Last updated 03.24.2012
West End Beautification Project a Model for the Future
The West End Community continues to inspire. Over 80 volunteers spruced up the first four of twenty homes planned for a much needed facelift as part of the West End Revitalization's efforts.
The revitalization efforts mean more than just painting. It engages the entire community and inspires them with a new sense of pride and lifted spirits. The community has a new-found determination to ensure that the West End has a bright, vibrant, exciting and safe future. Residents are determined to bring back the West End's former glory and preserve its rich history and culture.
The West End Beautification and Revitalization Project is a model for many other communities in Louisiana.
"This is just the next step in the West End revitalization efforts," West End Neighborhood Association liaison Robbie Bethel said.
This is a true self-help model. Councilwoman Peggy Gerac expressed how important it is for residents to make improvements themselves.
What's next? Bethel says that they are now putting together a disaster crew to be on standby in emergency and disaster situations to assist elderly and disabled residents who cannot physically repair their homes.
The West End initiative was originally launched by Southern Mutual Help Association in partnership with the community, the city of New Iberia and donors to revitalize 700 acres of the historical African-American neighborhood. Since the initiative began over three years ago, hundreds of volunteers have been involved with millions of dollars invested.
The West End Redevelopment Initiative recently won the newly created Emerging Great Place award sponsored by AARP's Livable Communities Council, the Center for Planning Excellence and the Louisiana Lieutenant Governor's Office.
The revitalization efforts mean more than just painting. It engages the entire community and inspires them with a new sense of pride and lifted spirits. The community has a new-found determination to ensure that the West End has a bright, vibrant, exciting and safe future. Residents are determined to bring back the West End's former glory and preserve its rich history and culture.
The West End Beautification and Revitalization Project is a model for many other communities in Louisiana.
"This is just the next step in the West End revitalization efforts," West End Neighborhood Association liaison Robbie Bethel said.
This is a true self-help model. Councilwoman Peggy Gerac expressed how important it is for residents to make improvements themselves.
What's next? Bethel says that they are now putting together a disaster crew to be on standby in emergency and disaster situations to assist elderly and disabled residents who cannot physically repair their homes.
The West End initiative was originally launched by Southern Mutual Help Association in partnership with the community, the city of New Iberia and donors to revitalize 700 acres of the historical African-American neighborhood. Since the initiative began over three years ago, hundreds of volunteers have been involved with millions of dollars invested.
The West End Redevelopment Initiative recently won the newly created Emerging Great Place award sponsored by AARP's Livable Communities Council, the Center for Planning Excellence and the Louisiana Lieutenant Governor's Office.
For full story visit The Daily Iberian.