AVillage 2nd Annual Celebration of Progress

Our 2nd annual Celebration of Progress was hold on Feb 21, 2015 at Holiday Inn Downtown Albany. It was a beautiful night and a huge success for us.

Congratulations to all of the awardees who are dedicated themselves to make differences in our communities: The Coalition Standing Up for the South End against Big Oil and Big Railroads; Michael Jacobson, Chair of the Board of the new Albany County Land Bank; Benita Law-Diao, passionate advocate for the health of our community; The Youth of the South End for their work last summer.

Special thanks to our Honorary Committee Co-Chairs Congressman Paul D. Tonko and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and to those who contributed to AVillage, especially our Honorary Committee, so that we can move forward to make a better community. We also appreciated all people who came to the event to celebrate the progress at AVillage and in South End communities. Together we can make social changes!

Ps. Congressman Paul Tonko was dancing! Can you believe it!

View event program on our website:http://www.avillageworks.org/celebration-of-progress.html

AVillage Executive Director Willie White does M.L. King & Gospel song.

At AVillage 2nd Annual Celebration of ProgressPlease don't misrecognize our Executive Director, Mr. White with Mr. King, even though their passion and commitment are very much alike. (Video filmed and produced by George Law)

Posted by AVillage,Inc. on Friday, 27 February 2015

Free Zumba & Nutritions Classes in BACK!!

Our free Nutrition & Zumba workshop is back to Capital South Campus Center (CSCC)-Albany starting on every Saturday 10:30 am. Everyone is welcome to join us. Every attendees will receive a box of fresh vegetables!

Presented by AVillage,Inc. and The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center
Special Thanks to Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region and Grand Street Community Arts

South End Neighborhood Watch Started

Community members kicked off the new South End Neighborhood Watch Tuesday at the Six Blocks meeting at the Howe Library, with Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Common Council member Vivian Kornegay and Albany Police Chief Steven Krokoff as guests.


Mayor Sheehan reiterated her commitment to making Albany a great place to live, with safe neighborhoods throughout the city. Chief Krokoff complemented the new Neighborhood Watch leaders on their commitment, talked about how the watch program works with the Albany Police Department and led a lively question and answer session.

At last count, more than 15 people has signed on as Watch Leaders, and they are being equipped with information cards and training, as well as support as needed to make sure they can stay in touch.

 

This program started in the Six Blocks area around South Pearl and Broad Streets, but is spreading to many other blocks in the South End. Watch leaders will meet regularly and will be able to pass information on to the police and also to other city departments, or work through our two “beat cops".

Officer Ben Sturges, our longtime community engagement officer, is the person to contact if you want to see Neighborhood Watch on your street. You can reach him at (518) 542-1311, or bsturges@albany-ny.org.

City responded to AVillage's petition on Lincoln stairs

AVillage members first became aware of the dangerous condition of the stairs to the Lincoln Park Bowl during the first Mississippi Day celebration there in 2012. Over the next several years we wrote letters, talked to our elected officials and sent members to speak to the Albany City Council. On October 21, our voices were heard! 

In short, the city government promised that a new ramp and staircase connecting the Lincoln Park's roadways to the lower grassy bowl will be built next year. The park will then be more accessible to people with disabilities. More information on Times Union news Ramp to replace staircase reported by Jordan Carleo-Evangelist on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. 

However, it is too early to claim success. AVillage will continue to follow up on this issue and ensure the ramp and stairs will be constructed as residents’ needs.

Please feel free to email or call AVillage with any questions you may have, or any suggestions or ideas about how we can make our community a better place, together.

My Brother's Keeper

AVillage New Initiative is a long time coming but it's never too late to help our young brothers in their effort to become men of honor in their communities. This new initiative will need all of us to lend a helping hand. 

If you would like to get involved with AVillage and this great effort, please contact me and I will gladly give you more details as to how we can all make a difference in these young men lives. My number is 518-859-4305, email is avillage5@aol.com, thank you.

More information about My Brother's Keeper: http://mbkchallenge.org

Save the Ladder 1

Our Ladder Truck has been SAVED!!!~ Thank You Mayor Sheehan and the Common Council, Lead by Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin. Our Leaders are the Best!

AVillage's Weekly Meetings

AVillage's Weekly Meetings...Please Join Us Every Thursday From 5:30pm-7:30pm...It's exciting!!! Lot's of Great Planning. Where Your opinion matters. We have a new meeting location, we now meet at the new Capital South Campus Center, located at 20 Warren Street Room 302A

Hope to see you there! Today and every Thursday!