Cultural Experience Project Reaches Out for Community Support
The Office of Cultural Affairs recently partnered with FM radio station V-103 to raise awareness about the Cultural Experience Project and launch a fundraising drive that will help to sponsor Atlanta Public School students’ visits to cultural attractions.
The Cultural Experience Project provides every APS student with a free, onsite experience at a metro Atlanta art or cultural venue. Each year that the student is enrolled in the APS, they will have a new experience in the program. All visits are directly tied to Georgia Learning Performance Standards and school curriculum goals.
During the 2005-06 school year, the program provided approximately 35,000 APS students with a cultural experience. Venues/ events included the Fernbank Museum of Natural History; the Center for Puppetry Arts; the High Museum and Atlanta Reads programming.
Visit costs are absorbed by the venues and the City. Donations from Cultural Experience Project supporters – like Aetna Insurance who recently donated $50,000 to the program – help to ensure that the program continues to enrich the education of Atlanta’s children beyond the classroom.
“Research shows that most Americans are aware of the vital role that the arts play in providing a well-rounded education,” said Camille Love, Cultural Affairs director. “Atlanta teachers definitely see the benefit of this program based on the reaction of the students, and the materials supplied by the venues, which are designed to incorporate the cultural experience into the curriculum.”
All donations to the Cultural Experience Project are tax-deductible. For more information, visit www.ocaatlanta.com
The Cultural Experience Project provides every Atlanta Public School student with a free, onsite cultural experience each year they are in the school system. |
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EarthLink Chosen to Build City-wide Wireless Network
Atlanta will soon join the ranks of major municipalities across the country that have embraced wireless fidelity with the recent selection of EarthLink to build, own and operate a citywide wireless network.
The Atlanta-based Internet service provider was selected by a team of City employees and external technical experts. EarthLink was evaluated on the basis of their technical approach, value for City government and residents, and experience in partnering with other municipalities, among other things. A contract is pending on final negotiations between the City and EarthLink and Atlanta City Council approval.
Wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, allows Wi-Fi enabled computers, cell phones and PDAs to connect to the Internet without using a traditional connection. Per the agreement, EarthLink will provide affordable, high-speed access to all residents, businesses and visitors inside the City of Atlanta limits, an area that covers approximately 132 miles.
EarthLink's system will enable multiple providers to offer their services to consumers. For small businesses, Atlanta's wireless network will provide an alternative for broadband connectivity, such as an affordable wireless T-1 solution. The City and EarthLink will also partner to provide discounted Internet access to qualifying residents.
Updates on the Atlanta Wireless Project will be featured in City Newsbytes and at www.atlantaga.gov
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Atlanta Workforce Development Agency Closes Digital Divide with “Beehive”
The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) has announced two new partnerships that will help to close the digital divide and bring online job resources to low-income families.
AWDA now offers Beehive-Atlanta at its headquarters at 818 Pollard Street, Atlanta, 30315. Beehive is a multi-lingual web portal that, among other things, provides career tools to economically-disadvantaged families. The integrated portal serves as a single online destination where individuals learn how to navigate Web technology and match their skills with jobs available on Monster.com. Beehive also offers a career coach, updated job postings, and tips for starting a business.
AWDA has also partnered with BeehiveATL.org and Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. to utilize AWDA’s Cyber Bus to tour low-income neighborhoods. The Cyber Bus is outfitted with state-of-the-art computers and wireless internet access. Residents can board the Cyber Bus and access Monster’s online job announcements and post resumes. Residents can also E-file their taxes for free on the Cyber Bus using Beehive’s tax-filing tool.
Beehive-Atlanta is a collaboration between One Economy, a nonprofit that brings technology into the homes of low-income families; Monster.com; and AWDA. All Atlanta residents can benefit from BeehiveATL.org services which allow individuals to fill out pre-applications to AWDA, post a resume to Monster.com, find childcare and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) information and more.
For more information, visit www.beehiveatl.org For more information on AWDA, visit www.atlantaworkforce.org
AWDA client Kristen Bibb won a brand new Dell laptop raffled off by Monster.com during the launch of the beehive website. The laptop is presented to Ms. Bibb by the Chief Diversity Officer of Monster.com, Steve Pemberton and the Vice President of the East Region for One economy, David Jackson.
