F.R.E.S.H Start Youth Initiative

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) F.R.E.S.H (Focusing Resources Effectively to Sustain Hope) Start Youth Initiative is designed to provide current and former DJJ youth supervised in the community with career opportunities. By partnering with local business owners, the program utilizes collaborative efforts and community resources to ensure youth access to gainful employment. The initiative is a program in the Department's Office of Re-entry Services that facilitates youth's connections to services and support as they plan to transition back into their communities.

The F.R.E.S.H Start Youth Initiative kicked off in the summer of 2020 with the Pinky Cole Foundation. Established by Pinky Cole, owner of the Slutty Vegan restaurants, the foundation committed to hiring up to 30 current or former supervised Department youth at her restaurants and food trucks in metro Atlanta. Cole also committed to providing the sum of $10,000 in scholarship annually for Department youth to use toward college or technical school. To date, the foundation has awarded program participants four scholarships and received 26 employment referrals. Seven youth under the Department's supervision are now also employed by partners.

Our Partners

Contact Cathy Smith-Curry

Director of Reentry Services

Primary:

(404) 491-6106

CathySmith-Curry@djj.state.ga.us