Small Successes: Nondenominational Chapel Service

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Director, Office of Chaplaincy Services, GA Department of Juvenile Justice

Chaplain Emily Kelly is the Director of Chaplaincy Services for Georgia’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). She began her work with DJJ in 2015 as a Chaplain Intern while earning her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Since that time, she has remained committed to supporting the people who carry out DJJ’s mission every day. Throughout her career, Chaplain Kelly has intentionally served all areas of the agency, helping her to recognize the unique challenges faced by probation officers and other justice professionals. She recognizes the emotional weight and cumulative stress that come with this work, and she views chaplaincy as a practical resource for resilience, grounding, and support. Her approach emphasizes presence, confidentiality, and respect for diverse beliefs, creating space for officers to process both professional and personal challenges. By supporting both youth and staff, Chaplain Kelly works to strengthen the overall health of the system and the individuals within it. Her work is guided by a commitment to seeing and hearing the person in front of her.