Seven Columbus ‘On The Table’ project ideas are becoming a reality. Take a look at the plans
More community improvement project ideas connected to On the Table conversations have won thousands of dollars in grants to make them a reality.
The Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley announced Wednesday a total of $13,000 will be invested in these seven efforts out of the 14 applicants:
- $2,000 to Domestic Violence Roundtable for two days of training about family violence for any law enforcement officer from Muscogee, Harris, Chattahoochee, Talbot, Marion and Taylor counties.
- $2,000 to East Alabama Chamber Foundation for Bugs on Broad, a community arts program involving collaboration between elementary school students and professional artists.
- $2,000 to Enrichment Services Program for Grow Your Imagination, a camp for disadvantaged preschool children to learn about the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) as they transition to kindergarten.
- $2,000 to the Housing Authority of Phenix City for Doing While Planning, a neighborhood improvement project, including artwork, landscaping, hardscaping, play area, trees and irrigated sod, to be installed while the Frederick Douglass/Five Points transformation plan is developed.
- $2,000 to MidTown Inc. for MidTown Unity Classic, a basketball game being organized to bring residents and police together and foster better relationships.
- $2,000 to Turn Around Columbus for Breaking Bread, Telling the Story, Spreading the Word, a series of three dinner discussions between opposites, such as old and young, rich and poor, white and people of color, to make more meaningful connections.
- $1,000 to Blessings Three65 for the Girl Power Project, biweekly workshops focusing on boosting girls’ self-esteem.
“We’re inspired by the passion and innovative ideas seen in these organizations from throughout the Chattahoochee Valley,” Betsy Covington, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a news release.
Results from the CFCV’s 2019 On the Table survey also were released. They are available on the website. Among the highlights:
Strong majorities agree that their community is “the perfect place” for them (82%), that residents have shared goals and priorities (76%), that their community provides opportunities for everyone (65%) and that their community is more united than divided (65%).
Strong majorities also feel more hopeful than worried about the future (76%) and that their community will be a better place to live in five years (71%).
But these perceptions vary by race and location. For example, while 72% of white participants view their community as united, 54% of participants of color agreed, and only 48% of south Columbus residents agreed.
The 2019 On the Table event Oct. 22 was the third year the CFCV coordinated the hundreds of tables serving a meal to approximately 6,000 participants engaging in community conversations. The program is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 12:26 PM.
