The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Group helps offenders rejoin community
In Georgia, the recorded rate of recidivism — the number of offenders re-convicted within three years of release — is 30 percent, but the actual recidivism rate is 50 percent, according to the Georgia Center for Opportunity.
A new nonprofit based in Marietta is working to do its part to reduce the recidivism and incarceration rates in Georgia, which has the nation’s fifth-highest prison population, with 53,000 peo- ple incarcerated.
Dr. Rhonda Travitt, founder of Restoring the Years Global Ministries in Marietta, founded Game Changers Re-entry and Mentorship Program in spring 2018.
“I started the organization after mentoring numerous people through a faith-based organization. I noticed peo- ple who were returning to society from serving time in prison with no direction or desire to become productive citizens,” she explains.
Focused on strengthening the fabric of local communi- ties, Game Changers stresses re-entry and mentorship by promoting successful reintegration of returning citizens, ultimately reducing recidi- vism in the state of Georgia.
“We understand that the re-entry process begins the day incarceration begins, but the reintegration process is much more in-depth and takes time and customization, said Travitt. “We believe in changing mindsets through mentoring, education and advocacy to invoke cognitive thinking as well as service programs tailored to meet the needs of our individual clients.”
Some of its service programs include mentoring and counseling, workforce development, adult literacy, GED classes and family reuni- fication. Game Changers also partnered with the Department of Community Super- vision and is looking to build and leverage the partnership to accomplish a great work.
The nonprofit offers counseling, including group and individual therapy, life and family coaching; mentoring with licensed and certified mentors who provide guid- ance, direction and resources; work readiness, résumé writing assistance and computer classes, among other ser- vices; parent-child relation- ship counseling and family counseling sessions, with a goal of reconnecting clients with loved ones.
Game Changers also helps with hearing, vision and den- tal screenings, blood pres- sure and glucose checks; a program to achieve personal goals relating to adult literacy, obtaining a general education degree, enrolling in college or trade school and more; and services tailored to an individ- ual’s path to recovery.
The organization has also partnered with the Department of Community Super- vision to serve as a Station of Hope and a resource for the department’s “I Choose Support” mentoring movement.
Additionally, volunteers play an essential role in sup- porting the work of Game Changers. Through their time and expertise, volunteers can help by providing tutoring, résumé preparation and other services. It also welcomes returning citizens interested in giving back to their com- munities.
Kenneth Cooper was helped by the organization and now is on a path to success.
“Dr. Travitt changed the game of re-entry for me by mentoring me prior to my release. I’m currently a student at Chattahoochee Techni- cal College, drug-free and win- ning at living life! I’m a product of what can happen with the support of Game Chang- ers,” he shared.