Westside Future Fund (WFF) , and Believe AtlantaSM, an Atlanta-based AT&T volunteer program, brought together approximately 500 AT&T employees to share their time and talents to bring major improvements at Truly Living Well (TLW) Collegetown Center for Natural Urban Architecture, which will help bring the urban farm in compliance with American Disability Act (ADA) standards and create a healthier green space for Westside residents.
WFF is committed to transforming the lives of current and future residents of the Historic Westside neighborhoods for the better by establishing mixed-income communities that are safe, support families, stimulate local businesses and ensure sustainability for multiple generations. The nonprofit is focused on the holistic revitalization of the historic neighborhoods of English Avenue, Vine City, the Atlanta University Center and Ashview Heights, where Truly Living Well is located. WFF is committed to lifting up these neighborhoods and improving the lives of residents in four key areas: safety and security, mixed income communities/affordable housing, and cradle-to-career education and community health and wellness.
“We are place-based and people-focused, and volunteering is an essential component of our community engagement. I am so pleased to partner with AT&T to support Truly Living Well,” says Raquel Hudson, WFF Volunteer Services Director. “It’s exciting to be on the ground with 500 AT&T volunteers as they work to make this urban farm a thriving center for everyone in the community.”
The volunteers did everything from building wheelchair-friendly pathways, new picnic tables, a chicken coop and storage shed to creating a new sensory garden, raising and widening planting beds, planting 14 fruit trees and upgrading the greenhouse and children’s garden.
“Commitment to community is a guiding principle for us at AT&T and, today, we are excited to help Truly Living Well bring their Westside garden into compliance with ADA standards, ensuring this special place remains a centerpiece of the community that everyone – regardless of their abilities – can enjoy,” said Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T Georgia. Harrison continued: “The thousands of men and women who work for AT&T and call Atlanta home, believe in Atlanta, and through Believe AtlantaSM we are working to cultivate an environment where we collaborate with community organizations to ensure these neighborhoods receive the resources needed to make this great city a better home for all Atlanta residents.”
Truly Living Well is an essential part of the Atlanta urban farming movement and its programs have provided Ashview Heights residents with agricultural training, nutrition, education and job opportunities since opening in 2006. Through these programs, Truly Living Well shows how food can be a bridge across diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences.
“AT&T volunteers poured their passion and hard work into transforming spaces within Collegetown farm, so Westside residents can enjoy and reap the benefits from our urban agriculture center,” said Carol Hunter, Executive Director of Truly Living Well. “AT&T’s commitment to community is evident in the time shared and the quality of work done. Our community is better because of companies like AT&T.”
“We are honored to partner with AT&T to support one of our key impact areas, community health and wellness, through this volunteer event benefiting Truly Living Well. The Westside Future Fund and our community partners are devoted to supporting thriving and livable communities in the Historic Westside neighborhoods,” said Beverly Tatum, Westside Future Fund Board Vice Chair. “Access to healthy food is fundamental to community health and wellness, and the improvements AT&T volunteers are making to Collegetown Farm will allow even more residents living in these historic neighborhoods the opportunity to benefit from TLW.”
For more information on the Westside Future Fund, Believe AtlantaSM and Truly Living Well, please visit https://westsidefuturefund.org, https://believeatlanta.att.com, and https://www.trulylivingwell.com/.
