'Chief Storytellers': The Newest City Trend? 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. This work includes direct consultation with schools,Read More, Vice President of Educational Initiatives. The crime rate was 18 times higher than the national average. Hack was attracted by the safety and affordability. Because all-brick buildings are ugly, and you never see them other than affordable housing, But I also came to understand later that bricks stop the bullets. What are the common causes of distressed neighborhoods and what can be done to reverse these dynamics without creating displacement? "What I really wanted was the stability and someplace safe," Hack says, "and that's what I found here.". Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Prior to relocating, she served on the Board of the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School and The Odyssey Family Counseling Center. Atlanta has got three. A proud product of Georgia public schools, Ashley grew up in Atlanta attending Atlanta Public Schools and then went on to receive a bachelors degree in anthropology and French from the University of Georgia and a masters degree in city and regional planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology. A former Atlanta housing project has become a model for neighborhood revitalization, and its architects are spreading their messageelsewhere. But the model in Atlanta. She started her accounting career as an auditor and moved into nonprofit accounting as the Accounting Manager for the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2009. 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? In 2007, they and many other longtime residents began to organize and in 2011, they helped create a new vision for the future that led to the founding of Growing Together. How did that come about? At Georgia Tech, her applied research focused on permanent supportive housing and Housing First policies, equitable local economic development practices, as well as how planners and city officials can better engage with and incorporate the perspectives of immigrant/refugee populations into policymaking processes. In her role as Executive Assistant, Bobbie Riley provides high-level administrative support to Carol Naughton, CEO, and Ellen Newton, CFO. Linda resides in Dawsonville, GA with her husband, their three children, and four dogs. Prior to joining the East Lake Foundation, Carol was the General Counsel for Atlanta Housing Authority where she played an instrumental role in the revitalization of traditional public housing communities into economically viable, self-sustaining, mixed-income communities and was a key member of the leadership team that transformed AHA from a failing bureaucracy to a national leader in community development. Hack was attracted by the safety and affordability. ", The Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income housing community about 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Catalinaleads the instructional team at Purpose Built Communities working toward a comprehensive cradle-to-college education strategy for each Purpose Built Communities Network Member. Prior to his tenure with AHA, he was a Senior Planning and Development Officer for the City of Atlanta/Fulton County. And so these guys rolled up their sleeves alongside Carol. Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of pride in the neighborhood. While in law school she served as an educational law policy analyst and legal extern for former U.S. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. She is also a board member for the Quality Care for Children. While making a phone call may seem very yesterday, a new study by the University of Texas Austin found voice calls can create stronger bonds than text messages. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and then served as a policy fellow with the Georgia Governors Office of Student Achievement shortly after graduation. The Villages of East Lake is a mixed-income housing community about 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Prior to this role, Ben served as a principal in Denver, CO, where he led a high school to improve two tiers on the states school accountability system. They arent immune from tough circumstances, instead they adapt and become stronger as they cope together. She is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta (Class of 2020), the Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute, and REALITY Impact Israel. Theres no part of the city with more potential to grow and add vitality to our region than Southeast Raleigh. As a leader, hold regular one-on-ones with your staff members. Transform one of the city's worst housing projects into a neighborhood where people actually want to live. Their goal? Ashley Bozarth joined Purpose Built Communities as Knowledge Manager, a newly created role supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in early 2020. The goal of his program is to prepare leaders to have a systemic impact on the American education sector. She began as senior vice president of the nonprofit and was elevated to president in 2015, with a goal of replicating East Lake's best practices in other poor neighborhoods. NAUGHTON: The folks from the East Lake Foundation and the housing authority started meeting together to plan what we would do if we could do something better. One of these people is 66-year-old Carl Griffith, who was born and raised about a mile from here. You may opt-out by. Prior toRead More. DAVIDSON: There were lots of people coming to East Lake and saying, "Wow, this is terrific." There are high levels of trust and psychological safety in which people know others will have their backs and will give them not only the benefit of the doubt, but the space to apply their talents and develop new ones. Born and raised in LaBelle, Florida, Evan loves outdoor adventures. 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. When East Lake Meadows Public Housing was torn down, residents were offered the chance to return to the new community, but they had to meet some requirements: no felony record and either employed or in training. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Social capital is positive for people because it provides the opportunity for growth, learning and advice. People appreciate being welcomed and valued. Prior to Purpose Built Communities, Linda had 15 years of experience in executive administration, account management, and sales in both the private and nonprofit sectors. The strength of our bonds matters too. 