Community

Changing Inmates’ Lives with Man’s Best Friend

Published

5 years ago

December 31, 2019

Donna WIlliam Lewis

Susan Jacobs-Meadows looks beyond the bars that confine men and the cages that hold cast-off dogs. Reaching for the good that she believes they all hold, she brings them together for mutual rehabilitation.

The Peachtree Corners resident is the founder and executive director of Canine CellMates, a nonprofit program that pairs Fulton County jail inmates with dogs caged up on potential death rows. Since its start six years ago, more than 350 men have completed the program and more than 140 dogs have been adopted.

For her program’s efforts, Jacobs-Meadows was recently named a Mercedes-Benz USA Greatness Lives Here hero. The award recognizes unsung heroes making a difference in Atlanta, where MBUSA is headquartered. It came with the gift of a promotional video filmed at the jail that shows inmates training, playing and just sharing some unconditional love with the dogs.

“I think dogs are a gift,” Jacobs-Meadows says in the video. “My belief tells me that God gave dogs something he didn’t give other animals. He gave them the ability to look inside a human being and find the good that exists in there, and then he gave them the ability to help that person see that in themselves.”

Through her program, fueled with the help of 45 active volunteers, thoroughly assessed dogs from Fulton County Animal Services are selected to live in the jail for 10 weeks. Six dogs cycle through pairs of inmates who work with Canine CellMates trainers to make them better candidates for adoption through socialization and obedience training.

The men also attend classes six days a week to focus on resume and interviewing skills, personal development, trauma support, resilience training and basic computer literacy. Speakers are brought in to motivate and inspire them, and Jacobs-Meadows advocates for them in court.

“What I knew would happen is I would fall in love with these dogs. What I didn’t know was I would fall in love with these men,” Jacobs-Meadows said. “We tell them, ‘While you’re here, you’re our family, and for as long as you want us, when you leave, you will still be our family.’”

Upon their release, Canine CellMates will help the men with everything from food, clothing and loaded MARTA cards to help finding drug rehab programs and transitional housing. The program also keeps up with the adopted dogs, some of whom can be seen on the “Happy Tails” page of the program’s website.

Jacobs-Meadows’ immediate goals include acquiring office space and creating a Canine CellMates how-to guide so the program can be replicated by others. Longer-term, she hopes to see Canine CellMates offer its own transitional housing.

The program is funded solely through donations and sponsorships, and visual images are key to telling its story, Jacobs-Meadows said. “I think one of our most important jobs in Canine CellMates is to humanize these men in the eyes of the public,” she said. “When you share their words and their faces, people almost have to start considering them as human beings.”

Learn more

Canine CellMates seeks donations, sponsorships and a wide variety of volunteers. For more info, and to see dogs available for adoption, visit canineCellMates.org. See the Greatness Lives Here video. ■

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Donna WIlliam Lewis

Donna Williams Lewis is a freelance journalist who covered metro Atlanta for decades as a writer and editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2025

Mayor Mike Mason

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.

City of Peachtree Corners

Public Notice: Scheduled Maintenance on Town Center Parking Deck

Published

1 week ago

March 25, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Maintenance and repairs will take place from March through July; the deck will remain open to the public throughout

Starting the week of March 24, the City of Peachtree Corners will begin scheduled maintenance and repairs on the Town Center Parking Deck. These improvements are expected to continue through July 2025 and are necessary to ensure the longevity of the structure.

During this period, the deck will remain open to the public, but the repair areas will be temporarily closed on a rolling basis. These closures will allow crews to efficiently complete the necessary work while minimizing disruption to tenants, customers and residents.

To assist with navigation, directional signage, barriers and other safety measures will be in place to guide drivers and pedestrians safely around work areas. For public safety, drivers must follow the directional signage and only park in the open sections of the deck.

The city appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as they work to maintain a safe and well-functioning parking facility.

For project updates, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

City of Peachtree Corners

Fun for a Good Cause at Curiosity Lab’s Inaugural 5K Run/Walk

Published

2 weeks ago

March 18, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

The Charity Run/Walk will be part of Curiosity Lab’s annual Criterium event

Expect a day of thrilling races and family-friendly fun at the inaugural Curiosity Lab Charity 5K Run/Walk followed by the Curiosity Lab Criterium on Sunday, April 27.

The day-long community event will kick off at 8 a.m., when registration opens for the 5K. The race will start at 9 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m., and the Criterium will begin at 11:15 a.m.

In addition to the running and cycling events, there will also be kid’s races, food & beverage vendors, a kids zone, a DJ spinning tunes and more fun throughout the day.

The Charity 5K Run/Walk

Presented by Werfen and Sidel, with additional support provided by Atlas Collaborative and the City of Peachtree Corners, the Charity 5K Run/Walk will benefit the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and 100% of the registration fees will be donated.

While no prizes will be given for the race, bib timing will be used for those who would like to see their times. And each registrant will receive a Curiosity Lab Charity 5K Run/Walk t-shirt for participating.

Registration for the 5K is open now.

Curiosity Lab Criterium

Following the 5K, hang around and experience the Curiosity Lab Criterium, part of U.S. Pro Cycling’s Speed Week.

Speed Week is a premiere week-long event on the U.S. Pro Cycling Circuit that draws cyclists from around the world, including Olympic medalists and world and national champions. In 2024, the professional men’s and women’s events drew cyclists from over 30 states and more than 20 countries.

A group of bikers at the starting line, competing in a bike race. — photo courtesy of City of Peachtree Corners

Join in the excitement and watch as some of the world’s top male and female Criterium Racers tackle the most challenging track on the circuit.

The details

The 2025 Curiosity Lab Criterium & 5K will take place on a course located within the world-famous Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners — a 5G-enabled, 500-acre living laboratory ecosystem designed specifically as a proving ground for IoT, mobility and smart city emerging technologies.

Location: Curiosity Lab at City Hall • 310 Technology Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners

Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 5K starts at 9 a.m and ends at 10:30 a.m. The Criterium begins at 11:15 a.m.

Parking for the event will be located at 400 and 420 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners.

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.