Roll into Atlanta and Roll Up Your Sleeves
As you begin making plans for the upcoming Global Summit in Atlanta, consider arriving a few days earlier to help kickoff the latest Community Reinvestment Challenge project: helping senior citizens restore their homes in eastern Atlanta. These homeowners, once hardworking, now are on a fixed income and have hit hard times. Facing increased property taxes, they are in dire need of your help and hard work for home improvements. The entire area is experiencing a transformation that is simply a new playground, some paint jobs and a few roofing projects away from the perfect, happy ending. We can see that happy ending come true.

East Lake Community: From Vietnam to a Village
Anyone familiar with Atlanta neighborhoods in the 1990's and earlier could attest that East Lake was probably one of the worst. Called "Little Vietnam" because of the amount violent crimes, poverty, high pregnancy rate and utter hopelessness, East Lake was not an area anyone wanted to drive through, much less try to save. With a $35 million dollar drug trade as their only connection to the outside world, the residents of the area were caught in the vicious cycle of destitution and in need of a miracle.

The miracle came to East Lake in two strong forces: Tom Cousins and Renee Glover. In the early 1990's, Tom Cousins decided to invest money and time into one philanthropic project instead of scattering it around, and had his eye set on breaking the cycle of poverty in East Lake. At the same time, Renee Glover stepped up as CEO of Housing Authority, which ran the housing project in the area. Cousins and Glover's revitalization plans and timing coincided. Not only did they work together, learning to trust each other, but also worked to gain the trust and support of a reluctant community. Scared that rich outsiders were going to take over the only place they could call home, many residents strongly protested.

Nevertheless, a plan was put in place. The existing housing project, East Lake Meadows, would be demolished, and in its place would be a fresh-faced community, with bold new ideas: East Lake Village. Half of the new apartments would remain low-income housing, controlled by Housing Authority, while the other half would sell at market price. Mixed income housing was an innovative idea, at that time, and has proved to be an absolute success. But these beautiful new apartments on a secure, well-manicured campus were just the beginning of the neighborhood renovation.

Creating a Contemporary Community
The community would require more than just houses to attract and encourage people to come to East Lake. Top quality life infrastructure had never been a part of the neighborhood and that needed to change. The Charles R. Drew Charter School was a good start. Now listed as an amenity of the area, the school operates on slightly different terms than other Atlanta public schools with longer school days and a unique curriculum. Where a once windowless school stood with teachers hesitant to come teach, much less teach what they deemed to be hopeless students, now stands a prominent building with only positive connotations.

Perhaps the most novel aspect of the school is the YMCA that is directly attached to it. The family-oriented YMCA serves as the school's gym and acts as a community center. People gather for meetings, planning committees and even weddings. A diverse center that brings people together over the elements that usually separates them: religion, race, income, and gender.

Cousins's plan did not end there. The dilapidated East Lake Country Club where golf legend Bobby Jones learned to play was restored to its previous pristine conditions. A large part of the club's member dues goes right back into helping fund the community project. Cousins also wanted to use golf as the focus in reversing the mindset of the youth. He constructed the Charlie Yates Golf Course on the grounds of East Lake commons, adding a golf course view for many of the residents, and instituted a golf academy for the children of the area.

Golf as a Guiding Force
Most people would not use golf as the saving grace for the youth of East Lake, but then again, most people are not Tom Cousins. Cousins created the Golf Academy, not to teach children how to play golf, but to instill values like integrity, discipline and perseverance. There would be larger life lessons taught, useful both on and off the green.

The Golf Academy has made quite a splash. Tiger Woods tee-ed off at the dedication and several aspiring East Lake golfers were showcased on the Disney Channel. Summer and year-round programs are keeping children busy and giving them a focus. Area teens employed there are earning money instead of roaming the streets and getting into trouble. Caddies and graduates from the Academy are also eligible for college scholarships, promoting a promising future for many.

Children are not the only ones who can take classes. New programs are helping residents turn their lives around. Through consumer management seminars, the adults of the area are learning various skills from balancing a checkbook to financing mortgage payments. With the progressive welfare program, everyone is out in the workforce, working to get their life back and get on their feet.

The Ripple Affect
The results of the well-developed plan are blossoming throughout the neighborhood. Crime has reached an all-time low, school achievement is sky high and the campus is just beautiful. Children are learning, parents are working and there is a community where there once was horrific violence. Most would write off the project as an absolute success, but unfortunately, success comes at a price.

For the homeowners in the East Lake area, the restoration of the area has made it a popular place to move. As the property value increases, property taxes increase as well. For senior citizens on fixed incomings, the idea that their home is a more valuable asset to them is not a blessing but a burden.

Get Ready to Get Dirty
What these people need is help and this is where CoreNet Global can lend a hand. From new roofs to a few coats of new paint, the elders of the area simply cannot afford the repairs necessary for them to enjoy the same quality of life they used to enjoy. For one resident who could not pay to have her sewage system fixed, the pipes simply emptied in her backyard. For others, it's a simple matter of returning value and pride to their property. Where overgrown lots sit vacant, a playground can be built as a safe place for children to play.

As part of the Corporate Reinvestment Challenge, CoreNet Global looks to raise $60,000 to assist candidates in restoring their home. Together, we can help reach out and give the residents their homes back to enjoy in their senior years.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to get dirty. Hands-on projects are in the plans for members. What a better way to network with fellow real estate executives than over weeding in an overgrown garden or repairing a sagging front porch? Paint brush in hand, members can get together, get to work, help the elderly of the East Lake neighborhood and make a difference.

East Lake Community Profiles

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