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. Build your community by staying in touch with peopleeven if you have to accomplish it virtually. This work focuses on building a community of practice via peer-to-peer engagement, documentation of best practices and innovation, and regular convenings of network members. People were worried about guns and gun violence. Backed by in-depth research and accompanied by news and analysis, the site features comprehensive rankings drawn from an examination of nearly 3,000 counties and county-equivalents on 89 metrics across 10 categories, informing residents, health care leaders and officials about local policies and practices that drive better health outcomes for all. More About the Transformation of East Lake Meadows in Atlanta. Carol Redmond Naughton is the Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Built Communities, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving racial equity, economic mobility and health outcomes in communities across the country. Taking these actions will give individuals a better experience, and also strengthen the overall community. However, due to years of disinvestment, this largely immigrant and refugee neighborhood has become an area of concentrated poverty. The working class neighborhood experienced ups and downs in the ensuing decades. The Atlanta Housing Authority says about 13 percent of families were not allowed back. He has hiked more than 600 miles of the Appalachian Trail with plans to hike the entire trail; paddled all the Wilderness Waterway (in Everglades NP); and summited Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States. 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. Today, the Northside Development Group leads a diverse coalition of people investing time and resources for a safe and strong Northside community. The East Adams Street neighborhood was devastated in the 1950s and 1960s to make space for Interstate 81. Alexandra Wiggins supports current Network Members and assists new prospects as Vice President for Purpose Built Communities. The club does fund things like a youth mentorship program at a nine-hole public course in the community. Bobbie worked for over 15 years at Koch Industries/Georgia-Pacific and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Shoy says he understands why some residents pushed back at elements of East Lake's transformation. 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. There is a place and a role for each person, and group members feel they can bring all of themselves to their work and their team. Southeast Raleigh is rich in culture, diversity and promise. Back then, there was so much violent crime, it was known as "Little Vietnam" a war zone. Ms. Anderson received a BA in English from Northern Illinois University and additionally completed extensive studies in housing and community development through certifications from the Urban Developers Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Chicago Rehab Networks award-winning Community Empowerment Series. Can Five Generations Coexist In The Workplace? With her varied background, Amy brings unique perspective and experience to her role at Purpose Built Communities. With over 60 years serving seniors we have experienced this first hand, over and over. Why is early learning a central element of neighborhood revitalization? 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. We work with local leaders to improve equity and opportunity in neighborhoods nationwide. In her current role as Human Resources and Office Manager, Linda plays a critical role in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent within our organization. More than two decades later, the community formerly known as East Lake Meadows is touted as an urban success story an attractive, safe neighborhood with high-quality homes and educational offerings. He is serving at Purpose Built Communities as part of his doctoral program in educational leadership at the HarvardGraduate School of Education. Newer townhouses are seen in the East Lake Meadows community of Atlanta in 1998, with older apartments and an elderly center visible in the background. She is a trusted advisor with more than 30 years of experience in organizational development, change management and consulting. Healthiest Communities is an interactive destination developed by U.S. News & World Report for consumers and policymakers. She has provided consulting services to a range of nonprofits including Points of Light, The New School, Hands On Georgia, and the Atlanta Womens Foundation. She has been a central office administrator, a school principal and a teacher in Atlanta Public Schools, City Schools of Decatur Schools and The Howard School, all in metro Atlanta. Before joining Purpose Built, Ashley was a community and economic development research analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, specializing in workforce development policy. Collaborating with media and nonprofit organizations through various platforms across different issue areas, Aprils practice is to support advocates in developing deeper understandings of racial equity, gender justice, and economic mobility and applying those lessons to their own work in purposeful, creative, and engaging ways. And I didn't understand why. Gov. This is a BETA experience. As a manager at Teach For America, he developed and led professional development efforts, on both a regional and national level, to increase classroom rigor and student achievement. Yet despite the sweeping effects of the pandemic, we can strengthen and sustain community. Encourage team members to pull each other in, obtain feedback and work through tough challenges together. In this capacity, she plays a central role in building relationships amongRead More. NAUGHTON: There are a number of cities that have more than one of these now. in Urban Studies and Africana Studies and an MS.Ed., both from the University of Pennsylvania. We appreciate a small circle of people, but need larger circles as well. 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. Aventine, Hillsboro, Etowah Terrace, South Rome Commons, Coosa Country Club/Virginia Circle, and Darlington Village. The course that hosts the event the East Lake Golf Club is in the middle of a once-struggling neighborhood known for poverty, crime and a troubled public housing project. He is serving at Purpose Built Communities as part of his doctoral program in educational leadership at the HarvardGraduate School of Education. We welcome inquiries about our work and resources. Working from the belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, the Foundation offers tools that enable residents to build brighter futures. Help members of your group who are struggling by encouraging plenty of expression, especially from those with fresh or novel opinions. The Purpose Built Communities model of holistic . This may seem like a small thing to most; but to our residents this is very important . 