The women will share their stories as members of a panel discussion during an event sponsored by Lighthouse Communities' Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative and Grand Valley State University's Womens Center. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18, from 6-8 p.m. in Loosemore Auditorium of GVSU's DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids. Mayor George Heartwell will present diplomas to the women as they graduate from a year-long leadership program, sponsored by Lighthouse Communities.
Two Grand Valley alumnae, who work for Americorps, coordinated the project. Kaytie Robinson, a 2004 graduate, said the initiative's goal is to "develop communities from the inside." Robinson and Olivia Peters have been working in the neighborhoods for two years. By training these seven women leaders, Robinson said, Baxter and Garfield Park will continue to flourish.
"We've worked on things like beautification, large-scale plantings and block parties," Robinson said. Other aspects of training covered fund developing, media training, public speaking, using city resources and resolving conflicts.
It's coincidental that all seven are women, Robinson said, although most households in the Baxter neighborhood are headed by women. "There are men who are involved and are leaders," Robinson said. "In fact, one of the men we asked to be involved wanted his wife to do it."
One of the seven leaders, Cynthia Deans, said participating in the program aided her leadership skills.
"The whole program has really made me grow with helping my neighbors out, being a listening ear, really working hard to keep my neighborhood up," she said. "This has been a learning experience. When I have more people encouraging me, it enables me to be strong and know that I can do this."
Media note: Robinson can be reached by calling 616-340-4996, or via e-mail at [email protected]
