North Gwinnett News

The Gwinnett InterVention Education (GIVE) Centers, comprising GIVE Center East and GIVE Center West, offer alternative education programs tailored to meet the educational and behavioral needs of students. These centers aim to ensure academic progress within a supportive environment.

Cluster Superintendent Dr. Reuben Gresham commended the centers, stating, “GIVE Center East and GIVE Center West do a phenomenal job of serving those students who are in need of additional support to ensure that they’re going to be successful.” He expressed gratitude for the dedication of the teacher-leaders, principals, administrative staff, and support staff at GIVE, emphasizing their life-saving impact on students.

The GIVE Centers focus on student success by addressing individual needs through diverse scheduling strategies. These include block courses, self-paced course acceleration, course recovery support, credit recovery support, and academic support courses.

Leshon Dempsey, a school social worker at GIVE Center East, highlighted the nonjudgmental environment provided by the centers: “The GIVE Center provides a nonjudgemental, educational setting for students who have made a mistake, which we all do.” She looks forward to being part of bridging students' pasts with their future successes.

Both centers employ counselors and social workers as part of their staff and offer access to wrap-around support services. Christian, a student at GIVE Center West, appreciates his involvement at the school: “It’s important because you have a second chance. When you feel like you mess up, this is a place to let you get yourself back up and boost your confidence.”

Dr. Alexandra Thomas from GIVE Center West emphasized their commitment: “We go out of our way to make sure that our most vulnerable students and the most vulnerable populations have the resources they need to be successful and the resources they need to meet their academic and behavioral goals.”