Enough Is Enough

February meeting

Mandy Trowell spoke about the Goodwill Green Construction Training program. The program provides free training for entry-level Green Construction jobs, Solar photovoltaic or thermal installers or Weatherization installers/technicians. Participants must live in a designated PUMA (Public Use MicroData Area) that encompasses the Belvedere Park and Gresham Park areas. Contact information: greenconstruction@ging.org or 404-420-1161.

Another speaker from Goodwill Industries spoke about the Business NOW program. This micro-enterprise program assists low to moderate income participants start and grow their own business. Participants will learn basic business elements, marketing, business ownership processes and complete a working business plan. Focus is for businesses with $35,000 or less needed to start up that employ 5 or less employees. Information sessions are available every Thursday at 11:30am. A Saturday session will take place on March 5^th. Contact: ydayscuffie@ging.org or 404-420-9994.

Goodwill also sponsors a MicroMAX program that assists existing small business owners. Contact: ssbrown@ging.org or 404-394-5221.  

SharathMekala, President of Village Defense presented a low cost mass notification system created to deter crime. HOA pricing is $1 per month per resident and includes yard signs, 24 hour hotline, monthly crime reports and real time email and phone calls to all subscribers in the event of a crime. Contact: sharath@villagedefense.com or 678-608-4656.

We discussed the need for us to come together as neighborhoods and communities to decide the characteristics we want our communities to have. Examples: bike trails, common architecture, etc.

Neighborhood maps for the Belvedere Park and Greater Towers area were on display. Each community group needs to analyze their problem areas and properties and note them on the maps in order to create concrete plans for improvement.

OneDekalb is sponsoring classes on how to build effective HOAs and similar topics.

Regarding the compilation of a youth survey, Carla Kalip - assigned to the Youth Development and Empowerment Team - submitted a written request for assistance from EmoryUniversity to Chris Morris, Director of Community Development. The Department of Community Development has utilized extensively the Office of University and Community Partnerships at EmoryUniversity to collect and analyze data for its NSP initiatives. Although they were paid for the County's work, Enough Is Enough is requesting assistance on a "pro bono" basis. The offices of Larry Johnson and Tamir Hasan were copied on the e-mail correspondence.

Specifically, we have requested professional guidance/assistance in compiling a youth survey. The committee is also exploring alternatives at other higher learning institutions in the event we do not meet with success at Emory. The NationalResearchCenter, an affiliate at MorehouseCollege, has been suggested.

The development of a youth survey is critical for many reasons. It will provide credible tool for recommending and/or implementing community programs to benefit youth. It will serve as an introduction of Enough Is Enough. It will make our youth aware of our interests in their needs. It will signify our serious intent to make a difference. And it will invite their participation. We NEED their voice and thoughts about constructive resources and outlets in our communities! It is the intent of Enough Is Enough to compile a youth survey that can affect policy and change as appropriate. An update on the status of our request will provided during the March meeting.

Finally, Carla Kalip extended an invitation to Jason Chernock of Ga Tech; to speak at our March meeting. Dr. Chernock spearheaded a youth development survey in 2008 in conjunction with UGA. Their survey has a slightly different focus in that it questioned academic and career aspirations, and it garnered 918 responses from high school students in DeKalbCounty. Dr. Chernock will confirm his availability.

Dr. Schafer of Habitat for Humanity is working to identify foreclosures and abandoned homes to rehab. They are also rolling out a new program called Brush With Kindness that will paint houses that need a spruce-up. A gifted student from ColumbiaHigh School was present, and she will encourage her peers to help us start up a Habitat High School Chapter from Columbia HS.

Dr. Rice invited us to an Economic Development class on Saturday, March 26 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the MaloofBuilding in Decatur.

TaquaSiddiq asked each neighborhood to design a flyer or brochure to effectively market the benefits it offers. He will collect submissions at the next meeting. Materials can include neighborhood history, geographic location, slogans and strengths.