This year’s 2016 Annual City Neighborhoods’ “Harvesting the Fruits” Potluck Dinner & Awards Celebration took place on November 11th. Over 200 neighborhood advocates, residents and leaders from across the city came together at the Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall to share their favorite dish, network with others and recognize and honor those receiving the 2016 Neighborhood Partnership Awards from over 50 award nominations submitted.
The 2016 Neighborhood Partnership Award recipients were as follows:
Neighborhood Unsung Hero Award
The Neighborhood Unsung Hero Award recognizes the volunteer contributions made by an individual who repeatedly gives outstanding volunteer service to actively improve and positively affect the lives and living conditions of individuals in their neighborhood.
This year, the award was present to Frank Broughman. Frank resides at Morningside Manor on a very limited income and started a small church called Under the Bridge Ministries that ‘shares The Word’ with the homeless, ex-offenders, and those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions that others ignore.He purchased a small bus to provide transportation for these folks to his church, doctor visits, shopping and wherever they may need transportation. Frank also operates a small food bank that serves the residents of Morningside Manor and other residents of the SE neighborhood and also volunteers at the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
He not only provides meals for the REACH youth performing summer housing rehab activities in SE, but has also has conducted fundraisers on behalf of the SE Action Forum, Inc, helped solicit volunteers to participate in neighborhood cleanups, and purchased pizzas out of his own funds to feed the volunteers working these events.
Frank can always be counted on to help with tables and chairs for neighborhood events like National Night Out, the Dale Avenue Mural dedication, and the big block party held in Kenwood neighborhood for which he was also able to help obtain the ‘Block Party Trailer’ from Liberty University that included games, a bouncy house, popcorn machine and snow cone maker in partnership with Crossroads Baptist Church for the youth.
In addition to his SE neighborhood volunteer activities, Frank also voluntarily serves the Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority by currently serving as president of Morningside Manor Residents Council and transporting people to Charlottesville to obtain dentures. As a future endeavor, Frank Hopes to set up an office locally to assist people across the city who need eyeglasses and hearing aids but can not afford them. The award was presented by Mayor Sherman Lea.
Neighborhood Youth Volunteer Award
The Neighborhood Youth Volunteer Award recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions by a single youth or group (ages 18 and under) who have either participated in organized volunteer efforts or youth who have demonstrated initiative, identified a need, and/or created his or her own volunteer activities to meet a specific community concern.
The 2016 award was presented to Elle Prillaman. Elle is an outstanding student at Patrick Henry High School. As part of a class assignment research paper, Elle researched campus rape issues but afterwards, she took her project to a whole new level. While other students’ work on their research projects came to an end, Elle established a Patrick Henry High School Chapter of ‘Help Save the Next Girl’, a national organization formed by the mother of Morgan Harrington, a VA Tech student who was killed while attending a concert at UVA.
In the spring of her sophomore year, Elle contacted the ‘Help Save the Next Girl’ organization to charter the Patrick Henry High School chapter. At the beginning of her junior year, she began promoting her fledging chapter and by the end of the year, she had created one of the most successful student led groups at the school holding biweekly meetings consisting of 30 or more students comprised of both male and female attendees.
Elle collaborated with another campus group to host Ms. Trina Murphy who spoke about safety issues for women. In addition, she organized a fund raiser for her chapter at a local restaurant, lined up a band to play, marketed the event on social media, sold ’Help Save the Next Girl’ t-shirts, and distributed info about women’s safety issues. Over $900 was raised. Elle contributed half to the national organization with the remaining portion used to bring programs on women’s safety to the Roanoke Valley raising awareness about a significant issue for young women. The award was presented by Vice Mayor Anita Price.
Neighborhood Improvement Award
The Neighborhood Improvement Award recognizes a neighborhood project or activity which improves and/or enhances the neighborhood’s quality of life.
This year, the award was presented to the Joint Resident Council (JRC) which acts as a Resident Advisory Board for Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (RRHA) public housing communities. The JRC provides a valuable voice for residents and participants in RRHA’s housing programs including policy development and advocating for the needs of the residents.
JRC moved beyond advocacy to take direct action to address a critical need for eye glasses and dentures among their residents who many are elderly and have low incomes. When they saw this need, the JRC volunteers took the initiative to seek funding last year from the Foundation for Roanoke Valley when they received a grant for $40,000 to provide needed dentures and eyeglasses to their residents.
