Posts Tagged ‘martha turner juvenile justice fund GA’

Delivering Happiness

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Smiles everywhere for this adoptive family at the Fulton County Courthouse ©c. releford

Part two of our coverage of the National Adoption Day event finds reflections from judges, more images, and stories of hope, patience and love.

Father and daughter

Wandering through the event, I was struck by the energy of joy and anticipation in the kids and their parents.

You could almost feel them exhale because the day had finally arrived, but also notice their jitters in wanting to finally hold their certificate of adoption.

As Judge Phillip Jackson pointed out, the process of adoption can take anywhere from ” a couple of months to well over a year.”

The Juvenile Justice Fund works year round through the Family Visitation Program to make sure that children find a safe and loving home environment, whether that be with a child’s birth family or with an adoptive family.

Rep. John Lewis & Judge Jackson

It’s all about finding the place that’s right for the child.

Adoption is a big step for our court families and for their children, which is why the practice of making the final legal action of adoption a real celebration and milestone began 10 years ago with then Chief Judge Sanford “Sammy” Jones.

I found a mother and her son seated under a portrait of the late “Sammy” Jones.

Magic in his adoption day

She was wearing a big smile on her face, studying his portrait, and then she told me the story of her adoption which had taken several years.

She persevered, and today was finally the legal mother of “Magic,”  a four year old boy in a wheelchair.

She said she’d been working on it since he was three months old, and because Magic had special needs, many had discouraged her from trying to adopt him.

A new family © c releford

Judge Jones, she explained, was different, and encouraged her.  He cleared the way for her adoption to go ahead, making special arrangements for her and for Magic. Today her joy was palpable.

Thanks to over 100 volunteers ranging from court personnel, Juvenile Justice Fund members, Boy Scouts and Lions Club, National Adoption Day at the Fulton County Juvenile Court becomes a real standout day for families.

Boy Scouts carry gift basket

The festivities included a full hot meal, a personal message from U.S. Rep. John Lewis, himself an adoptive father, a cake party, customized gift baskets, special activities for the kids, and of course, the official adoption ceremony for each individual family in judges’ chambers.

Judge Phillip Jackson spoke with me about Adoption Day at the Courthouse.

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Martha Turner is the Communications Manager for the
Juvenile Justice Fund
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FBI Heralds Kaffie McCullough–AFNAP

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

JJF’s Kaffie McCullough received yet another award on behalf of AFNAP for her nearly twelve years of work to help children being prostituted, and to put a stop to the demand for prostituted children.

While the campaign she directs, A Future. Not A Past. (AFNAP) works with the GBI here in Atlanta training law enforcement to recognize and respond to victims of child sex-trade, now the FBI recognizes her work on a national level as awareness of the issue explodes across the country.

Read the full article below:

Published On: Wed, Dec 7th, 2011
news.gnom.es national newswire service

2011 Atlanta Division’s Director’s Community Leadership Award

Kaffie McCullough training law enforcement in Georgia

ATLANTA—Today, Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, presented the Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2011 to Kaffie McCullough, campaign director of A Future. Not a Past. (AFNAP), which—through the nonprofit Juvenile Justice Fund (JJF)—assists various law enforcement agencies and courts in addressing the needs of juvenile victims being exploited within the commercial sex industry. On March 16, 2012, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller will host all of the FBI’s 56 selectees from around the country at a national ceremony to be held at FBI Headquarters with Ms. McCullough present as Atlanta FBI’s honoree.

A Future. Not A Past.

Since 2007, the JJF’s statewide campaign, AFNAP, has worked to stop the prostitution of children in Georgia through groundbreaking research that drives strategies of prevention, intervention and education.

The mission of AFNAP is to protect and inspire hope in our children—the true victims of commercial sexual exploitation—as well as to disable demand and prosecute to the fullest extent the pimps and johns who exploit them.

AFNAP's 5K to Stop Demand

The AFNAP campaign has continued to address the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of minors through a four-tiered strategy of research, prevention, intervention, and education.

Along with other state entities, the campaign has pushed for tougher state laws to be implemented, and due to their combined efforts, Georgia House Bill 200 became law on July 1, 2011. With that, traffickers sexually exploiting victims under 18 face penalties including the possibility of life in prison and fines up to $100,000.

AFNAP Billboards are spread over Metro Atlanta

In June 2011, The Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia donated billboards throughout Metro Atlanta to AFNAP to present public service announcements focusing on penalties associated with child sexual exploitation and to encourage community involvement and education.

