The most effective communities support members who take risks, try new things and go out on limbs to create and innovate. Most area residents had only experienced public housing or affordable housing or housing of last resort, and we wanted people to see something they hadn't seen before. We did a lot of field trips. Data was gathered and analyzed by the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). Prior to Purpose Built Communities, Amy worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta as an executive assistant, front office manager, and human resources assistant. She also provided housing-related technical assistance to non-profit, community-based housing developers and Community Development Corporations. Today, a coalition of partners are working with the community to build equity, opportunity and healthy outcomes for families. "The people who live there have the opportunity to remain there," he says. Along the way, weve answered some big questions, such as: The Mill District is a defined project area that encompasses four older and historic neighborhoods: City Village, North Highland, Bibb Village, and Anderson Village. East Lake led Cousins and other investors like Warren Buffett to create a nonprofit consulting group called Purpose Built Communities to take the idea national. But Oakley says the success has benefited only a small group of people. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A native of Columbia, SC, Zenith holds a bachelors in science and a masters degree from the University of South Carolina in Criminal Justice. Economy. He is an urban planner and a national expert in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and a variety of federal housing grant programs, including Choice Neighborhoods, HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration, and Section 8, among others. Purpose Built Communities offers expert leadership and consultation via a dynamic team of experts who help local leaders working to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through holistic community revitalization. Katie Delp has committed her career to developing communities into thriving socially, economically and racially equitable neighborhoods. The Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) was founded in 2011, and represents one of the KCMO Chamber of Commerces Big 5 Ideas. UNI is partnering with several neighborhood groups and local leadership organizations to bring new opportunities Kansas Citys urban core. There, April worked alongside a multi-disciplinary team of social scientists to advance the organizations strategic outreach and engagement initiatives with partners across various advocacy fields, including housing, education, health, and human services. Ben Poston. (Renee Hannans/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP). Amy Clear is a seasoned fundraising professional with years of experience in the nonprofit sector. As Development Director for The Georgia Justice Project (GJP), Melissa was responsible for raising 100% of the organizations revenue and led an innovative and successful 25th anniversary campaign that capitalized GJPs five-year strategic growth plan. After yoga, invite a new attendee to have a physically-distanced coffee with your core group, or ask for input from a colleague on your project. How does geography limit your access to opportunities and what can be done to change that reality? For years, Kendall-Whittier was on a steady decline and was a place where opportunity was elusive until an influx of new immigrants began to move in and stabilize the neighborhood. In this capacity, she plays a central role in building relationships among Purpose Built network members across the country, in order to strengthen the ability of neighborhood revitalization leaders to share best practices and apply effective strategies in their respective communities. So far, the group, Purpose Built Communities, has taken the approach to 11 other neighborhoods across the country, from New Orleans to Omaha, Neb. Purpose Built Communities is a nonprofit organization that works with local leaders across the country to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by producing better health outcomes, racial equity, and economic mobility. Recognized by the Urban Land Institute as a national model for community redevelopment, the East Lake Foundation was created in 1995 to help transform one of Atlantas most troubled neighborhoods. In a wide-ranging interview, Naugton and Eytan Davidson, Purpose Built Communities' vice president of communications, talked about the creation of their organization, how housing and community health intersect, and what challenges have been the most difficult to solve. All rights reserved. The former St. Bernard public housing development in New Orleans was transformed after Hurricane Katrina, using the East Lake Foundation model. When she isnt reflecting on communities of practice, Ashley enjoys exploring near and far places by foot, bike, and public transportation. She led the GSGATLs finance and information technology departments, working to ensure that the Council staff received the resources necessary to fulfill GSGATLs mission. SACRAMENTO, Calif. A crew of state workers arrived early one hot summer day to clear dozens of people camped under a dusty overpass near California's Capitol. Value and Impact of the Purpose Built Community of Practice: 2019-2021 INTRODUCTION Purpose Built Communities (Purpose Built) brings together Network Members (NMs) leaders and staff from organizations representing dozens of efforts to improve neighborhoods across the country in a networked Community of Practice (CoP) structure. Lift Orlando works with residents to strengthen the neighborhoods surrounding Camping World Stadium by investing in mixed-income housing, cradle to career education, health and wellness outcomes and economic viability. Today, Growing Together and its partners are building on that solid foundation in the neighborhood, which serves as a hub for Tulsas vibrant Latinx community. Before founding MCG, Michelle was a senior manager for IBM, KPMG Consulting and Accenture. "Investing In What Works for America's Communities It Takes a Neighborhood: Purpose Built Communities and Neighborhood Transformation", "The East Lake Story | Community Redevelopment | Atlanta, Georgia | East Lake Foundation", "Mission | Community Redevelopment | Atlanta, Georgia | East Lake Foundation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Purpose_Built_Communities&oldid=1082436661, Non-profit organizations based in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 April 2022, at 05:08. EvanRead More. South Rome Alliance is committed to ensuring a clean, safe, vibrant and beautiful community in South Rome. They arent immune from tough circumstances, instead they adapt and become stronger as they cope together. Her broad scope of experience supporting busy executives and skills in event planning and budget management skills ensure smooth day-to-day operations at Purpose Built Communities. (Getty Images/iStockphoto). Gender Pay Gap Remains Stable And Little Changed From 20 Years Ago, Pew Research Finds, Even During Uncertain Times, Companies Are Investing In People, Research Shows, How To Gain A Competitive Advantage In A Crowded Marketplace, How Is The Freelance Revolution Shaping Up In Germany? When President Eisenhower created the U.S. Interstate Highway System in 1956, transportation planners tore through the nation's urban areas with freeways that . Resident Akua Taylor, a musician, moved here in 2013 but says she knows the area is very different from what it was like 20 years ago. Community is critical to our overall wellbeing and the decline of our connectedness is coming at the same time mental health issues are on the rise. As a leader, encourage career growth and support people if they try something new and fail. Ben is the Special Assistant to the CEO at Purpose Built Communities. The golf club has played a central role in a sparking redevelopment, and the neighborhood has avoided some of the typical pitfalls that come with such a transformation. A strategic senior executive, she boasts more than 20 years of proven experience in successfully driving innovation to build growth and long-term sustainability for diverse, national, and local organizations. Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of pride in the neighborhood. The most important thing for people with choice, who think about where they're going to live, is where their kids are going to go to school. A new charter school, a YMCA and other amenities soon appeared. It was a school that was about 99% African American, and about 80% of the kids qualified for free and reduced lunch. Why is early learning a central element of neighborhood revitalization? Prior to relocating, she served on the Board of the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School and The Odyssey Family Counseling Center. Evan Smith is a Vice President at Purpose Built Communities, a non-profit, pro bono consulting firm that believes everyone deserves the opportunity to live and raise their children in communities where they can achieve their full potential. People appreciate being welcomed and valued. Prior to joining Purpose Built Communities, she served as a manager at Coxe Curry & Associates. Catalina has focused her work most recently inboth teacher and leadership development. Purpose Built Communities is an Atlanta-based non-profit consulting firm helping local leaders to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by tran See more 3,153 people like this 3,509 people follow this 34 people checked in here http://www.purposebuiltcommunities.org/ (404) 591-1400 info@purposebuiltcommunities.org Closed now New findings published in the Journal of Neuroscience found people made better decisions when they considered others. Her professional experience also includes a post as Development Manager with The Habitat Company, a Chicago-based for-profit housing developer charged with serving as the court-appointed Receiver for the Chicago Housing Authority. Alexandra is a proud Georgia Bulldawg completing her undergraduate studies at The University of Georgia as both an NCAA Scholar Athlete dancer and HOPE Scholarship recipient. East Lake resident Orlando Geiger says it doesn't feel it's a place for him. Purpose Built Communities CEO David Edwards giving a tour of Charles R. Drew Charter School to a group of Tallahassee officials. Billionaire investor Warr Read More Contact Who is Purpose Built Communities Headquarters In all of his work, he saw many students achieve great successes, but was struck by how a childs zip code remained a significant predictor of their life outcomes. Additionally, Catalina works with the Purpose Built Communities consultant team to strategize immediate and long term-planning for the implementation of a high quality educational programs resulting in strong academic outcomes for students in each phase of the Education Pipeline Early Learning, Elementary, Middle and High School. Michelle Matthews joined Purpose Built Communities in 2016 as Senior Vice President after leading her own consulting company, Matthews Consulting Group (MCG), for more than a decade. Grove Park Foundation (GPF) has grown out of the efforts to restore several