In 2015, the program provided dentures to 115 people and eyeglasses to 150. Because of the resounding success of their program, the Foundation for Roanoke Valley awarded them a second grant in February 2016 for $75,000 to expand the program to serve persons aged 50 and over with low income throughout the City of Roanoke.
JRC volunteer members continue to negotiate partnerships and discounts with providers for dental extractions, dentures, and eyeglasses. They volunteer their time and energy to arrange appointments and provide transportation – using their personal vehicles – so that all of the grant funding received can be used to provide the direct services of the program.
To date, over 300 people have received glasses and nearly 50 have received dentures or extractions through what is now known as the Authority’s ‘Star Valley Outreach’ program. The award was presented by Council member Michelle Dykstra.
Neighborhood-Community Partnership Award
The Neighborhood Community Partnership Award recognizes a business, nonprofit, school and/or other institution that improved the surrounding neighborhood and/or community at large.
The 2016 award was presented to La Cove which is owned by Freeland “Sonny: Pendleton, and at one time was a restaurant located on the 1700 block of Cove Road in NW Roanoke. Sonny provides the use of his building to the Fairland Civic Organization making it easy and convenient for the group – especially it’s elderly members – to meet at no charge.
Sonny arrives early before each Fairland meeting to ensure any resources needed by the group are readily available. He also participates by attending the meetings until they conclude. Sonny also makes certain La Cove is available to the organization for emergencies, unscheduled meetings, and other neighborhood activities.
He supported the group’s National Night Out event when they found themselves in a bind when one of the event’s organizer’s AND one of their cook’s unexpectedly was unable to participate. Sonny prepared the food at very short notice ensuring the event was a success. Sonny regularly collects the group’s meeting signs following their meetings and stores them until needed in advance of the next meeting.
Fairland President, Cheryl Hilton said, “I do not know the monetary value of our use of La Cove that has accumulated over the past year that Sonny so graciously has allowed the Fairland Civic Organization to meet and use. I do know however, that our meager budget would not have allowed us to absorb this cost. Sonny has extended his business – La Cove – not only to support our organization but has also proven – time and time again – through his actions that he genuinely cares about the community he serves.” The award was presented by Council member Bill Bestpitch.
Neighborhood City Partnership Award
The Neighborhood City Partnership Award recognizes a city office, department or employee who assisted and/or provided resources to a neighborhood organization on a project, program, or activity that improved/enhanced the neighborhood’s quality of life. This year, the award went to Ms. Randi Wines who serves as the Librarian at the Gainsboro Branch Library. Randi also volunteers as Asst. Secretary of the Gainsboro SW Community Organization.
Most recently, Randi volunteered to serve on the organization’s Bylaw Committee to help update the Gainsborough SW Community Organization Bylaws draft which was approved by the organization’s membership. Randi has also volunteered to serve on the organization’s ‘Special Project Committee’ where she helped research the process for using vacant lots and closing of a street to establish a neighborhood pocket park complete with children’s playground equipment. Randi makes certain all needs are addressed when the Gainsboro SW Community Organization AND Historic Gainsboro Preservation District meet in the library’s Community Room.
In addition to her neighborhood organization volunteer activities, Randi also works with the ‘Summer Meal Program’ making certain those youth under the age of 18 who do not know when or where their next meal will come are provided with a free meal or snack along with some brain-building fun during the summer months. Randi truly understands that healthy bodies AND healthy neighborhoods create healthy communities! The award was presented by City Manager Chris Morrill.
Neighborhood Communications Award
The Neighborhood Communications Award recognizes excellence in quality and creativity in neighborhood oriented publications and other neighborhood communication outreach activities.
The 2016 award went to the Raleigh Court Neighborhood Association. The Raleigh Court Neighborhood Association produces the ‘Court Reporter’ – a monthly newsletter that is not only emailed to members but is also provided in a printed version for those who might not have computer access. The association makes their newsletter available at no cost for pick up at several local businesses throughout the Grandin Village located in the heart of the Raleigh Court neighborhood. The ‘Court Reporter’ is produced on a monthly basis and always begins with a ‘Message from the President’ followed by articles of interest to Raleigh Court residents.
Raleigh Court also partners with area businesses to run ads in their newsletter to help offset the cost of producing that in turn helps to create a bond between the neighborhood’s business community and neighborhood residents. Raleigh Court also enhances their communication and outreach in the neighborhood with their website and Facebook Page to share information, alerts, activities, and neighborhood news between newsletter editions.
