Atlanta – The State Board of Pardons and Paroles wrapped up the agency’s first annual Back-To-School Drive for school supplies today. Virginia Pryor, Deputy Director for Child Welfare for the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), received the donated school supplies collected by Parole Board employees leading up to the start of the school year.

“I applaud the Parole Board and its employees for taking on this worthwhile project to assist with the many needs that parents and their children have at the start of the school year. There is so much that is needed and our staff at the Division of Family and Children Services will ensure these supplies are distributed quickly so our students have every opportunity to get off on the right foot, as they continue to settle into this new school year,” said Pryor.


Pryor says her agency will partner with several local schools to ensure they are ready to receive the school supplies and distribute them to as many children as possible. 

“Providing our young people with the right start is just the beginning to creating a world where young people have the opportunity to dream big,” added Pryor.

Executive Director of the Parole Board, Christopher Barnett says the Parole Board has a staff of caring employees.

“Our first annual school drive was a great success and this is a project that we anticipate will grow each year. Our employees enjoyed having the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than themselves.  To help parents and children in our communities be prepared for school and have our kids enter school that first day with pride, excitement and fresh eyes, is an awesome feeling.  It was our goal to assist as many students as possible and staff truly stepped up to the plate.  We wanted to make a positive impact in our young students’ lives and I believe through our partnership with DFCS and the efforts of our staff, we have done just that,” Barnett stated.

“We are committed to partnering with agencies and the community to have a positive impact in our communities,” he added.

Parole staff collected book bags, pens, pencils, pencil boxes, rulers, markers, notebooks, paper, folders, and many other school supplies during the drive.

For more information about the Parole Board’s community projects, please contact the agency’s Community Outreach office, Anita Cloud, at 404-309-7204 or [email protected].

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