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City of Macon Uses 'Shalom Zone' Concept
Kendall Herold
Story Created:
Apr 23, 2009 at 3:57 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 23, 2009 at 10:18 PM CDT
The 'Shalom Zone' Concept was created 15 years ago by Drew University in New Jersey. And Thursday, the idea of starting with small neighborhoods to address societal issues was brought to Macon.
Macon community leaders and members gathered at the Goodwill Conference Center Thursday to help use what resources the city already has to improve the neighborhoods that you live in.
The decision to use the Shalom Zone Concept was made by Mayor Robert Reichert.
"This is a targeted neighborhood approach to building a better community, so that these organizations are empowered and can partner with local government to address specific needs and begin to make a change," commented Mayor Reichert.
Mayor Reichert says one of the days main concerns was the high amount of Macon and Bibb County citizens living below the poverty level.
"Poverty breeds ignorance which breeds more poverty, which in turn breeds more ignorance. It's a vicious cycle that we must break if we're able to build a better community."
Communities of Shalom National Site Coordinator Annie Allen says Macon has all of the necessary ingredients for the concept to be a success.
"This is a wonderful opportunity. There's lots of wide range of people here today. A great group of people who, I think, which just a little bit of alignment, can make a huge difference in Macon."
There are approximately 100 Shalom Zone Communities across the country.
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Mike Oliver said on Wednesday, Aug 19 at 1:30 PM
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