Manatee County Habitat for Humanity received an award from Keep Manatee Beautiful for its revitalization work with the residents of Washington Park in Bradenton. The award recognized Manatee Habitat for its partnership with the resident group “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” during the MLK Service Day in 2016.
“We are happy to receive this recognition of our partnership with Washington Park residents from Keep Manatee Beautiful. It is a tribute to the importance of joining together and having pride in your community,” said Diana Shoemaker, Executive Director for Manatee County Habitat for Humanity.
Ingrid McClelland and Diana Shoemaker with 2016 KMB Award
Habitat for Humanity is known for building affordable, sustainable houses for families in need but it has also expanded its mission to include Neighborhood Revitalization. “Broadening our mission to include working with communities to determine with the residents what is most important to them is the basis for Neighborhood Revitalization,” said Diana Shoemaker. “We have built relationships with the residents of Washington Park by working together in this community over the last three years and we look forward to continuing to work together.”
Both organizations received Martin Luther King Day of Service grants in 2016 and used their grants to work together in this community. “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” purchased lawn equipment for their yard clean-up program and Manatee Habitat identified a Washington Park resident for an exterior repair and painting project called a “Brush with Kindness.”
Manatee Habitat and Washington Park’s “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” are planning more joint projects together to address the goals of the residents and increase participation in the neighborhood group. For more information contact DiDi Hager at 748-9100.