Big Miller Grove Baptist Church served as host to the Atlanta Transitional Center Choir in a Sunday service dedicated to the reformation of convicted felons and deterrence of youth from the criminal justice system.  The message was clear: CHOOSE FREEDOM.   The choir made use of song & spirit to encourage the youth of Big Miller Grove to choose freedom through God, rather than incarceration by way of the streets.

       The program, held over Labor Day weekend, featured guest speakers Chaplain Claimon Nix, DeKalb Juvenile Court Chief Judge Desiree Peagler, former attorney Renee Snead, disbarred following a mortgage fraud conviction, and David Koonce, chief  Probation Officer, Central DeKalb Probation.  Judge Peagler spoke of the number of youth of every race, sex and economic status that come before her in juvenile court. She told the youth that in order to choose freedom, they could not lead a double life, speaking the right speech, singing the right songs and dressing the right way in church, but outside of church, speaking, dressing and singing songs at odds with the good that is in them. 

     The inspiration dominating the day came from the testimonials of the members of the  Atlanta Transitional Center Choir.   Dorsee Savage, a former prisoner and member of the choir told the youth to follow their dreams.  He spoke of his own youth when he was a good student, then began making poor choices that led to his incarceration.   He told the youth to follow their dreams instead of their peers.       

     Kendrick Martin may have given the most emotional plea.  At age 19, Martin was in a holding cell facing murder charges.  He was the driver during a series of events that was not intended to, but led to someone’s death.  Rather than tell on those who were responsible, Martin refused to ‘snitch” and ended up facing more time than the triggerman.   As he cried in the noisy holding cell asking God for answers, he looked over and another inmate spoke these words to him, “don’t you ever give up, don’t you ever stop fighting.”  Martin thought it was as if God was speaking to him.  His thoughts were reinforced when he saw that same inmate months later in prison, and the man who spoke such reassuring words, acted as if he barely knew Martin.  Yet it didn’t matter because the transforming effect on Martin’s heart had begun.        While in prison Martin never gave up and never stopped fighting.  He fought to get into a minimum security classification.  He never gave up even though fellow prisoners would tell him he would be in prison for 25-30 years.  He worked his way to becoming a trustee and then earned a place in the Atlanta Transitional Center.  All the while he turned to God for guidance and protection.  Fifteen years later he is fighting for parole.Martin told the youth that if you work hard there is nothing you can’t be, an astronaut or even President of the United States. Martin humbly stated, “but don’t give in when people say to you, “man you can’t be no astronaut” as they offer you a hit of drugs as an alternative to your dreams.”  He told the youth “everything we went through, we went through so you don’t have to.”The Atlanta Transitional Center provides job training and other services to prisoners preparing to re-enter society.   When inmates go to a transitional center they participate in classes relevant to their particular needs including drug and alcohol education, employment instruction, communication skills and financial management. A job coordinator helps inmates find jobs and participate in the work release program.  The Atlanta Transitional Center is located at 322 Ponce De Leon Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia.