It just takes dedication and a willing spirit. When Gwinnett SToPP came up with the idea for a Parent Leadership Institute we didn’t know what kind of response it would receive. How many people would be willing to undergo months of education and training, just to start then reaching out to their neighbors? But if there is one thing we have learned, it is that Gwinnett is a community and it cares deeply about the treatment of its children and their opportunities for success.

If you think parent leadership doesn’t affect you, it might interest you to know that according to justiceatlas.org, each incarcerated person in Gwinnett County costs about $100,000 tax dollars each year to maintain. Wouldn’t you rather pay for more successful children, than the care and feeding of criminals? We know that a successful education is a predictor of individual trajectories. Children who do not graduate from high school are three to four times more likely to be incarcerated than those who do graduate.

“People really don’t realize the power they can have – especially if there is a small group – that they really can make a difference. I think that’s important for people to know, to feel empowered that they can make changes not just for their children, but other children too.” – PLI Graduate

We are humbled by the number of people who heeded the call for training and service and we are inspired by their creativity and problem-solving skill. Last year, we had remarkable success with Gwinnett Boys and Girls Club. They have a parent board that acts as a sort of quasi‐PTA. The leadership team on the parent board decided that they all should enroll in the Parent Leadership Institute. Each PLI graduating class comes up with their own project to take to the community. With the new tools this parent board has acquired, they decided to offer restorative practices training for the parents at the club. The response has been so positive that the director of the club opened their doors to us for all Gwinnett SToPP workshops running throughout the year can be held there. The director hopes to have her club serve as the pilot to open the door at other Boys and Girls Clubs for parent training by Gwinnett SToPP. The Institute will serve as a training ground for future parent board members as well.

But that is just the beginning. We have come a long way but we have a long way to go and we need volunteers. If you really want to make a difference in Gwinnett County, this is your opportunity to serve. We are about to start our next 8 month Parent Leadership Institute training class. If you visit our YouTube channel, you will see the kind of bond you form with your classmates when you have a shared purpose as important as our children. Being part of an experience like this is electric – you can’t help but be energized by new ideas and creative solutions. Be a part of something special.

We are also looking for someone to serve a paid part-time position as our PLI coordinator. If your passion is more geared toward getting the word out and making things run smoothly, contact us right away.