Woodlawn: A Community United for Holistic Revitalization
Woodlawn United was formed by seven local organizations in the spring of 2010 with the vision of a holistic revitalization of the Woodlawn neighborhood. Main Street Birmingham, the YWCA of Central Alabama, the Cornerstone School, Christ Health Center, Church of the Highlands’ Dream Center, the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association and the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation were charter members. Since then, the group has expanded to include an extensive network of organizations, businesses and individuals, all working together in a grassroots effort to advance Woodlawn in a more prosperous and healthy direction.
With the technical assistance and expertise of Purpose Built Communities, an Atlanta-based organization who transform struggling neighborhoods into vibrant and sustainable communities, a sustainable lead organization was formed to better utilize partner efforts and resources. The Woodlawn Foundation was created in 2010.
Sally Mackin, executive director of Woodlawn Foundation, says, “The foundation works to maintain the shared vision of Woodlawn United, to leverage financial resources to maximize public and private investment in the Woodlawn community, and to capitalize on the resources available from the Purpose Built network.”
Mackin explains the four defined tracks of holistic community revitalization currently being implemented throughout the Woodlawn community: (1) a first-class education system with a clear “cradle-to-college-to-career” pipeline; (2) mixed-income housing to eliminate the concentration of poverty; (3) economic development to ensure a vibrant commercial district; and (4) a reliable network of family and community support services and facilities to enhance the overall quality of life of the residents in the community.
A current example of a reliable network and support system within the Woodlawn community is the development of the Oak Ridge Park community garden and neighborhood park.
“We are creating this garden and park as a way to improve the atmosphere in the neighborhood,” says Woodlawn Neighborhood President and Oak Ridge Park resident Bertha Nettles-Jones. “These places will give residents opportunities to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities.”
Located on the corner of 64th Place South and 6th Avenue South, the City has already plowed the land for the garden and Woodlawn United will assist in planting. The group plans to use the proceeds from sales of their harvest to fund supplies for future operations of the garden. Jones adds, “Sally (Mackin) has really worked hard to include the whole neighborhood of Woodlawn, and she works hard to ensure the beautification process is being carried out, inclusively.”
- The ribbon cutting on the YWCA’s new Family Resource Center, 100 59th Street, which includes community meeting space and a teaching kitchen made possible by contributions from Alabama Power.
- The $4.6 million renovation, due for completion in 2011, of the Cornerstone School and the rebuilt Woodlawn United Methodist Church.
- 58 new affordable housing units managed by the YWCA
- Woodlawn Foundation’s acquisition of key residential properties with plans for additional affordable market-rate housing options to complement and build on the YWCA’s housing initiative.
- Main Street Birmingham’s renovation of a half block in Woodlawn to create 55th Place Arts, an incubator for artists and art-related businesses.
- The purchase and reimagining of strategic commercial properties, while creating a Woodlawn business development plan and working with several interested organizations and companies to open in or relocate to Woodlawn’s core commercial district. One such organization is the Desert Island Supply Co., a nonprofit creative writing program for kids, which has begun renovating a tutoring and retail space on the first floor of Woodlawn’s historic Woodrow Hall.
- The Church of the Highlands continues its popular SERVE Days, working with Woodlawn residents on community gardening and neighborhood beautification projects. Church members are also working on the Tree of Life Urban Garden/Co-op, a small community-owned grocery concept.
- The Woodlawn Summer Academy, an enrichment program for rising 9th graders at Woodlawn High School that focuses on journalism and creative writing.
- The Woodlawn High School Coalition, which was created by Woodlawn United board member Myeisha Hutchinson to mentor and tutor students at the school.
- Woodlawn United teams are working with the merchants association and the neighborhood associations on a beautification project along 1st Avenue North in Woodlawn’s business district.
Related posts:
[...] house and, as you know, I’m fascinated with the potential that rests in that community. (Jump here for the story of Woodlawn United. You’ll be easily convinced that great things are [...]