Atlanta Habitat for Humanity hosted the Atlanta Chapter 2018 Spring Meeting on May 1 at their impressive offices. Following a short networking session, LAI Atlanta Chapter President Jim Viviano opened the meeting with a welcome to members and guests followed by the Treasurer’s report and chapter updates.
As she represented the chapter at the Spring 2018 Baltimore Land Economics Weekend, LAI Board Member Holly Elmore gave an overview of the fantastic event along with an update on the pre-LEW business meetings. The IMPACT Blog article, Baltimore: revitalization in-process, gives an overview of the LEW while the Ei FB album, 2018 Spring Baltimore LEW, is a pictorial event recap.
LAI Atlanta Flint River Project Team
Additionally, Holly gave an update on the Finding the Flint LAI Atlanta Chapter project under development. While at the Baltimore LEW, Holly met with the Land Economics Foundation (LEF) Board for a preview of the potential project; Board members are enthusiastic to review a LEF grant application at the Fall 2018 Orange County LEW.
American Rivers Director, Clean Water Supply Ben Emanuel attended the spring chapter meeting and gave an overview of the current Flint River headwaters scenario. Finding the Flint Coordinator Hannah Palmer supported Ben in his informal presentation. The Zero Waste in ACTION Blog article, The Flint River: a river ready for regeneration, details the Flint River history along with a synopsis of the March 17 Park Pride Finding the Flint Tour. Park Pride Executive Director Michael Halicki is an LAI member and attended the meeting.
Lisa Gordon presenting
Following chapter reports, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity (AHH) President and CEO Lisa Gordon gave a superb keynote presentation on Revitalizing Atlanta Neighborhoods. Celebrating thirty-five years of impact, AHH has served nearly 6,000 family members since 1983. AHH is staged to serve 175 new families in 2018, a 218% increase over 2014 when 55 new families were served.
After acceptance into the first-time homeownership program, the buyer helps to build the house and pays an affordable 30-year, zero-interest mortgage Built for success, AHH homeowners are required to take classes on operating and maintaining a home. Classes are provided at the AHH offices. With a neighborhood focus, AHH provides “repairs with kindness” and “brushes with kindness” assistance for home maintenance from aesthetic and functional standpoints. Lisa’s empowering presentation is available for download: 05-01-18_LisaGordon_LAITalkingPointsFinal.
AHH Home Education Center
Post-meeting LAI members and guests were treated to a tour of the AHH facility including the “Wall of Dreams” where options for siding, flooring and other structure choices are displayed for new homes, the home education center, the construction area, and the ReStore retail operation. Meeting and tour photos are included in the LAI FB album under the Spring 2018 Meeting section.
Thank you, Jim, for inviting Lisa to present at the Spring LAI Atlanta Chapter meeting. Thank you, Lisa, for your hospitality as the meeting host and educating on Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s empowering role in revitalizing Atlanta neighborhoods.