Partnership Created To Lead Next Phase of Civil and Human Rights Center
Last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin announced the formation of a new public-private partnership to spearhead the creation of a Center for Civil and Human Rights (CCHR).
The CCHR Partnership will carry out plans for the new center that are consistent with the 2006 report released by the CCHR Working Group. Mayor Franklin established the Working Group – comprised of education, business, community and civil rights leaders – to identify the Center’s early framework.
The new partnership will also take the lead in fundraising, developing an employee system and programming. In its first official act, the Partnership has appointed Doug Shipman as its executive director. Shipman, a senior manager with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and member of the Working Group, will take a leave of absence from BCG to spearhead the Partnership’s efforts.
Other partners already involved with the partnership include the Atlanta Development Authority and the Central Atlanta Progress. "This project will stimulate economic growth across the state and build on the city of Atlanta’s broad range of cultural and educational offerings,” said Mayor Franklin.
To view the Working Group Report, or for more information on the Center for Civil and Human Rights, visit here.
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Atlanta Among the Recipients of $9.4 Million HUD Grant to Support Homeless Programs
Today, the City of Atlanta, along with Fulton and Dekalb Counties, received approximately $9.4 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support metro-Atlanta homeless outreach programs.
The Atlanta-area funding is part of nearly $28 million awarded throughout Georgia. This is an increase of more than $2.3 million over HUD grants supplied last year.
The City of Atlanta and Fulton and Dekalb Counties are partners in a tri-jurisdiction “Continuum of Care.” Continuum of Care programs provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons across the region as well as help to fund job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care services.
Eradicating chronic homelessness is a top priority of the Franklin administration. In 2003, Mayor Shirley Franklin commissioned a group of public-private partners that crossed jurisdictions and party lines to create a plan to end chronic homelessness. The Regional Commission on Homelessness created the “Blueprint to End Homelessness in 10 Years.” At the recommendation of the Commission, in 2005, the 24/7 Gateway Center opened as a homeless assessment center to provide transitional services for homeless men, women and children.
The Commission has also raised approximately $42 million to support the Blueprint. These funds, which come from private donors and the Homeless Opportunity Funds program passed in 2005 by Atlanta City Council, support homeless programs, provide transitional housing and emergency shelters. Click here to view the commission’s three-year report.
“These grants will help support the needs of those in our community who need help in restoring their lives and their spirits,” said Mayor Franklin. “We have been vigilant in our efforts to work collaboratively with our regional neighbors to end chronic homelessness and this funding continues to give us hope we may reach that goal.”
Mayor Shirley Franklin (center) joins the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and representatives from Fulton and Dekalb Counties to accept a $9.4 million check to support metro area homeless programs. Atlanta is a partner with Fulton and Dekalb Counties in the "Continuum of Care," a tri-jurisdiction program that provides transitional resources to the region's homeless residents. |
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Parks Department Upgrades Atlanta Ball Fields
Beginning this month, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) will renovate 45 City of Atlanta ball fields as part of the City's comprehensive parks and greenspace enhancement program.
This is the first time a major commitment has been made to upgrade the ball fields, which are critical to the department’s youth and adult programs. The new fields will be irrigated for the first time ever, while some will be seeded and sodded for beautification. For a detailed list of ball field closing and re-open dates, please visit here.
DPRCA met with all Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Units (NPU) in advance of closings. While some recreation may be restricted, the department will still host a 2007 Football Season. In addition, there will be several non-traditional athletic programs including indoor soccer, co-ed volleyball, indoor tennis and golf programs.
All renovations are being funded through the $105 million Parks and Greenspace Opportunity Bond, passed in 2005 by the Atlanta City Council. This opportunity bond is being used to fund construction and improvements to existing park facilities, tennis and basketball court resurfacing and repairs, recreation center improvements, park signs and greenspace acquisitions, among other things.
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Sponsorships Are Available for Atlanta Earth Day Celebration
Mayor Shirley Franklin encourages businesses, residents and other stakeholders to join the City in an all-important environmental initiative, Greener Atlanta, by participating in the first-ever, citywide Earth Day Celebration.
