PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Major social and economic Changes are taking place in Atlanta, and are already being felt in the areas surrounding the Atlanta University Center (AUC). With this in mind, Morehouse College has recognized that there is a strong role for the Emma & Joe Adams Public Service Institute to play in the partnership with greater West End community. The creation of the community development component of the EJAPSI was a logical next step and the first step towards fulfilling that role. The primary community development initiative now underway is the Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force.

The Revitalization Task Force has undertaken a long-range initiative to support local revitalization efforts, as well as to help the neighborhood organizations in the area surrounding the College to prepare to deal with the challenges of growth and development that are now taking place in Atlanta. The Task Force seeks also to reinforce and enhance the relationship Morehouse has with the local community.

At the foundation of the initiative is the role of the Task Force student interns. Each year the Task Force recruits Morehouse students to serve as manpower and technical advisors to our target organizations. These interns serve as one of the primary points of contact between Morehouse and the particular organization. Strong relationships between Morehouse and its neighboring communities are essential for the project to achieve its objectives, and the strength of these relationships will be in large part determined by the commitment and resolve of our interns.

MISSION & OBJECTIVES

To establish a mutually beneficial relationship with adjacent communities that will result in a sustained economic and social improvement and provide Morehouse Students with learning opportunities that cultivate civic growth and development.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

  • Prepare a neighborhood revitalization plan that emphasizes community-articulated preferences for development and preservation. Detail preferred neighborhood development scenarios for guiding future growth and preservation in the areas of housing and commercial development and community infrastructure. Prepare Strategies for financing and implementing revitalization projects and processes.
  • Establish community-based momentum for driving neighborhood revitalization. Create a network of community organizations and institutions for the purpose of formalizing their role in the neighborhood revitalization initiative.
    • Establish strategies for encouraging long-term community support and leadership in promoting neighborhood revitalization.
  • Promote and strengthen meaningful linkages between the community and Morehouse. Integrate community building themes and techniques into academic programming. Provide academic and educational opportunities that encourage participation by community residents and businesses. Expand existing and explore new forums for community outreach.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
  • City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning
  • Council member Cleta Winslow
  • The Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership