October 20, 2005 the Atlanta Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development participated in a "Building and Connecting Communities: A Framework for Success" at the 2005 Vision Builders National Conference in Augusta, Georgia. The Conference theme focused on community self-sufficiency and the mission to educate, empower, and equip the community to become self-sufficient. The event was held at Beulah Grove Baptist Church where Dr. Sam Davis, is the presiding Pastor.

L-R: HUD Atlanta RD Bob Young, HUD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jo Baylor, Commissioner (Rev.) Bobby Hankerson

The conference brought together experts from at least ten different entities from healthcare, government, churches, community development and labor. Also, in attendance were Commissioner (Rev.) Bobby Hankerson and Interim Deputy Administrator, Tameka Allen. The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management, A. Jo Baylor from Headquarters.

Assistant Deputy Secretary Baylor brought greetings from Secretary Alphonso Jackson where she addressed an audience of over 200 participants from various denominations and community organizations. Assistant Deputy Secretary Baylor praised the great work that the faith-based and community organizations are doing to assist the Hurricane Katrina/Rita Evacuees. She told those gathered that their federal government looks forward to partnering with them so that they can continue to assist those in need. The crowd applauded the Assistant Deputy Secretary when she announced the over 545 million dollars that HUD alone had given to FBCO's in 2005. That is an increase of 23% in funding to the emerging organizations.

The former Mayor of Augusta - Richmond County and now Regional Director for the Atlanta Region, Bob Young introduced the keynote speaker. Other HUD Staff attending the conference included Michael German, ICH Coordinator for Region IV and Teresa J. Chappell the Regional Liaison for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

L-R: Teresa Chappell, Atlanta Region Faith Based Coordinator, Commissioner (Rev.) Bobby Hankerson, Miss Tameka Allen, Interim Deputy Administrator, HUD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jo Baylor, HUD Atlanta RD Bob Young

L-R: Miss Tameka Allen, Interim Deputy Administrator, HUD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jo Baylor, HUD Atlanta RD Bob Young