Greener Atlanta encompasses sound environmental programs that will improve the quality-of-life for residents and visitors for generations to come. To introduce the Greener Atlanta program, the City will present its first-ever citywide celebration of Earth Day – “Arms Around Atlanta.”
“Arms Around Atlanta” will be held on April 21 and 22. Volunteers are invited to help clean up right-of-ways around neighborhoods and parks located on or close to the proposed BeltLine. Following the clean-up activities, the largest gathering of Atlanta’s “green” companies will introduce residents to products and services that support environmental sustainability.
A sponsorship kick-off reception will be held on Wednesday, February 21 to learn more about the City of Atlanta Earth Day celebration. Sponsorship opportunities are available from $1,000 to $50,000. Based on the amount of litter, tires, and electronic waste collected, sponsorships will help to furnish local parks with benches, jogging tracks and other equipment – all made from recyclable materials.
To view the Arms Around Atlanta sponsorship package online, visit http://www.atlantaga.gov/mayor/greener_atlanta_102306.aspx. For more information about Greener Atlanta, visit here.
Arms Around Atlanta, Atlanta's first citywide Earth Day Celebration, is accepting sponsorships from Atlanta businesses, community groups, residents and others. Arms Around Atlanta will be held on April 21 and 22. |
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Hartsfield-Jackson to Debut New Restaurant and Retail Options
This spring, the world’s busiest airport will debut several new restaurants and other retail establishments to accommodate travelers on the go.
Travelers have come to enjoy a growing list of restaurants and retail establishments at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA). Last year, HJAIA debuted several new brands including Friedman's Shoe's, Panda Express, Caribou Coffee, McDonald's and Moe's Mexican Restaurant. Throughout the month of April, these new establishments will bring exciting new offerings to the mix.
- ExpressSpa on Concourse C. Part of a chain that specializes in airports, the spa will provide massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing.
- Philips Seafood Restaurant on Concourse D. Phillips features a menu of quality seafood, including daily fresh fish.
- TGI Friday's on Concourse E. The popular restaurant is known for a wide selection of food and beverages including many new healthy menu choices.
- Jakki Dee Salon in the Atrium. This full-service hair salon also provides services for eyebrows, eyelashes, offers glamour makeovers and sells make-up.
For more information about Hartsfield-Jackson, visit www.atlanta-airport.com.
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As the Woodruff Library at the Atlanta University Center celebrates its 25th anniversary, the institution receives a $ 1 million gift from Bank of America. The money will be used for renovations to the Archives and Special Collections reading room. Click here to go to Video on Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch the event.
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Rave Reviews!
- The Office of Motor Transport Services (MTS) recently hosted a Best Fleet Roundtable discussion that included fleet managers from municipalities and organizations throughout the south. During the roundtable, MTS presented a model that chronicled how they became a best-in-class fleet. Following the presentation, attendees were invited to tour the City of Atlanta’s award-winning facility. MTS was ranked 20th in the country for most efficient fleet operations by Fleet Equipment Magazine and was honored among the 100 Best Fleets in North America for two consecutive years.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- A BeltLine quarterly update meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 28 from 6 – 8 p.m. in City Hall's Old Council Chambers. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and City of Atlanta departments involved in the planning and implementation of the BeltLine Project will provide updates and answer questions. The Old Council Chambers at City Hall is located at 68 Mitchell Street, Atlanta, 30303.
- The Golden Age Clubs, a City of Atlanta program for senior residents, presents “Bridging the Generation Gap,” a Black History Month program, on February 22 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Pittman Recreation Center, 950 Gibraldi Street, Atlanta. This program, presented by the Pittman High Steppers and the Perkerson Uniques, is an open discussion between senior citizens and the younger generation. Senior citizens are encouraged to attend and provide insight on African Americans struggle during the early 1900’s; teenagers are encouraged to attend and discuss some of the struggles they currently face. For more information, call Joann Glass, 404.215.2824.
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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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