Cite as 3 Litigation Commentary & Rev. 52 (June/July 2010)

Community outreach and charity work are long-term commitments for Georgia Fellow Beth Davis, an Atlanta-based attorney with the Environmental practice group for Thompson Hine.  Beth volunteers for two organizations, The Suzi Bass Awards and CHRIS Kids.  These charities represent her diverse interests and her desire to make Atlanta a better place to live.

Beth has been involved with The Suzi Bass Awards (www.suziawards.org) since the organization’s inception.  “I have always followed live theater,” says Beth, “and for Atlanta to be a thriving community that supports the businesses it wants to attract and keep, including convention and hospitality commerce, the city must offer a variety of high-quality productions at a number of professional theatres.  Happily, Atlanta offers that, but not everyone is aware of the many great options they have.

Part of the mission of the The Suzi Awards is to help make Atlantans aware of those options.”  In addition to its performance awards, the organization recognizes achievement among Atlanta playwrights and committed theatre volunteers in Atlanta.  Another part of the mission of the organization is to educate its judges and the general public regarding the many aspects of professional theatre production and stagecraft.

At an annual gala, the Suzi Awards celebrate all the best that Atlanta's professional theatre community has to offer.  Awards are presented to actors, directors, designers, producers and playwrights in twenty different categories for their work on outstanding productions at 18 participating Atlanta-area professional theaters.  This year’s Suzi Awards, which will be held in Oglethorpe University’s The Conant Center, is in the planning stages.  Beth encourages anyone who has an interest in live theater to attend the popular event and after-party.

As a long-term board member, Beth actively recruits other like-minded individuals to serve.  The organization has a volunteer base and relies on donations to achieve its mission.  Funding for the arts remains in doubt in the current economic climate.  The Suzi Awards enables the community to rise above this uncertainty and reinforce the significance of professional theater to the city.

Beth’s association with CHRIS Kids (www.CHRISkids.org) started when a colleague suggested that she join an advisory board of the organization.  As a mother, Beth says that she was drawn to the charity because of its focus.  “The organization’s work is integral to breaking the cycle of abuse by providing services and support for families, children and young adults,” Beth says.  CHRIS is an acronym for Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity and Safety.  CHRIS Kids provides an alternative to foster care for children and additional support for young adults who are exiting the foster care system; for these older kids, the organization picks up where foster care leaves off.

Beth describes the positive impact that CHRIS Kids has on children who have been abused or abandoned.  “It is gratifying to see kids who were sleeping on a park bench several years ago receive the counseling they need and acquire a college education, skills and good jobs.  They grow to be productive members of the community who are able to raise their own children in healthy environments.”   Many of the children whom CHRIS Kids helps have been kicked out of their houses simply because they are gay.  Statistics show that over half of homeless youth are lesbian, bi-sexual, gay or transgender.   As such, the organization is integrating with the Rainbow Program, now called Transitionz, so that these children are supported.

CHRIS Kids owns a residential complex where children and young adults may live until they have the resources to move to their own apartments or homes.  The charity is running a capital campaign to renovate and expand these living spaces.  Called the Graham Circle Project, the residential community is a $12.1 million dollar project in East Atlanta that will provide housing and resources to young adults who are exiting foster care, rehabilitation, detention facilities, are homeless or who are parenting.   These young adults receive counseling, vocational and educational training and learn skills so that they can achieve independence.

CHRIS Kids also offers services to troubled families via their Keeping Families Together program, which has in-home, in-school, and in-community treatment and counseling.  The Department of Family and Children Services usually refers the families.  The success of the program is evidenced by its results; 90% of CHRIS Kids families successfully work through their challenges and stay together.

Beth encourages anyone who has an interest in getting involved with either The Suzi Bass Awards or CHRIS Kids to visit each organization’s website.   She also invites anyone to contact her at 404-407-3609 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .