Atlanta Continues to Serve as a Link for Katrina Evacuees
Last Wednesday - August 29, 2007 – marked the second anniversary of the day Hurricane Katrina hit the Southern Gulf Shores.
Immediately following the announcement of the storm, Mayor Shirley Franklin hosted a news conference with the City’s Fire, Police and Emergency Response departments; faith-based and community service organizations; and the Red Cross. Mayor Franklin sent a clear message to the thousands of evacuees already making their way to safe shelter in Atlanta that the city would welcome them with open arms. Click here to read City of Atlanta Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts.
Two years later, the City is still assisting residents and Katrina evacuees. New and current residents in need of on-the-job training are encouraged to visit the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) for more information on the National Emergency Grant available for career development.
“Atlanta has been a welcoming place for Gulf Coast evacuees, many of whom have ongoing unmet needs,” said Jennifer Moore, counselor, AWDA Katrina Re-integration Program. “Many of them – like our Atlanta clients - were struggling before Katrina. The difference is that they were uprooted from their families, communities and resources. We must continue to embrace them.”
AWDA served as a one-stop-shop immediately following the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Evacuees picked up clothes, food, toiletry items and more from its headquarters at 818 Pollard Street, Atlanta, 30303 |
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Louise Tucker: Katrina Evacuee Begins Anew in Atlanta
Louise Tucker left New Orleans with 21 family members in tow on August 28, 2005 - the day before Hurricane Katrina hit the Big Easy – seeking refuge at her brother’s Atlanta home.
In the two years since, Louise’s life has taken drastic turns. While some of her family returned to New Orleans, Louise has found permanent and fulfilling work through the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) Katrina Re-Integration Program.
Shortly after arriving in Atlanta, Louise visited AWDA, where she received emergency living assistance. Grateful for their support, Louise eventually became a resource for other evacuees, directing them to AWDA for support and encouragement.
Last March, Louise entered AWDA’s Katrina Re-integration Program to develop a career plan. Louise was assigned to complete on-the-job training with the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) department and the Department of Watershed Management (DWM).
Louise is now working full-time as a supervisor with Quality Maintenance, a job she found at AWDA’s weekly career fair. One of her primary responsibilities is to recruit staff for the company as a representative at the AWDA career fair.
“Louise has definitely demonstrated the resiliency of the human spirit to persevere under difficult circumstances,” said Jennifer Moore, counselor, AWDA Re-Integration Program. “Two years ago, she was sitting on the opposite side of the interview table. Now she is interviewing candidates and helping others in need, just as she once was.”
Louise Tucker (right) and Jennifer Moore (left) at an AWDA Career Fair. Tucker earned her position as a recruiter for Quality Maintenance at a previous AWDA career fair following her move to Atlanta from the Gulf Coast. |
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“Green” Boundless Playground Opens at Piedmont Park
On Saturday, the City of Atlanta, Piedmont Park Conservancy and WSB-TV joined community residents for the opening of the Mayor’s Grove Boundless Playground™ and LEED-designed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) restroom at Piedmont Park.
In addition to featuring outdoor equipment that allows children of all capabilities to play together, Mayor’s Grove Playground was constructed using “green” materials that promote healthy play and sustainability. Recycled concrete was used for the playground base - instead of gravel – and all hardware from the old playground was recycled.
Mayor’s Grove will also be home of the City’s first solar-powered restroom facility, a sustainable infrastructure initiative outlined in the Piedmont Park Conservancy master plan. The new restrooms include occupancy sensors for lighting and heat control, low water use fixtures for sinks and toilets, natural daylight interior and minimal heating design features.
Mayor’s Grove is the City’s second boundless playground. In 2006, Coan Park became the city’s first playground designed specifically for children of all physical abilities. For more information on the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department, visit www.atlantaga.gov.
