EAST LAKE FOUNDATION HOSTS TOUR OF ATLANTA’S EAST LAKE COMMUNITY FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS DURING THE 2011 GLENN INSTITUTE CONFERENCE
Event encourages civic engagement among students and faculty
The East Lake Foundation, in partnership with The Glenn Institute for Philanthropy and Service Learning at The Westminster Schools, hosts a tour of Atlanta’s East Lake community for more than 50 educational leaders from across the country to discuss innovative approaches in promoting active citizenship among students and faculty.
“We will explore how teachers, students and community members intentionally, effectively, and creatively prepare for citizenship in our local community and global society,” said William Clarkson IV, The Westminster Schools President.
The Glenn Institute’s Common Good Conference is an opportunity for influential leaders in education to come together to share ideas, discuss how their schools can engage in impactful philanthropic efforts while leveraging meaningful partnerships with local community agencies to enhance and strengthen the results of their work.
During the conference participants will tour East Lake, chosen because of its national recognition as an example of community revitalization enabled through effective private and public partnerships.
The East Lake Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was formed to spearhead the revitalization of East Lake Meadows – one of the nation’s most violent public housing projects. Working with residents as well as public and private partners, the Foundation’s holistic approach incorporating cradle-to-college education, safe and affordable housing and community wellness has given residents the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and making East Lake a safe neighborhood of choice for people of all ages and incomes.
“It was the intentional act of the founding Board members of the East Lake Foundation to leverage community support to rebuild the community. With their long-term commitment, our community partners have proven to be value assets in the transformation of East Lake,” said Madelyn R. Adams, East Lake Foundation Executive Director.
Today, the East Lake community includes The Villages of East Lake, a mixed-income apartment community; the Charles R. Drew Charter School, serving students age 3 through 8th grade; theEast Lake Family YMCA; the Sheltering Arms Early Learning and Family Center; the 18-hole, public Charlie Yates Golf Course, home to The First Tee® of East Lake; and Publix, the area’s first full service grocery store in more than forty years when it opened in 2001.
About the East Lake Foundation
Founded in 1995, the East Lake Foundation’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty in Atlanta’s East Lake community by providing tools that enable residents to build a better future through cradle-to-college education, safe and affordable housing, and community wellness. The East Lake approach has been proven to boost employment, reduce crime and improve educational outcomes. East Lake has become a model for holistic community revitalization programs across the country.
