Students Explore College and Career Options at Successful Dream Jamboree
Thousands of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) high school students converged on the old Georgia National Convention Center last week for the City of Atlanta’s 24th annual Dream Jamboree college and career fair.
During the two-day event, approximately 6,800 students from all 10 APS high schools attended the morning and afternoon sessions. There were 131 booths for colleges, universities and technical schools; 15 booths for City of Atlanta departments and agencies; and five booths from the private sector, including the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP).
The Parent/Public Night on March 29 drew hundreds of parents and students from throughout the metro area. In addition to speaking with recruiters at Parent/Public Night, some attendees also had an opportunity to speak with Mayor Shirley Franklin. The Benjamin E. Mays High School Jazz Band performed during the mayor’s sponsors’ reception.
The success of public education programs like Dream Jamboree and “Next Step…the Atlanta Promise” support Mayor Franklin’s New Century Economic Development Plan (EDP). Under the EDP, the City pledges to increase the APS graduation rate to 72 percent by 2009.
“We want students, particularly underclassmen, to begin thinking about college and career options now,” said Bobbie Porche, director of the City of Atlanta Office of Constituent Services. “The turnout for this year’s event was fantastic and we will continue to offer our services to public school students as they make the critical decisions regarding their future.”
Mayor Shirley Franklin (left) joins Muhammad Dixon (center), a student at Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) Washington High School, and APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall (right) at the Dream Jamboree 2006 Parent/Public Night on March 29. Dixon created the Dream Jamboree 2006 logo.
Metro Atlanta parents and students speak with college and career recruiters at the Dream Jamboree Parent/Public Night.
Approximately 6,800 Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students attended Dream Jamboree 2006 at the Georgia National Convention Center in College Park. |
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City Receives Grant to Begin Redevelopment Plan for West Lake Area
The City of Atlanta received a $70,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program for a planning study that will address quality-of-life issues surrounding the West Lake MARTA Rail Station.
“The West Lake LCI will provide the City with the opportunity to put together a framework that will look at access to the MARTA station, redevelopment opportunities, and increasing affordable housing options in the immediate areas,” said Alice Wakefield, director of the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). “It also has the potential to transform the community into one that is pedestrian-friendly and accessible.”
West Lake is the eighth LCI study the City has worked on [click here for other LCI projects]. Additional funds for the planning study, in the amounts of $10,000 and $15,000, respectively, will come from DPCD and Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Jr. (District 3) whose jurisdiction includes the West Lake MARTA Rail Station.
The West Lake LCI planning study will last from June 5 through December 4, at which time the final plan will be put before the Atlanta City Council. If approved, DPCD will be eligible to apply for additional ARC funds to implement transportation and infrastructure projects related to the redevelopment. Details for community involvement will be announced soon to NPUs, neighborhood associations and other stakeholders.
The City of Atlanta received $70,000 from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Livable Cities Initiative (LCI) to develop a planning study of the area surrounding the West Lake MARTA Rail Station. |
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“Women Doing Business in the City of Atlanta 2006” Conference
The Atlanta Commission on Women (ACOW) and the City of Atlanta will partner to host “Women Doing Business in the City of Atlanta 2006” at the Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta on April 13.
Female entrepreneurs, business executives, and those who wish to learn more about contract opportunities throughout the city are invited to attend this third annual conference. In accordance with EEO and EBO program requirements, 17 percent of City of Atlanta contracts are awarded to female-owned businesses (FBEs). There are approximately 400 FBEs certified to do business with the City of Atlanta.
“This conference allows the female business community to know how important their businesses are to the City and how they can actively participate,” said Cathy Martin, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Atlanta. “It is surprising to learn that many businesses are not aware of our requirements. It is a win-win for the City and the female business community.”
Lynnette Young, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, will be the conference luncheon keynote speaker. Representatives from the City of Atlanta departments of Procurement, Finance, Law, Aviation and Watershed Management will provide expertise during workshops. Aviation and Watershed Management will discuss upcoming project opportunities at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) and throughout Atlanta, respectively.
Tickets are $55 in advance; $65 day of the event. To register, call 404.330.6071 or visit their website.
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Visually Impaired Instructor Teaches Art to Senior Residents
Participants in the City’s Office of Recreation senior programs division recently began a knitting class with a unique twist – their instructor is blind.
Through a collaboration with the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI), 59-year-old Annie Maxwell, who has been blind since birth, is leading an eight-week knitting class at the Zaban Recreation Center. Maxwell teaches seniors basic stitching techniques such as casting-on, purl, increases, decreases and binding.
Though she has been a regular participant in the City’s senior programs, it wasn’t until recently that City staff realized Maxwell could knit. During a Paralympics goal ball practice game at the Center, Nicole Horne, program director for Therapeutics and Senior programs, noticed Maxwell knitting on the sidelines. Horne approached her with the unique idea to teach one of the City’s seniors’ program classes.
“For the last forty years, knitting has been one of my favorite pastimes,” said Maxwell, who works as a recreation therapist for CVI. “I learned knitting at school where my teachers encouraged me and other visually impaired students to be as versatile as possible through the use of our hands.”
For more information about senior and therapeutic programs, call 404.817.6936 or visit their webpage.
Visually impaired instructor, Annie Maxwell (standing), teaches City of Atlanta Senior Program participant Earlene Hollis (seated) how to knit. Maxwell teaches a knitting class at the City’s Zaban Recreation Center in Southeast Atlanta. |
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Registration is open for Camp Best Friends, the City of Atlanta’s premier summer camp program. Managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA), this year’s program is titled “All About Atlanta” and will run from June 5 – July 28. Learn more about Camp Best Friends activities by clicking here.
This is just one of the many City of Atlanta videos on the new Video On Demand (VOD) page. Video clips include most programming you see on City Channel 26, like news conferences, groundbreakings and other events, as well as special programs that profile City departments and services.
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Rave Reviews!
- On Thursday, Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Police Department (APD) Chief Richard Pennington recognized 53 sworn employees during an APD pinning ceremony in City Hall’s Council Chambers. The pinning ceremony is APD’s formal recognition of outstanding individual achievement, which resulted in promotions and advanced appointments. Mayor Franklin offered the opening remarks at the ceremony. Honorees included one deputy chief; three majors; 11 lieutenants; 22 sergeants; 15 investigators; and one senior officer. “I take special pride and great pleasure in recognizing my officers who continually demonstrate exceptional leadership, dedication to duty and unquestionable competence,” said Chief Pennington.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In Atlanta, every day is an opening day at…the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum exhibit of “African American Presidents: The Founding Fathers of Liberia, 1848-1904” open now until May 21. Through oil paintings and photographs, this exhibition features the first ten presidents of Liberia and their challenge in creating a nation. For more information, visit the Carter website.
- The Office of Cultural Affairs is looking for volunteers for the 2006 Atlanta Jazz Festival. To become a “Jazzeteer,” complete an application at Atlanta Festivals website or for more information call 404.853.7248. The annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will run from May 1 - 31 in venues throughout metro Atlanta.
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Job Announcements
Each week, we will feature details of a position from the current City of Atlanta job vacancy list.
Featured Position: Information Technology Engineer
Applicants for this position must have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field and five years of progressively responsible experience in computer programming, database design, or system administration, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job.
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Weekly Features
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