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. Also, demonstrate compassion and help others feel a sense of belonging. Our health and happiness are inextricably linked with our connections. New findings published in the Journal of Neuroscience found people made better decisions when they considered others. He resides in Albuquerque, NM and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking, camping, cooking out, and being outside. Ben is the Special Assistant to the CEO at Purpose Built Communities. Despite various challenges, South Citys location near downtown and the availability of vacant lots make it a prime community for redevelopment and reinvestment without displacement. Now, people are finding out about us and they're coming to us, and some of them have a much better understanding of it. All rights reserved. Once a central hub for many residents, the area has languished over the years from inadequate public infrastructure and lack of economic development. Contact - Purpose Built Communities Home > Contact Let's start a conversation. If 200 people end up being housed in the Alexandria village, its total construction cost, which was about $8.6 million, works out to $43,000 per bed, and running the site costs $55 per person per . NAUGHTON: There are three key strategies. "I mean, it's not perfect now, but then, it was scary," he says. She then pursued a Masters from Kennesaw State University in Accountancy and obtained her CPA license in 2007. "We are very intentional and unabashed about the fact that the East Lake model is disruptive," Shoy says. So once Tom Cousins created the East Lake Foundation, and plans were made to raze the projects, how did things get started? EvanRead More. Strong communities are always evolving. NAUGHTON: When we first started, we just thought of ourselves as being in the community development business. Catalinaleads the instructional team at Purpose Built Communities working toward a comprehensive cradle-to-college education strategy for each Purpose Built Communities Network Member. Prior to Purpose Built, he worked as an educator. As members of community, people dont just want to lay bricks, they want to build a cathedral. As part of his role, Jim leads work around the organizations mixed-income housing program and urban planning efforts, critical components of Purpose BuiltRead More, Vice President of Housing and Community Development. Innovation often comes from the edges previously untested, untried or unpopular ideas. In addition to Historic South. Acquisitions of large parcels of land by Seventy Five North have presented a unique real estate opportunity with the potential for enormous community impact. She led the GSGATLs finance and information technology departments, working to ensure that the Council staff received the resources necessary to fulfill GSGATLs mission. She is a recognized expert when it comes to developing strategies to improve business processes, maximize human capital and increase revenues. 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. This has included leading professional development programs in aspiring leaders and support for new teachers and principals. Ashley began her career as a kindergarten and second grade teacher at an elementary school in Philadelphia as a Teach for America corps member. A strategic seniorRead More, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. The former St. Bernard public housing development in New Orleans was transformed after Hurricane Katrina, using the East Lake Foundation model. 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. Prior to working for Michaels, Mikki served as Program Officer for Housing and Economic Development for the Steans Family Foundation, whose mission focused solely on the revitalization of the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicagos West Side. But all of this together has had the same impact as if we had done a health intervention program. Even everyday contributions matter to the community as a whole. She serves as a liaison between the Board of Directors and senior management teams while also organizing and coordinating executive outreach and external relations efforts. July 7, 2022 5 AM PT. The second piece is the cradle-through-college education pipeline starting with high-quality early learning that prepares every little genius to be successful in elementary, middle and high school, and beyond. In other words, when your own connections know each other, youre more likely to feel supported. He has led planning and development efforts for major projects across the United States, including such diverse cities as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Birmingham and Charlotte, with a development value of over $2 billion. The Purpose Built newsletter offers insights into the many facets of community development, news from Network Member, the latest research and information on best practices for removing barriers to racial equity, and much more. 2023 Purpose Built Communities. "The people who live there have the opportunity to remain there," he says. Alex is a graduate of Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center where she received her Juris Doctor as well as a Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law. Purpose Built Communities is a nonprofit entity that already is working on redevelopment projects in a half-dozen cities around the country. EIN: 45-4056587. The comments from FBI Director Christopher Wray come after a new DOE report thrust the lab leak theory back into the spotlight. April Callen is the Director, Racial Equity Programs at Purpose Built Communities. Amy Clear is a seasoned fundraising professional with years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Purpose Built Communities partners with local leaders to design, direct, and accelerate neighborhood transformation initiatives across the United States with the shared goal to ensure every resident experiences greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and increased upward mobility. Focused Community Strategies (FCS) has been partnering with under-resourced Atlanta neighborhoods for forty years starting with Grant Park, and then Ormewood Park, Summerhill, and East Lake. Purpose Built Communities has 28 neighborhood revitalization projects underway and another 50 in development across 34 US states. While working as a manager in the Teach For America Rio Grande Valley office, he created and championed an alternative goal-setting methodology that was adopted by the other Texas regions. Hack says she needed affordability as she finished her education. A cultural critic and communications strategist by training, April has analyzed popular media and communications, politics, and culture to identify necessary intervention points to tell new, more affirming stories about Black people and other people of the global majority for more than ten years.