COLUMBIA, SC – Columbia Community Development has been honored with the prestigious John Sasso Award at the National Community Development Conference held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This award recognizes the department’s outstanding efforts in promoting and celebrating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program during National Community Development Week from April 1 to 5.
National Community Development Week serves as a crucial opportunity for various stakeholders, including grantees, sub-recipients, beneficiaries, local partners, and community members, to come together and showcase the diverse projects funded by these programs. It also offers a platform for the Columbia Community Development Department to educate the public on the importance and impact of CDBG and HOME programs in the community.
Key Activities Initiated by the City:
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Proclamation Presentation at City Council Meeting:
- The week-long celebration kicked off with the presentation of a National Community Development Week Proclamation at the City of Columbia Council meeting on March 19. This proclamation highlighted the significance of community development and set the stage for the events to follow.
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Press Conference at Hyatt Park:
- On April 1, a press conference at Hyatt Park officially launched National Community Development Week. The event underscored the goals of the CDBG and HOME programs and highlighted their achievements in Columbia.
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Day of Service at Riverfront Park:
- On April 2, a collaborative Day of Service was held at Riverfront Park. Volunteers from Richland County Community Development and Columbia International University joined forces to weed, plant flowers, and refurbish benches. This day of service emphasized the importance of community engagement and beautification efforts.
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CDBG 50th Anniversary Celebration:
- On April 4, Columbia marked the 50th anniversary of the CDBG program with a celebration and banquet hosted by the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods. The event featured keynote speeches from prominent figures, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD Demetria McCain, former Mayor Bob Coble, current Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, and Councilwoman Tina Herbert. The celebration recognized the significant contributions of the CDBG program to local communities over the past five decades.
Pictured left to right are David Bachrach, Treasurer of NCDA Board of Directors, Vickie Watson, Executive Director of NCDA. Dollie Herron, Community Development Admin. for City of Columbia, Felicia Kilgore, Community Development Director for City of Columbia, Charmaine Clark, Program Manager for City of Columbia, Delores Shabazz, Program Manager for City of Columbia, Angela Rahman, NCDA Board of Director Member, Marcy Esbjerg, President of NCDA Board of Directors, Sharletta Best, Former President, NCDA Board of Directors
