United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Post

New Speaker Alert at Power Connections Commercial Real Estate! Join Us for a Special Fireside Chat: Grand Actions for Grand Rapids. Join Dick DeVos, former Amway president and co-chair of Grand Action 2.0, as we discuss leading transformational projects in Grand Rapids. Topics include: -How past Grand Action projects have expanded opportunities in Grand Rapids -The impact of the new Amphitheatre and Soccer Stadium on downtown development -Collaboration between public and private leaders for local projects -The importance of public policy in supporting community-benefiting projects Don't miss this insightful discussion on shaping the future of Grand Rapids and our State! #GrandRapids #GrandAction #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityGrowth #PublicPolicy #TransformationalProjects

#Values are necessary for the guiding of organizations and #communitybuilding initiatives. Values provide the foundations on which we operate and the lenses in which we look at and address opportunities, challenges, stakeholder/peer interactions, conflict, priorities, and so much more. The City of Port Huron Southside Neighborhood Improvement Authority is working now to finalize its values. These values will provide the foundation for its Development and Tax Increment Finance Plan. As I work with Teresa Gillotti to prepare for tomorrow's meeting, writing the following draft values out by hand, not only got me thinking about the model this neighborhood could serve as, but I asked myself "what are my personal values and how is this work in Port Huron helping me reshape and refine my personal values and the values of Double Haul Solutions?" Port Huron's Southside Neighborhood Improvement Authority's draft values currently include: ◾ Community: We are a nurturing environment that fosters a sense of belonging where everyone feels connected and supported. ◾ Inclusivity: We advocate diversity on all fronts and embrace the unique perspectives and needs of all individuals. ◾ Opportunity: We strive to create equitable access to resources and opportunities, empowering every member of our neighborhood to pursue their aspirations and achieve their goals. ◾ Safety: We prioritize the physical and mental well-being and security of all in our community so that all can thrive. ◾ Intentionality: We approach every decision and interaction with thoughtfulness, cultivating meaningful connections and a commitment to deliberate action. ◾ Diversity: We celebrate the richness of our community's diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, recognizing this richness is foundational to our collective strength and resilience. Likely some more refinement ahead, but hopefully the above has gotten you to think about the values that define you...

Values define... Values guide... Values inspire...

Every now and then, you get to be part of something bigger than your day-to-day business, something that genuinely makes a difference in the community. That's exactly the journey we've been on with the Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity, led by the incredible Cheri Witt-Brown. Their unwavering dedication to building stronger communities is a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for us all. Cheri shared some kind words that really hit home: “Connecting Point is one of our most cherished community partners... The Connecting Point team is amazing to work with and has partnered with us to improve our technology, enhance our IT security, and allows our team to work more efficiently.” This partnership underlines a fundamental truth: when businesses and community organizations come together, the potential for positive impact is boundless. It's not just about providing technological support or enhancing IT security. It's about building a foundation for these organizations to thrive, enabling them to focus on their critical missions—building homes, communities, and hope. I'm proud of what we've achieved together with the Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity and am excited about the future of this partnership. Let's all take a moment to consider how we can contribute to our communities, leveraging our unique strengths for the greater good. Together, we have the power to make a meaningful difference. Let's embrace the spirit of partnership and community in all that we do. #CommunitySpirit #PowerOfPartnership #MakingADifference

Sometimes, when you're in the thick of implementing a project, you need to take a beat and reflect on what has been accomplished. In our Project STAR Year 2 review, we share some of our most significant accomplishments. Swipe right to see, and visit our website to download 'Project STAR Year 2 in Review'. https://lnkd.in/eS5KhqtE . ✅ 1. Increased access to economic opportunities for 891 residents, with 18% being at-risk youth. ✅ 2. 575 resident entrepreneurs and local businesses benefited from business development support. ✅ 3. 693 residents, 41% of which are parents and children, have benefited from ongoing psycho-social support. ✅ 4. Led by 1526 community members, 4 Community Transformation Action Plans (CTAPs) have been drafted and are ready for implementation. ✅ 5. 59% increase in stakeholder collaboration and partnership resulting in broader participation. ✅ 6. Learnings have been applied to refine and improve the STAR community entry process and the STAR community transformation planning process. #ProjectSTARJA #everybodyfahwud #ForABetterJamaica

