Growing Justice

Celebrating 20 years of Georgia Appleseed 2005-2025

2005

Georgia Appleseed launches under the guidance of Founding Board Chair, Steve Clay and Executive Director Sharon Hill. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton donates in-kind space for the offices.

2006

Becomes a key partner in JUSTGeorgia, a coalition dedicated to rewriting and reforming Georgia’s outdated juvenile code, highlighting the organization’s commitment to youth advocacy.

2007

Publishes its first solo report, Justice for People with Mental Illness in Georgia, spotlighting systemic gaps in care, influencing reforms and laying the groundwork for future research-driven advocacy.

2008

Young Professionals Council (YPC) is established, with Jason Carter serving as its first president. YPC aims to engage young professionals in the organization’s mission and activities.

2009

Hosts inaugural Good Apple Award Dinner, an event that has since become a key fundraiser and celebration of justice champions.

2010

YPC creates the Heirs Property in Georgia Attorney Training Manual for non-real estate attorneys and beginstraining.

2011

The Effective Student Discipline report sparks interest in alternatives to suspension, laying the groundwork for statewide adoption of evidence-based positive school climate practices.

2012
2012: Eric Holder, First Good Apple

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder keynotes the Good Apple Awards Dinner, a moment that elevated Georgia Appleseed’s profile.

2012

Responds to Hurricane Katrina families denied FEMA aid due to lack of clear legal title in their homes and propose legal reforms.

2012
UPHP Bill Signed by Governor Nathan Deal

Uniform Partition Heirs Property Act passes due to our advocacy work, increasing protections for landowners in poor – particularly Black – communities.

2013
Juvenile Code Rewrite passes after years of advocacy.

Juvenile Code Rewrite passes after years of advocacy. It was the first comprehensive rewrite of Georgia’s Juvenile Code in 40 years, passed unanimously, and becomes a major milestone in juvenile justice reform.

2013

Launches the Keeping Kids in Class Toolkit, providing valuable data and resources to reduce out-of-school suspensions.

2013

Publishes “Unlocking Heirs Property Ownership: Assessing the Impact on Low and Mid-Income Georgians and Their Communities” and propose creation of an independent law firm to help families clear title to family property.

2014

Launches the Georgia Education Climate Coalition to lead a transformation of school discipline policies. Suspension rates decline steadily.

2014

Launches the Tribunal Volunteer Lawyers Network to provide legal support to students in school discipline cases.

2015
2015: Launches the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center

Launches the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center after years of work on heirs property issues to support low- and moderate-income property owners.

2015

Rebuilds police-community trust statewide in response to the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and a request by a Georgia mayor for our help to prevent similar police-citizen encounters. A wide-reaching, data-driven effort ensues, inviting more than 500 Georgians to share experiences and ideas.

2017

Publishes Seeking the Beloved Community: Fostering Crucial Conversations about Race, Law Enforcement, and the Law, a product of more than 180 pro bono attorneys and other volunteers conducting 140 in-depth stakeholder interviews; and our facilitating statewide community forums to share findings and collect local input, in partnership with the State Bar and other community partners.

2018

Launches Healthy Housing Project, addressing substandard rental housing and its impact on public health.

2018

Hosts inaugural Justice Conversations Event featuring Supreme Court Justices David Nahmias (Georgia) and Charles Wells (Florida-retired).

2018

Launches school-based behavioral health (SBBH) initiative to study best practices to integrate behavioral and mental health services in schools in partnership with The Carter Center and Voices for Georgia’s Children.

2018

Launches the FAIR Project to reach foster-involved youth across Georgia, training thousands of caseworkers, foster parents, and other advocates.

2018

Launches the Healthy Housing Project and Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition, Georgia’s only statewide coalition dedicated to improving safety and stability in low-income rental homes.

2019

Creates the Homelessness Intervention Project in Clayton County, a social innovation lab addressing homelessness and unhealthy housing conditions for low-income families. which partners with the Magistrate Court and community leaders.

2019

Drafts and helps to pass the Anti-Retaliation Bill prohibiting landlord retaliation against tenants who report health and safety violations.

2020

Drafts and supports the passage of the Trauma Impact Rule to address trauma’s impact on student discipline and educational access and performance, both academic and behavioral.

2020

Publishes one-of-a-kind Medicaid Appeals Manual in response to widespread and unjustified denials of children’s health care coverage by certain insurers. The guide, Getting Kids the Care They Need: PeachCare and Medicaid Appeals Manual for Attorneys, helps lawyers force insurers to provide medically necessary care.

2022

Executive Director Michael Waller testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs about the impact of institutional landlords and unhealthy housing conditions on Georgia families.

2022

Advocates successfully for the Mental Health Parity Act to improve access to mental health treatment.

2023

SBBH Collaborative develops schoolbasedbehavioralhealth.org as a hub for training and resources school-based behavioral health initiatives.

2024

Wins $1 million in unrestricted funding from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving, our largest grant to date,. Less than 6% of the 6,300+ applicants were awarded.

2024

Proposes and helps pass important reforms, among them, SB 82 (school accountability), HB 268 (mental health and school climate), and SB 169 which ensures timely school hearings and instructional materials for students awaiting school disciplinary proceedings.

2024

Successfully advocates for the Safe at Home Act (HB 404), which introduces Georgia’s first statewide habitability and safety standards rental homes.

2024

Expands FAIR statewide from serving just students in foster care to also work with students on free/reduced lunch, adding advocacy training, coaching, and legal services for special education services and supports for students.

Working closely with legislators, develops and passes a comprehensive school safety bill which includes expanded mental health services in schools, strengthened positive behavioral interventions, and multi-disciplinary behavioral threat assessments.

2025

Celebrating 20 Years! Georgia Appleseed marks two decades of advocacy for Georgia’s children and families.