historic neighborhoods suffering from decades of disinvestment and environmental degradation on the Westside of Atlanta. Her passion for education and the desire to mandate high quality education for all students regardless of socioeconomic factors led her to explore education law and policy, specifically the constitutionality of educational gerrymandering and halting additional forms of educational segregation. With her varied background, Amy brings unique perspective andRead More. Now, people are finding out about us and they're coming to us, and some of them have a much better understanding of it. in Psychology and History from Emory University and an M.S. The Northside was once home to the sprawling Spartan Mills, and area fortunes can be tied directly to the rise and eventual fall of the mill. He resides in Albuquerque, NM and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking, camping, cooking out, and being outside. As Development Manager, Mikki had primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of a variety of development efforts including comprehensive HOPE VI, mixed income, and mixed finance revitalization efforts as well as more conventional scattered site developments. Purpose Built works to improve neighborhoods so that they become platforms that support families working to improve their lives. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. "It's still benefiting the people that were here prior to the gentrification.". As Senior Deputy Finance Director for the Michelle Nunn for Senate Campaign, Melissa was part of a team that raised money and directed volunteers across the state. We didn't appreciate that the community development business was, in many ways, the arms and legs of the public health world, the community-level health world. April Callen is the Director, Racial Equity Programs at Purpose Built Communities. hide caption. He was twice named to the Fortune Magazine Inner City 100 list. Ellen started her career with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and spent several years with AT&T as a Capacity Planner/Manager. Naughton, who worked for the Atlanta Housing Authority as the effort got underway, noticed residents seemed not only happier but healthier and, intriguingly, more fit. In other words, when your own connections know each other, youre more likely to feel supported. She is a recognized expert when it comes to developing strategies to improve business processes, maximize human capital and increase revenues. How can we reimagine housing to advance equity? "Whatever statistic you looked at, you could see that people were really struggling," she says. Within a decade, the old brick-and-mortar housing units were gone, replaced by units that mimicked some of Atlanta's best private-market residences. Namely, the presenters claim that the Gaza border wall was built for the express purpose of "controlling Gaza's resources and those entering and exiting Gaza." Hack says she thinks this can work elsewhere too, even if there isn't a fancy golf course to provide support. Melissa currently serves on the Selection Advisory Council of GreenLight Fund Bay Area. Renaissance West Community Initiative is a non-profit organization coordinating the education and services continuum of the former Boulevard Homes public housing site into a vibrant, village called Renaissance. She started her accounting career as an auditor and moved into nonprofit accounting as the Accounting Manager for the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2009. Effective communities also embrace conflict and diversityworking through differences of opinion and making space for civil discourse and the learning that occurs from appreciating multiple points of view. NAUGHTON: How to deliver really high-quality, neighborhood-serving education is still really hard. The Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income housing community about 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Backed by in-depth research and accompanied by news and analysis . First, mixed-income housing really doing a great job on housing that serves people across a broad range of incomes. Evan provides consulting and technical assistance to local leaders implementing a proven neighborhood revitalization strategy designed to create a healthy, mixed-income neighborhood with pathways to prosperity for the lowest-income families. They ended up answering a request for proposal from the Housing Authority of New Orleans, and they submitted for the St. Bernard site, which was running four public housing sites that had been basically destroyed by the storm. Zenith Houston is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partners, where she leads all fundraising, communications, and marketing efforts and design systems aimed at advancing Purpose Built Communities mission. As word of East Lake's success spread, other philanthropic civic leaders expressed interest. When work is stellar, recognize it. Peoples roles have meaning in the bigger picture of the community and each member of the group understands how their work connects to others and adds value to the whole. More About the Transformation of East Lake Meadows in Atlanta. In 1995, Tom Cousins purchased historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia with the intent to restore it and give its profits to the East Lake Foundation, a foundation he established to help fight poverty within the East Lake Community. Melissa Devereaux brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, development and volunteer/partner engagement to her work with Purpose Built Communities. R. 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