THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 18, 1996 TAG: 9606180323
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN JOLLY DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BELLE HAVEN LENGTH: 42 lines
An Eastern Shore nonprofit was one of three organizations in the country to be honored by the Center for Community Change on Sunday. The Virginia Eastern Shore Economic Empowerment and Housing Corporation won one of the first Leonard Lesser Community Awards, which includes a $2,000 grant.
``Seldom do we see a relatively new organization have such a significant impact on its community,'' said Pablo Eisenberg, executive director for the Washington-based center.
He said VESEEHC has proven that an organization strongly connected to its community - one that gains access to serious resources - can begin revitalizing even very low-income, isolated rural areas.
``That is an extremely important message at a time when so much of the country is willing to write off low-income communities as hopeless,'' said Eisenberg.
The Center for Community Change has worked with thousands of nonprofit organizations over the past 25 years. VESEEHC is impressive, said center spokesman Tim Saasta, in the variety of projects it has sponsored. The group is renovating the old Candlelight restaurant and motel to be a $2 million transition housing, day care and social services facility.
VESEEHC has established two $1 million revolving loan funds, one for housing repair and the other to start very small businesses. The group is also helping low-income people to buy their homes by providing counseling and help with down payments. And VESEEHC administers grants won as a result of the federal Enterprise Community designation.
Eisenberg praised VESEEHC for its ability to successfully combine a range of roles: developer, organizer, advocate.
``The way they have been able to build connection with governments, businesses and other nonprofits has been impressive,'' he said. ``That's precisely the kind of catalyst role that community-based organizations can perform so well.''
Arthur Carter, executive director of VESEEHC, received the award on behalf of his group.
``We are humbled and honored to be recognized nationally for our work with the low-income and working-class people on the Eastern Shore,'' said Carter. by CNB