HUD DESIGNATES MISSISSIPPI ENVISION CENTER IN MERIDIAN
Frank Berry Courts Community Center from Meridian Housing Authority is the first Mississippi EnVision Center selected to serve as a hub to help HUD-assisted households become self-sufficient

JACKSON, MS - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett today officially designated Frank Berry Courts Community Center, from the Meridian Housing Authority, as an EnVision Center. This designation serves as a critical component of Secretary Ben Carson's signature EnVision Center initiative to offer a more holistic housing approach by connecting HUD-assisted families with the tools they need.

"As we work to develop platforms to help more families become self-sufficient, public-private partnerships are pivotal to access supportive services they so desperately need," said HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett. "Frank Berry Courts embraces Secretary Carson's vision of hope and opportunity, and HUD's commitment to strong, sustainable, inclusive communities."

Following a highly competitive selection process, the Housing Authority of Meridian was selected to spearhead the EnVision Center initiative in Meridian. The designation is one of the newest of only 30 communities designated across the country as an EnVision Center, and the first in the state of Mississippi.

"We are extremely proud of the Meridian Housing Authority team. Their results and continued efforts to help the community are reflected in this designation, as one of few HUD EnVision Centers in the nation," said Mayor Percy Bland III. "Our community at large will continue to benefit from this recognition."

"As an organization committed to offer excellence in providing quality, affordable and superior customer service to all our families, this designation is a step forward in our daily affirmation for our mission to serve Meridian low-income families," said Ronald J. Turner, Sr. Executive Director of Meridian Housing Authority. "We have a vision to help bridge the gap our families face in training and health services and we are enthusiastic to move forward in offering new opportunities to help with their success."

Located on or near public housing developments, EnVision Centers are centralized hubs that serve as an incubator to support four key pillars of self-sufficiency— (1) Economic Empowerment, (2) Educational Advancement, (3) Health and Wellness, and (4) Character and Leadership.

In Meridian, partnerships with key local organizations such as the Meridian Public-School District, Meridian Community College, the local branch of Mississippi State University, as well as the Greater Meridian Health Clinic Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi, Boy Scouts of America, the Meridian Freedom Project, Mt Olive MBC and several faith-based organizations will assist in providing job and academic training, wellness services and character building to the Meridian youth and families striving to reach self-sufficiency.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

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