Beyond charitable giving, The GEO Group strives to be a contributing member of the communities in which we operate. Every one of GEO’s facilities has a unique active role in giving back to their community and their employees. We take great pride in the opportunities we make available to members of those communities, but we also engage those communities directly as a partner and a citizen.
Our facilities hold quarterly Community Advisory Board meetings. Most community advisory boards are composed of community leaders, in addition to key facility staff. Mayors, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Superintendents of Schools, and local business leaders all attend these advisory board meetings to add their area of expertise to the discussion.
Community Advisory Board meetings are aimed at informing the public of current events at our facilities, discussing the needs of the communities, and being a means of support between the facilities and the community. An emphasis is also placed on increasing facility involvement in community affairs and services through volunteerism, fundraising, and awareness.
Furthermore, many GEO employees take on individual roles in their communities. Our employees hold positions on Chambers of Commerce, school boards, Rotary Clubs, and Veterans organizations. They are also making an impact in their local high school. For example, taking on positions as coaches for high school sports and band.
On Tuesday February 18th, 2020, Blackwater River Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility held its annual Black History Program. Officer Yul Tunstall and Recreation Specialist Dominique Muhammad organized the program this year. Mr. Tunstall is from the Pensacola area and assists with many outreach programs to help local youth. He strives to give children positive avenues for support and donates time to bring awareness to street violence. Through his resources, BRCRF was able to have Roy Levesta Jones Jr. as our guest speaker.
On an annual basis, The GEO Group Foundation supports the Ride 4 Orphans event hosted by Spanish River Church in Boca Raton. The mission of Ride 4 Orphans is to bring light and hope to orphans all over the world. Whether an individual is a cycling aficionado or just a casual rider, they have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of orphans and children in foster care around the world and right here in our local Boca Raton community.
It was that time of the year again to collect Treats for the Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops for the Central Region. The collection was for our Active duty service members deployed and Veterans in and out of hospitals. Karnes County Detention Facility staff were challenged to collect candy for our 3rd Annual Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops. The total collected for Treats for Troops was 17,306 pieces of candy, which represents to 350 lbs.
Members of New Jersey Alumni Services and GEO Reentry Services staff were on hand to help the community with a Back-to-School event in Union County on August 15th. Staff gathered for the local ‘Backpacking and Potluck’ dinner. Hosted by Parents Engaging Parents (PEP), alumni members and staff joined various other community organizations, educational administrators and volunteers from cities in Union County to pack backpacks with school supplies. Alumni members were proud to participate in the community event which will equip thousands of children in the community with the supplies needed for a good start to the school year.
The Berks Community Action Program (BCAP) teamed up with ADAPPT (Alcohol & Drug Addiction Parole & Probation Treatment) reentrants on August 11th to share in a day of community service at the College Manor Pool. The site was offered to ADAPPT as a thank you for all the much needed work reentrants did at the pool over the summer. Everyone enjoyed the special event and sharing with those in need. The reentrants fed 107 homeless individuals from three different shelters. ADAPPT reentrants assisted in setting up the tables and stands, cooking, cleaning and serving. The staff and reentrants at the facility have a close relationship with the City and commit to a large amount of community service for local organizations.
On February 23rd, 2019, Team GEO at the Aurora ICE Processing Center did it again for the fifth year in a row winning the trophy for the Highest Fundraising team. Team GEO raised $7,710 for the Special Olympics of Colorado, led by Facility Administrator Choate as they raced from the frozen shore into the freezing water for the organization’s annual Polar Plunge event.