Creating change and opportunities for the most vulnerable is not just a box to be casually ticked. It's a raw, unwavering passion and determination that refuses to let any obstacle extinguish the vision of a brighter future for all. I recently had the privilege of engaging with the inspiring learners from Beacon LSEN in Mitchell's Plain. These students, requires special educational needs, and in their final year of school before entering the workforce. Practical skills development is absolutely vital for these learners, as it opens doors to potential employment through initiatives like the CWP (Community Works Programme) and EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme). Yet, the sobering reality is that many may still face the challenge of unemployment, relying on government assistance for a much-needed subsidy. But I refuse to be deterred. This is where our collective resolve must burn the brightest, fueling innovative solutions to ensure these learners' talents and aspirations are unleashed upon the world. The future is ours to shape, one empowered individual at a time. LIXIL Making Better Homes a Reality For Everyone,Everywhere

At Premier, one of our favourite aspects of taking on a new project is the opportunity to get out on the ground and truly immerse ourselves in the local community. 'Ground truthing' – getting to know what makes each town unique – is central to how we approach engagement. It’s about understanding the values, needs, and aspirations that define a community. We’ve seen firsthand that a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Each town has its own character, and by taking the time to listen and learn, we build a solid foundation for engagement. This ensures that any project we’re involved in happens with the community, not to them. It's more than communication; it’s collaboration. We believe that the most successful projects are those where the community’s voice is part of the decision-making process, driving outcomes that reflect what matters most to them. It also helps to understand communities when a large portion of our talented team is country at heart, with our Head Office located in regional Victoria. Enjoy a few clips from the Premier team getting out on the ground. #communityengagement #ruralcommunities #stakeholderengagement #groundtruthing #regionalaustralia

Proud of Emily Koller, AICP and her planning team, City Council, P&Z, and committee members involved for achieving this award through TxAPA which highlights all the great work they are doing for the City of Amarillo citizens. Way to go! COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AWARD City of Amarillo | Vision 2045 For a comprehensive or general plan that advances the science and art of planning. City Plan – Vision 2045 innovates comprehensive planning for more conservative communities, advancing meaningful planning work while acknowledging Amarillo's hesitancy for land use regulation. Experiencing typical suburban growth along affluent edges as the older core declined, planning has not been viewed as a solution to community challenges arising from these growth patterns. An inclusive process was required to recast planning as a roadmap for positive change and actively address concerns over the plan's potential impact on property owner rights. Ultimately, it evolved into a community-supported guide that strongly emphasizes a voluntary approach to improving Amarillo.

Day 28 of a #sharednarrative for #Plymouth: What is System Convening? There is no one ‘system convener’ in a place but often varied, each of whom can play a role in different contexts. “Systems conveners look at the social landscape in which they operate—an organization, a big challenge, a city, a community, a field, a country, the world—and they see unrealized potential across traditional boundaries and silos. Their stance is both visionary and pragmatic. They work to open spaces for new kinds of conversations between people on different sides of a boundary, for example, a geographic, cultural, disciplinary, political, organizational, or social class boundary.” Wenger & Trayner: https://buff.ly/3Z37zLk Image: an overview of ‘system convening’ reproduced from: https://buff.ly/3YXBFjE Full Plymouth Octopus(POP) narrative: https://buff.ly/4dQZbD1 POP learning and thinking: https://buff.ly/4fZAcPG Dark Matter Labs @Annette https://buff.ly/3YSF4Ac Sky Space Team Development Cic @Jen https://buff.ly/3yMsPK #BEMOREPLYMOUTH #fairer #greener #futurism #regenerativefutures #learning #sharednarrative #plymouth #systemconvening #community #grassroots #funding #grantmaking

This week’s Opportunity Zone Outlook, Habitat and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the grand opening of OC Living this week—a part of the $200 million Ogden Commons Opportunity Zone Project. The celebration also commemorated the groundbreaking for OC Living Phase A2. In other news, Novogradac & Company LLP released a report highlighting how value remains in OZ investments, despite the approaching 2026 deferral deadline on capital gains. Alex Flachsbart, CEO of Opportunity Alabama, notes that current investors are eyeing the Opportunity Zone program’s 10-year hold benefits. Lastly, a proposed $400 million redevelopment of Atlanta's West End Mall is moving forward. Located in an Atlanta Opportunity Zone, the project will focus on affordable housing and access to public transportation. To read: https://lnkd.in/eiTRXpCX To subscribe: https://bit.ly/JillOZNews #OpportunityZone #OpportunityZones #OpportunityFund #OpportunityFunds #RIA #familyoffice #tax #realestate