Press Release
Doug Ammar Honored with Evelyn G. Ullman Innovative Leadership Award
Atlanta, GA - 6/07/2006 -
The Georgia Center for Nonprofits will honor Douglas Ammar, executive director of the Georgia Justice Project, with the 2006 Evelyn G. Ullman Innovative Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership in addressing a community issue.
Ammar will receive the award today (June 7) during a special presentation at the Georgia Nonprofit Summit at the Gwinnett Convention Center. He will receive a statuette and his organization will receive a check for $15,000.
The monetary award is made available by the Evelyn G. Ullman family, which has committed $75,000 to the awards program. The award will go to a single leader every other year for the next 10 years.
As executive director of the Georgia Justice Project (GJP), Ammar works to ensure justice for the indigent criminally accused and to assist them in establishing crime-free lives and living as productive citizens.
Karen Beavor, Georgia Center for Nonprofits president and CEO, says that Ammar’s entrepreneurial approach to program development made him a standout among the nominees. “The selection committee was impressed, in particular, by Doug’s unique program— New Horizons Landscaping. This business venture employs Georgia Justice Project clients, offering them on-the-job training and steady employment. Not only does this innovative program support the organization’s mission to aid the indigent criminally accused, but it is also earns money to support the organization’s other work.”
Scott Laseter, who chairs the Georgia Justice Project's board of directors, says Ammar is the perfect choice for the award.
"Upon first meeting Doug, I was struck by his eloquent portrayal of his clients and their ‘brokenness.’ And I was even more impressed with the work of Georgia Justice Project in healing that brokenness,” says Laseter. “Doug’s long-term commitment, persistence, and zeal in defending society’s castaways are a model for any public interest attorney. His hopefulness, faith, compassion, and inclusiveness are a model for any member of the community that seeks to forge a better Atlanta."
About Evelyn G. Ullman
An Atlanta resident for much of her life, Evelyn G. Ullman is a long-time supporter of Georgia’s nonprofits—having been a volunteer, donor, and leader. Among her many accomplishments is development of Jerusalem House, a program for homeless men, women and children with AIDS.
About the Georgia Center for Nonprofits
An all-in-one resource for and about Georgia’s nonprofit sector, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits works to serve, strengthen and support nonprofit, charitable organizations statewide. The center provides nonprofits with the resources and tools they need to be most effective; promotes partnerships between nonprofits and foundations, businesses and government to meet critical needs; and helps state and local policy-makers and the public understand and support the work of nonprofits
Media Contact
Laura Caligan
678-916-3005
lc@gcn.org