Press Release: Teen Social Justice Afterschool Club aims to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline

For Immediate Release 9-23-2019

The AADM Teen Social Justice after school club aims to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline

The Teen Social Justice (TSJ) After-School Club, operated by Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), is officially active in Clarke County School District (CCSD). This program is led by professional educators, business owners, social workers, and volunteers. The after-school program includes travel opportunities, college tours, spoken word, and performing arts, homework support, and lessons on civic engagement and self-empowerment.

The TSJ after-school club is part of AADM’s broader initiative that aims to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline in the Clarke County School District. The TSJ program is made up of three parts: an after school program, community service/apprenticeships opportunities and advocating at the school level for policy changes that reduce the number of students that are referred to the juvenile justice system through school.

The after-school program is open to all middle school and high school students within the Clarke County School District but is currently hosted on Tuesdays at Clarke Central High School in partnership with the Black Culture Club 3:30-5:30 pm, and on Wednesdays at Clarke Middle School from 3:30-5:30 pm. Please contact AADM if you’d like your school to host the program.

The End School to Prison Pipeline Community Service and Apprenticeship opportunities within the TSJ after-school program are open to at-risk students ages 16-19. The community service and apprenticeship opportunities are offered at numerous local businesses, giving students practical, hands-on work experience, and a chance to develop new skills, self-confidence, and independence. The travel opportunities within the program are offered to all students that participate in the after-school club and occur three to four times per year. The next travel opportunity is to The Wanderer Memory Trail at Jekyll Island, October 12-13.

The Teen Social Justice after-school club activities and travel are offered to students at little or no cost. If you’d like to volunteer with TSJ, make a donation to support the youth of Athens, or would like to register your child, please visit https://www.aadmovement.org/teen-social-justice-afterschool/.

For more info contact Mokah Jasmine Johnson at jasminejohnsonedu@gmail.com