Since 2007, AFNAP has utilized all means of technology to reach the masses, maintaining social networking sites to provide education and volunteer opportunities. Additionally, AFNAP sponsors an annual 5K run to fight the sexual exploitation of children.

Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for the
Juvenile Justice Fund

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Forever Families-Part One

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Wearing his Sunday best

The Fulton County Juvenile Court marked it’s tenth anniversary of celebrating National Adoption Day with 19 children being adopted by 16 adoptive families, and every year the Juvenile Justice Fund takes pleasure in being a part of this great event by preparing customized gift baskets for each family.

Thanks to our many donors, and to Tonnisha LaSalle for once again spearheading that effort to present baskets brimming with gift cards, toys, games and puzzles.

It is one of the happiest days of the year in our courthouse as we enjoy the long awaited day with the families who get to finally say “we are family.”

L-R Marilyn Moss, Damon Horn, US Rep. John Lewis, Chief Judge Belinda Edwards, Amanda Davis, Judge Bradley Boyd ©curtis releford

Amanda Davis (Fox 5), who works tirelessly to find permanent homes for adoptive children through her project called Wednesday’s Child, was the perfect choice as Mistress of Ceremonies.

A time for smiling

Civil Rights hero and US Congressman John Lewis, himself an adoptive parent, said in his keynote address “We’re all brothers and sisters. We are all family…we are in the world house.

“Don’t give up, give in or give out, but keep the faith. Hang in there. A better day is coming.”

Chief Judge Belinda Edwards commended the efforts of DFCS, court attorneys, and the many court employees who each play a role in finding permanent homes for these children.

Adoptive Family with Judge Bradley Boyd ©curtis releford

Marilyn Moss coordinated the event and the many volunteers who made the celebration possible.

The families were treated to a hot breakfast, followed by activities for the children while the parents attended the keynote address.

Judge Jim Barfield and fellow musicians performed “Rise and Shine,” a song composed in honor of our families.

A new family on Adoption Day©curtis releford

Later the families met in judges’ chambers for the completion of their adoption, and to receive their gift baskets.

Many volunteers participated to provide entertainment and gifts for the families on this magical day.

Special ‘Characters’ came to entertain the children while they waited for their turn with a judge, and to wrap it all up, an ice cream party with all the trimmings.

Judge Bradley Boyd spoke with Martha Turner about the joys of seeing children come into the court for a positive purpose, noting “This is just one of the best days of the year as far as I’m concerned.”

 

Photo Gallery for National Adoption Day 2011

Thank You Curtis Releford of Keeneye Photographs, 404.272.1622, for sharing your photos with us.

Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for the
Juvenile Justice Fund

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Mentors For Girls–Carolyn Young Walk

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Karlise Grier, Carolyn Young, Voices Project Members, Jennifer Swain and Sharon Simpson Joseph at the Mentor Walk

This fall a very special 1.5 mile walk around the campus of Agnes Scott College was enjoyed by a host of students, mentors, parents and community members celebrating a future of education, prospects and hope for girls in Atlanta.

Ambassador Andrew Young signs his book "Walk in My Shoes" for Voices members

Our Voices Project members were there to partner with the college and were treated to a very special opportunity.

Thanks to JJF Board Member Karlise Grier, the girls met and visited with both Carolyn Young, founder of the Mentor Walk, and her husband Ambassador Andrew Young.

Not only did Ambassador Young sign his book for them, he even signed their race jerseys as a special memento for each girl, and agreed to come and speak to them at a future Voices meeting.

I spoke with Voices Project Director Jennifer Swain about this special day.

“I think the Voices Girls really appreciated meeting Ambassador Young and also his wife.  They initially didn’t know who he was or the magnitude of the work he had done alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  We used that as a teachable moment and our Board Member Karlise Greer who was attending the walk,  gave them background information regarding his work and legacy.

Voices Project members share a laugh at the Mentor Walk

“They were very humbled as they met with Ambassador Young, and he asked each one of them their names and shook each hand individually.

“One of our Voices Girls, Ashley – quietly whispered in my ear and asked “Do you think he would autograph my shirt?”  I said ‘ask not, have not’ and she spoke softly and said  ‘No, nevermind – he might yell at me…’

“Because at Voices our mantra is “Yesterday I Found my Voice, Today I’m here to shout about it” I reminded her of it and asked her to recite it.  She did and then turned to him and asked.  He was very happy to sign each girl’s shirt as his “people” asked if we would all pose for a picture!