The Raleigh Court Neighborhood Association also maintains a strong partnership with the Grandin Village Business Association to help get the word out to the community bat large. The award was presented by Council member John Garland.
Neighborhood Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award
The Neighborhood Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award is for an individual who has given outstanding volunteer leadership service to his or her neighborhood.
This year’s award went to John Turner, president of the Avenel Neighborhood Watch. John was the catalyst for starting the Avenel Neighborhood Watch in 2014. He regularly sends out – in addition to the meeting notices and reminders – ongoing correspondence to keep his neighbors advised of not only what is going on in the neighborhood but also provides tips with regard to crime safety and neighborhood quality of life.
Last winter, John organized hi neighbors to park on one side of the street for several blocks during snow events to allow city snow plows the ability to safely plow the neighborhood’s narrow streets from snow. He organized a neighborhood-wide yard sale and in the fall organizes that has become an annual neighborhood BBQ get together, But John doesn’t stop here.
John also partners with the city each year to close Avenel Avenue for several hours on Halloween night and coordinates with neighbors to provide an opportunity for ‘trick-or-treaters’ to safely roam the neighborhood street. Of course, John doesn’t do this alone as he is highly successful in sharing responsibilities with others in the neighborhood to make certain these events are a true team effort. As a neighborhood leader, John truly understands “it takes a good team to make things happen”. The award was presented by Council member Ray Ferris.
Neighborhood Arts Award
The Neighborhood Arts Award recognizes a neighborhood project or activity which improves the quality of the arts in the neighborhood, enhances the character of the neighborhood through the arts or improves the surroundings through the visual or performing arts.
The 2016 award was awarded to the Dale Avenue Mural Project. From the beginning, the process was a collaborative effort as Nicole Harris took her idea for the mural to Facebook – asking people to chime in with their ideas as to what a mural should look painted on the blank 300 foot concrete wall along Dale Avenue SE near where it intersects with 13th St SE. She then talked with members of the Southeast Action Forum to gather their ideas and together they brought Roanoke staff into the planning process.
The city – who owns the wall – agreed to the idea of a mural being painted on it. The SE Action Forum, Inc. – of which Nicole volunteers as Secretary – applied for and was awarded a Neighborhood Development Grant to pay for an artist to design the mural based upon the ideas received from the community at large.
Design artist, Scott “Toobz” Noel was able to incorporate those ideas, showcasing the Blue Ridge Mountains and a tree that’s blowing in the wind – modeled after the one growing next to Fire Station No. 6, which sits across the street from the wall. After the city’s Public Works Dept. contributed the labor to pressure wash the wall prior to the work commencing, the artist sketched out the mural design and the mural itself was painted by neighborhood volunteers over a 2-week period. Today the wall serves as a reminder that when people work together for a common cause, amazing things are possible. The award was present by Art Commission member Greg Webster.
Neighborhood All Star Award
The Neighborhood All-Star Award recognizes the exceptional accomplishments achieved by an eligible neighborhood organization or individual that was nominated for one or more of the eight (8) award categories who improved their neighborhood’s quality of life through volunteer activities, leadership, physical improvements, beautification, social connections with residents and other neighborhoods, collaborations with the city, nonprofits, churches, schools, art groups and/or businesses that enhanced the health and wellness of their neighborhood’s residents.
The 2016 Neighborhood All Star Award award went to Elle Prillaman and was presented by the last year’s 2015 All-Star Award winner, Jamice Rudd.
The Neighborhood Partnership Awards Program is an annual event sponsored by the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates and Roanoke City Council to honor and recognize the outstanding contributions, excellence and accomplishments achieved by the city’s neighborhood organizations and civic individuals who have partnered with city departments, schools, non-profits, businesses, institutions and others throughout the year to:
1) Make physical and/or social improvements to our neighborhoods.
2) Connect neighbors and/or neighborhoods with one another.
3) Build the capacity of their neighborhood organization to better serve our community.
Nominations for 2017 Neighborhood Partnership Awards recipients are currently being accepted. For additional information on the annual Neighborhood Partnership Awards program including an online nomination form, visit www.roanokeva.gov/neighborhoodawards or call the Office of Neighborhood Services at 540-853-5210.
