Cobb County Superior Court was a hub of positivity recently, marking a pivotal moment for a group of motivated young adults who achieved a milestone not found in the everyday court docket but in their own personal narratives. According to the county's official news release, Judge Kellie S. Hill, together with Attorney Jeanette van der Linden, honored the Excel Restorative Court's 2025 graduating cohort, a cluster of non-violent offenders who've navigated the rigors of a restorative justice system to reconfigure the architecture of their lives over a one-year span.
The ceremony not only signified the completion of the program but also broadcasted the resilience and transformation of its participants, as Judge Hill observed the remarkable progress they made, saying, “Their growth has been remarkable. Today, we don’t just see participants, we see confident individuals who’ve reclaimed their futures. The faces in these headshots are not the faces of a year ago; these are the faces of young people who have invested in themselves and changed their lives for the better,” her remarks immortalized in the county's news release, celebrating the graduates' journey from youthful transgressions to empowered individuals with newly sculpted dreams and hopes for the future, all without the burden of a felony record. In a notable moment from the ceremony, Chris James from the Roots Art Connection took the stage, speaking with plain-spoken power. He imparted wisdom to graduates emphasizing the importance of continuously striving for personal betterment which was not a single act, but a pledge renewed daily within the depths of one's own spirit.
The Excel Restorative Court program, as reported, began its transformative work in 2022 with an aim to provide a restorative pathway that emphasizes accountability, education, and personal growth for 17 to 25-year-old non-violent offenders. Participants were engaged in a variety of activities that included regular court appearances, substance examinations, writing and reading assignments, community service, and mandatory online courses all of them geared toward one end – renewing the mind and redirecting the path. Mentoring and life skills coaching were also central, buttressing the more prescriptive elements of the program with human warmth and wisdom.
Mel, a graduate of the program, thanked the community in the county release, saying their support was the greatest gift of "showing up for me and each other.” His comments echoed the sentiments of other graduates who emphasized the importance of consistent community support throughout their journey. Excel Restorative Court currently reports a zero percent recidivism rate, highlighting the program’s success in helping participants change their lives while strengthening the broader community. Those interested in learning more or supporting the program can contact Attorney Jeanette van der Linden.
