2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Valley Manor Residents Council, Inc.

Valley Manor Residents Create Council to Improve their Community

Pine Grove. Valley Manor Residents Council, Inc., was formed by residents of the Valley Manor Apartments to empower residents to assume an active role in improving the quality of life within their community. The council focuses on the individual and collective goals of the apartment complex, providing activities for both children and adults. As a nonprofit organization, the council works with local business partners, raising funds for community-enhancement services. Educational programs, welfare-to-work and GED preparatory training, job training and placement services help adults in the community further their academic and professional goals. Activities planned and funded through the council have included a free family picnic, a Thanksgiving dinner that was free to the elderly and only $2 for family members, and a Christmas party and toy collection for underprivileged children. Funds raised by the council also have helped families purchase essential items, such as eyeglasses and medicine for children.

Contact: Valley Manor Residents Council, Inc., Phone: (304) 889-2782
Tracking Number: 831
Winning Category: Program (Multifamily Housing)

Best Practice: YWCA Transitional Housing Project

YWCA Transitional Housing Project Provides Homes for Homeless Women and Children

Charleston. The YWCA Transitional Housing Project in Charleston, WV, provides affordable apartments and supportive services to homeless and battered women and children. It features 10 renovated apartments, including four studio apartments, four one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments in what was once an abandoned building. Residents may stay up to 24 months. They receive a variety of supportive services to help them become self-sufficient, such as case management, adult education, budgeting guidance, job training, parenting education and other services identified by the residents and case manager. Each woman contributes one-third of her income toward rent. The project is partly funded by an innovative partnership with two retail stores located adjacent to the apartments, which are also a part of the project. As a result, revenue from Past n’ Present, a used clothing store and gift shop, and Perkin’ Up, a gourmet coffee shop, support the housing development. The YWCA hired a manager to oversee the operation of both shops, and volunteers provide customer service and handle inventory tasks for the two operations. The financial support of numerous local partners makes this a successful community project.

Contact: Debby Weinstein, Phone: (304) 340-3555
Tracking Number: 1503
Winning Category: Geographical

Content Archived: April 20, 2011