Community Programs

RRC conducts community building initiatives that build the capacity and leadership of residents. RRC has a full time Community Outreach Coordinator who reaches out to residents, identifies and supports potential leaders, connects residents to resources and to each other and encourages the completion of projects that strengthen community. Some recent community building activities are described below.

R’town Youth Work Program

RRC leads a youth team that engages youth in positive community development projects, such as: senior citizen yard care, litter pickup in common areas, maintaining community gardens, and assisting with events.  The youth have worked hand-in-hand with the Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League (RCIL) on events such as the Wheelbarrow Festival and the Tire Round Up.  While the youth are learning job skills and discipline, they are also participating in RRC’s youth empowerment workshops where they learn about savings, budgeting and basic money management.  Providing the youth with these positive opportunities not only prevents them from being tempted by criminal activity, but it also builds relationships between the youth and their adult neighbors – creating community support and accountability for the youth.  The participating youth are also required to participate in RRC's Youth Empowerment Workshops, where they learn about budgeting, saving, entrepreneurship, public speaking, etc.

Wylie Street Safety and Beautification

RRC is working with the RCIL Safety Committee and residents along Wylie Street to make improvements, with a focus on the area closes to Moreland Avenue.  The effort was kicked off by measuring current conditions, using a participatory evaluation tool called Success Measures.  This was followed by a block party, where the results were shared with residents, neighbors got to know each other, and future projects were discussed.  An intense beautification and safety effort is being conducted, after which there will be measurement of results.

Partnership with Atlanta Micro Fund

RRC partners with the Atlanta Micro Fund on services to start-up and existing businesses. The Atlanta Micro Fund provides financing and business development assistance to businesses that are typically excluded from mainstream sources of financing.  RRC has supported the Atlanta Micro Fund by providing supplies, space, equipment use, shared staffing and Board members.  Together the two organizations have provided annual free tax preparation assistance. Click here for more information on the Atlanta Micro Fund or call (404) 525 8418.

Voter Registration Drive

RRC staff and members of RCIL have received training in voter registration and periodically conduct voter registraton drives.  This builds on a long history of past community-wide voter registration efforts.

Tax Preparation Assistance

RRC and the Atlanta Micro Fund provide free tax preparation assistance in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, and several volunteers.  This assistance has helped numerous people access the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit who otherwise might have been unaware of their eligibility.