NEWS RELEASE

'Great ideas' get footing in reality
United Way Community and Neighborhood Investment grants announced

ATLANTA--A small amount of money can still make a big change in the community, thanks to the community building efforts of several groups across metro Atlanta. Recipients of the United Way Community and Neighborhood Investment (CNI) fund grants include 15 neighborhood and community groups throughout metro Atlanta.

United Way announced last week the latest recipients of CNI grants, which include groups such as the Asian American Youth Alliance, the Greater Towers Community Association and the Oroko Cultural Association.

"The CNI grants focus on community building from the grass roots level, helping small groups that might not otherwise be able to accomplish their 'great ideas,'" said Chris Allers, senior vice president, Community Impact at United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. "Community building is about residents working together to positively impact their communities and neighborhoods, and CNI grants focus on areas where a small group can make a big difference."

CNI grants, started in 1996, are small grants awarded to neighborhood and community groups for projects that promote an increased sense of community among participants and focus on renewing and revitalizing through a "great idea." The biannual grants fund one-time projects and are usually between $500 and $1,000.

Recipients include:

Clayton County

• The Bethsaida Woods Homeowners Association will beautify and maintain the two entrances to the neighborhood, involving youth and adults in the volunteer project.

Cobb County

• The Mableton Improvement Coalition will create a community Web site that provides community members with information about community issues and meetings and increases resident awareness and community engagement.

• Hands, Feet & Mouth of Rose Garden Hills will enhance and restore a community computer lab that will help community youth through tutorial-based, after-school programming. The computer lab will be open to the community for trainings and other computer related needs.

• The Oroko Cultural Association, made up of people from the Republic of Cameroon, will teach Oroko cultural traditions and storytelling through African Family Day, the weekend of July 4, 2004.

DeKalb County

• The Asian American Youth Alliance Day will unify the Asian-American community through volunteer projects in Asian-American communities.

• The Great Towers Block Party, produced by the Greater Towers Community Association, will bring together all members of the community for a day of fun, creating an atmosphere of community understanding.

Douglas County

• The Arts Education Development project of the Cultural Arts Council will create a program that includes an artist in residence for a week at schools, and workshops for teachers about public art.

• The SMS Sistahood Project will help Stewart Middle School young women become leaders and develop self-esteem through an after school program.

Fulton County

• The Enchanted Closet, which provides prom dresses for 50 low-income high school girls, will hold "Prom Prep 101" a full-day workshop to teach the young women what to expect and how to prepare for prom including budgeting and etiquette.

• The Academy for Diaspora Literacy will teach storytelling to educate and build cultural literacy for African and African-American communities.

• In His GREAT Name Ministry will empower members of the neighborhood through a beautification project that will include flowers and signs that read, "Our community is changing because people care."

Gwinnett County

• The Collins Hill High School Outdoor Classroom Committee, comprised of teachers, students, parents and Boy Scouts of America Troop 50 I, will use its CNI funds to buy building supplies for an outdoor classroom. The completed classroom will allow students to test water samples from the nearby creek and provide community members with nice trails to use during non-school hours.

• The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute Hi-Hope Committee will provide Hi-Hope Service Center with supplies needed for the new senior activity center.

• The Latin American Association will purchase books written in English to assist adult students in English as a second language classes.

Paulding County

• Image Concepts will use a workshop to help job seekers develop a professional image. Participants will gain confidence and communicating and networking skills.

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