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2000 Best Practice Awards
Program and Geographical Winners: West Virginia
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
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Content Archived: April 20, 2011 |