“He also said he would be happy to speak with the girls at one of their meetings. They all eagerly shared their memories with the other girls that didn’t make it.  We look forward to an event later this year where he would be out featured speaker!”

JJF Board Member Karlise Grier and JJF ED Sharon Simpson Joseph

The Carolyn Young Mentor Walk was created to combine both mentoring and healthy living.

It is designed to have college students, who will serve as role models, walk with their younger peers, parents, guardians, current mentors, and the rest of the community on campus to inspire the children to finish school and attend college.

Thanks to JJF Board Member Karlise Grier for keeping us updated about this great opportunity!

 

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Asst. DA Fights Child Sex Trade

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Today DA Paul Howard will honor JJF’s Keisha Head for her work in anti-sex trade. Asst. DA David Cooke worked with Mr. Howard for many years prosecuting traffickers and spoke with us about the need for community help if we are serious about shutting down this industry. Day in and day out David hears the horror stories of victims sold against their will, but says the grassroots movement is what really drives the fight to stop this human slavery.

“Some people may feel fear or disgust, but most people, once they see what’s going on, want to make a difference and want to make things better.”

David also suggests ways to talk to children about the subject: “…they need to know that they have the right to decide what happens to their bodies.”

 

David Cooke, Senior Assistant DA
Houston County, GA

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Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for the
Juvenile Justice Fund

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Take Your Steps To Stop Child Sex Trade

Saturday, August 13th, 2011


 

5K Run to Stop Demand for prostituted children

Last fall at our First Annual 5K people from all walks of life, people of all ages— people came together to kick sexual exploitation of children to the curb.

Kaffie McCullough, founder of our program A Future. Not A Past. (AFNAP) remembers the impact of that day…

Kaffie McCullough, A Future. Not A Past. Campaign Director

“It really hit me as I watched the runners begin the race at the top of the hill there in Candler Park, that the community had come together with such vivid understanding about the plight of the victim.

“This is a touchy and controversial subject, and it’s one that we’ve sort of turned away from. That is, the subject of the “john” or the buyer of sex. I’m reminded of the Pogo comic strip, ‘We’ve met the enemy and they are us.’

“If we’re really going to stop this, we have to risk that this could be our husband, our brother, our son.

“We have to risk the embarrassment of facing this person as a person if we want to make this stop.”

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REGISTER TODAY
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 8:30AM

CANDLER PARK
Mary Lin Elementary
$20 Registration Fee before Sept. 26th
$25 Registration Fee on Oct. 1st
GET MORE INFO HERE
 

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3 Ways to Register:

* Get Pledges Online – Personalize Your Link & Get Started

* Register Online through Active.com – Register Now

* Mail-in Registration Form with Payment - Download Now

 

Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for
The Juvenile Justice Fund

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GBI Director Says Everyone Must Work Together

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

GBI Director Vernon Keenan at the Human Trafficking Summit

In an arena where secrecy and competition can preclude cooperation, Georgia’s GBI Director has proven that working together gets results.

Our 2nd installment of coverage for the first ever Human Trafficking Summit features Vernon Keenan, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“GBI has had a very aggressive program investigating child pornography. We worked with 160 local agencies in Georgia to form a task force, and for 2 years in a row that task force was no. 1 in the nation for arrests for child pornography.

Vernon Keenan speaks with JJF

“Because of our success in prosecuting child pornography, the US Dept. of Justice came to us and asked the GBI to apply for a grant to investigate human trafficking.

“This grant is providing us with resources, with an emphasis on child sex trafficking.

“Now, with the passing of HB 200, which has given law enforcement and prosecutors tools, the GBI has also gained jurisdiction to initiate education. Previously, we had to be requested by local law enforcement agencies to work those cases. Now we can initiate them on our own.”

Ga. Gov. Deal and Vernon Keenan at the summit

At the summit, Director Keenan told me that Governor Deal has “made human trafficking one of his priorities.”

When asked if he felt confident about combating child sex trade, Mr. Keenan said,

“I feel we are accomplishing the first step, which is to educate the public, law enforcement and prosecutors about the issue and form coalitions… Everyone has to work together to effectively combat the problem.”

Good news from our GBI Director, and we appreciate his enlightened view on cooperation and working together.

Watch our 3 minute video with GBI Director Vernon Keenan.

 

Martha Turner is the Communications Officer for
the Juvenile Justice Fund

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