On October 22, 2003, Spring Hill Apartments in Charleston had an event to reach out to their youngest residents. As the smiling children exited the school bus, they were welcomed to a fall fstival by the aroma of free hot dogs filling the air. Orange and black balloons blew in the wind as clowns circulated through the children painting their faces. The children participated in a pi�ata smashing, three-legged races, Jupiter Jump, and money in the haystack. Parents, after hearing the squeals of delight, were drawn into the scarecrow competition, with hay flying and rivalry in the air.

Peggy Ponsell, the on-site manager and the Charleston, WV HUD office staff organized this event for the estimated 500 children living at Spring Hill Apartments. Local community partners including faith-based groups, merchants, West Virginia State College, and the WV Appalachian High Intensity Drug Task Organization all helped to make the event a success. This is the second festival held this year, with an upcoming December winter festivity planned to include hot chocolate, decorations, and sleigh rides.

Not long ago, HUD identified Spring Hill as troubled property. Since then, with the guidance and support of local HUD officials, tenants have become more involved and are working closely with the new management staff. As relationships have improved, tenants became more active in helping to take care of the development.

This cooperation also led West Virginia State College to start a K-6 after school program that gives children a greater opportunity to be exposed to education, arts, and social skill development. Spring Hill Apartments recently applied for a CDBG grant to enhance and expand this program. They have also applied for funds to initiate a diabetes educational program and a pregnancy support group.

In just a couple years, the residents and management of Spring Hill Apartments managed to turn around a challenging situation and make a better place for everyone to live. HUD's Charleston office is pleased to have been able to help this community become stronger.