support successful reentry into society, the workforce, our communities, and families ultimately reducing recidivism. We believe in the power of people to change, building lives through programs shaped by the specific and individual needs of our clients, and changing minds through education and advocacy to help create a fair, humane, and truly rehabilitative correctional system.  Individuals with criminal justice histories can experience a myriad of negative social indicators that can follow them long after their debt to society has been repaid.  Our organization offers a gamut of resources including mentoring and counseling, GED and Adult Literacy education services, workforce development, mental health, and substance abuse counseling, family reunification support, and lifetime aftercare.  We are committed to providing culturally competent services to people with incarceration histories. We understand that the greatest challenge to reentry is not knowing where to begin, finding employment, family strain, and mental health issues.  Game Changers is present and prepared to partner with returning citizens on their journey to successful reentry. 

Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission.

Our mission is to promote successful reentry and reduce recidivism through educating, equipping, and empowering returning citizens with the necessary resources, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities.

Vision.

The vision of Game Changers is to be the most complete solution for Reentry and Reintegration for returning citizens; empowering our clients to experience individual healing, personal transformation, and family reunification.

What We Value.

We value:

  • the potential of every human being to change and evolve through education and new life experiences.
  • strong relationships through community collaborations and partnering with judicial and prison systems in providing comprehensive services to our clients.
  • prevention, intervention, and outreach to encourage successful outcomes for all our clients.
  • continuing education and support for our staff.
  • honesty from our clients, our community, our staff, and our partners.

Success Plan.

Our success plan includes:

  • Changing mindsets through mentoring, education, and advocacy to invoke cognitive thinking.
  • Providing clients with interpersonal support enabling them to positively engage in problem-solving, further increasing their confidence and self-worth.
  • Restoring lives through service programs tailored to meet the needs of our individual clients.

Our Guiding Principles

  1. Serve clients with the highest risk for recidivism through quality assessment tools, the use of indicator‐based
    metrics, clinical-based methods, and individual plans.
  2. Services and treatment should encompass a continuum of care from adjudication or conviction to the closure of correctional supervision or case management services.
  3. Programs and Services should be provided to individuals seamlessly from incarceration to community arrival through effective criminal justice management.
  4. Programs to include:
    • Employment (includes job development, placement, and support)
    • Education (includes GED/high school prep, job training, post-secondary, vocational training)
    • Health (includes physical health, mental health, substance abuse, trauma‐informed care)
    • Social Services (includes case management, benefits, legal services)
    • Housing (includes temporary, transitional, permanent)
    • Family Reunification/Stability
    • Community Engagement (includes restorative justice, peer‐to‐peer mentoring, volunteering)
    • Civic Engagement (includes voting)

2021 Strategic Plan

Objective:  Reduce Recidivism

Goal:  To advocate and support community safety by reducing recidivism (“re-arrest, re-conviction, or return to imprisonment/confinement for individuals with conviction histories.

Key Performance Measures:

  1. Recidivism Rate for Women with new convictions during a specified time period
  2. Recidivism Rate for Men with new convictions during a specified time period
  3. Recidivism Rate for 18 to 24 with new convictions during a specified time period
  4. Recidivism Rate for 25 to 50 with new convictions during a specified time period
  5. Recidivism Rate for 50+ with new convictions during a specified time period
  6. Recidivism Rate among varying age groups related to drug addiction
  7. Recidivism Rate among varying age groups related to homelessness
  8. Recidivism Rate among varying age groups related to joblessness
  9. Recidivism Rate among varying age groups related to mental health
  10. Reduction in recidivism rates in target populations during a specified time period
  11. Number of participants enrolled in all programs
  12. Number of participants enrolled in all services
  13. Number of participants considered high risk
  14. Number of participants considered low risk
  15. Number of participants with an active diagnosis of mental health
  16. Number of participants with an active substance abuse disorder
  17. Number of participants employed / unemployed
  18. Number of training classes conducted for employees, contractors, and volunteers
  19. Number of trained employees, contractors, and volunteers
  20. Number of staff hired to improve the delivery of programs and services

Strategies:  

    1. Evaluate clients for risk and needs
    2. Provide services based on individual client’s need
    3. Focus programming toward high-risk offenders
    4. Create transitional plans for clients
    5. Engage clients prior to release
    6. Create organized Pre-Release and Post-Release Plans

Information: GameChangers4Real.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamechangers4real/
Cornerstone:  Cobb County District Attorney’s Office Welcomes Game Changers Re-Entry and Mentorship Program