Beehive partners and supporters include: (l-r) Steve Pemberton, Chief Diversity Officer at Monster; Deborah Lum, Executive Director of Atlanta Workforce Development Agency; Atlanta City Councilwoman Joyce Shepard (District 12); David Jackson, Vice President of the East Region for One Economy; and Brian Farley, Vice President of Communications for AMB Group, LLC. |
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Grant Will Help to Develop Strategic Transportation Plan for City
Atlanta’s Bureau of Planning will receive $1 million in federal funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to create long-term transportation development initiatives for the city.
The grant, which required a $250,000 funding match by the City, will be used to develop the City of Atlanta’s first Master Transportation Plan, which will help to responsibly manage the city’s growth. The plan will focus on transit systems, bike trails, roadways and other transportation-related systems. The City will also make suggestions for improving Atlanta’s existing transportation network.
The Master Transportation Plan will become apart of an overall Comprehensive Development Plan. The Comprehensive Development Plan is the City’s long-term approach to addressing future growth, land use, economic development, housing and the expenditure of public funds.
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Mayor Shirley Franklin and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) officials recently welcomed a new Georgia Lottery kiosk in the main terminal of the world’s busiest airport. Proceeds from Georgia Lottery sales are used to fund pre-k programs and educational scholarships. Click here to go to Video on Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch the news conference.
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Rave Reviews!
- The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Center (VITA) at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) is currently providing free Income Tax preparation and electronic filing for eligible Atlanta residents. Filers receive assistance with their taxes from IRS-certified tax preparers with 100 percent confidentiality. To qualify, individual incomes must be less than $39,000 annually. Filers should bring a photo ID, a W-2 form for all jobs held during the 2006 tax year, 1099 forms for other types of income, childcare provider’s name, address, ID or SSN and the amount paid for services, and bank account and routing numbers. If filing with a spouse, he/she must be present.
Harry Nixon received free tax preparation services from a certified tax preparer at AWDA’s VITA center. Said Nixon about the service: “I came to pick up some tax forms and found out that I could have an IRS-certified representative file my taxes for free here. I really appreciate the service I have received.” |
- Mayor Shirley Franklin was recently named president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors (NCDM). As president of NCDM, Mayor Franklin will forge partnerships with democratic governors and members of Congress to advance policies that rebuild and reinvest in some of the nation’s largest cities. “I look forward to working hand-in-hand with the country’s leading mayors and elected officials as we continue to seek and promote innovative solutions to developing stronger, safer and thriving American cities,” said Mayor Franklin.
- Mayor Shirley Franklin received the “President's Award for National Mayoral Leadership” from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for her central role in bringing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection to Atlanta. For more information on the acquisition of the King Collection, visit here.
- Atlanta Chief Financial Officer Janice Davis was honored among the city’s visionary leaders by Atlanta Woman Magazine. Davis was recognized as one of Atlanta Woman Magazine’s 2007 Power Women. In addition to overseeing the City’s financial functions, Davis also serves on the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Davis joined 24 other prominent Atlanta women from diverse professional backgrounds.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- From January 29 thru the end of February, the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) will be working on the Piedmont Road Sewer Capacity Improvement Project. During this time, Piedmont Road will be limited to two southbound lanes and one northbound lane. No left turns will be allowed. All businesses will remain open and accessible. Motorists are urged to avoid the area if possible, using alternate routes, public transit and carpools and tele-working. For more information about Clean Water Atlanta projects, visit www.cleanwateratlanta.org.
- MARTA has added a new stop at the Atlanta History Center so that more Atlantans can visit the "I Have a Dream: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection." Route 38 from MARTA's Lindbergh Rail Station runs hourly Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. to the History Center via Pharr Road, Slaton Drive and East Andrews Drive. For more information, please visit www.itsmarta.com or call 404-848-5000. Information about the exhibit is available at www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com or by calling 404-814-4000.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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