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Atlanta Rapidly Becoming an International City of Acclaim
More and more nations are recognizing the unique business and best-practice sharing opportunities available in Atlanta, and are looking to the city as a partner for progress.
Tomorrow the city will host the second annual meeting of the Global Leadership Initiative on Gender Equality. Mayor Shirley Franklin and program host CIFAL-Atlanta will join government, education and business leaders to share best practices on how local governments can promote gender equality across government functions, programs, and services through the development of comprehensive policies.
Below are excerpts from an interview with Claire McLeveighn, Director, External Affairs and International Relations, describing the city’s unique allure to global markets.
- Former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson once said that ‘Atlanta was poised to become the next great international city’. What is the city’s appeal?
Atlanta’s appeal is directly related to its world class airport, which serves numerous international destinations with daily flights; Hartsfield-Jackson’s cargo facilities, which enable companies to connect products with markets throughout the United States and the world quickly and easily; the City government’s tradition of partnering with the private sector, the relative ease of doing business in the city and the wealth of opportunity. While other major US cities are larger, better known globally, and have existed as international centers of commerce for a longer time than Atlanta, these markets are often perceived as saturated, which gives Atlanta a competitive edge.
- CIFAL Atlanta, co-host of the Gender Equality Conference, is the only North American affiliate of UNITAR (the United Nations Institute for Training and Research). Its presence in Atlanta demonstrates the global community’s faith in and reverence for Atlanta’s past, present and future.
UNITAR was drawn to Atlanta by the strong presence of international NGOs; the exceptional leadership demonstrated by Mayor Franklin; the City’s tradition of working closely with the private sector; the readily available resources for a training institute, such as our fine colleges and universities; and the comparative ease of establishing a new organization here. Additionally, the City’s legacy of supporting human and civil rights demonstrated its compatibility with United Nations goals.
- What type of programs does the City and CIFAL partner on?
The focus of CIFAL Atlanta is economic and social development, information technology, sustainable development and public-private partnerships. Currently, CIFAL Atlanta, Atlanta Beltline Inc., the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the Atlanta Sisters Cities Commission are working together to plan and implement a best practices program on urban transit and green space. All 18 of Atlanta’s sister cities will be invited, with an active student component.
- Under Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta has utilized public-private partnerships to successfully implement numerous large-scale projects. Is it this spirit of partnership that attracts the world’s attention?
Atlanta’s model of public-private partnerships has generated tremendous interest around the world and caused other cities to seek guidance from Atlanta. However, it is also recognized that these partnerships are possible because of the exemplary leadership of our Mayor Shirley Franklin. That type of leadership is transferable and applicable to numerous spheres, causing world organizations like UNITAR, World Leaders Forum and United Cities and Local Governments to become interested in Atlanta.
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Now that school’s back in session, parents may be wondering how to keep their children occupied after school. The City of Atlanta Bureau of Recreation has the answer in the City's After School Program (ASP). In ASP, young people get homework help, take advantage of recreation activities and participate in arts and crafts. Click here to go to our video on demand page where you can find out more about after school opportunities.
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Rave Reviews!
- Atlanta is the second “least expensive city” to operate a corporate headquarters, according to a new report from the Boyd Company Inc., a Princeton-based consulting firm. The report compared 30 major U.S. markets with regional populations of 2-million-plus that are home to concentrations of Fortune 500 companies. The report found New York to be the most costly city, at $28 million annually. Only Las Vegas offered a better overhead bargain than Atlanta at $22 million per year. Atlanta’s overhead costs totaled $22.4 million per year. The study's findings are good news for Atlanta, which ranks third in the nation among cities with the most Fortune 500 headquarters at 12. To read the full article, visit here.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Atlanta Reads 2007 will begin Saturday September 8 – Saturday September 15. Events include discussions with author Gloria Naylor, theatrical performances at the Alliance Theatre and Theatrical Outfit and book discussions at participating Borders Booksellers. For a detailed calendar of activities, visit here.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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