1. City of Valdosta Southern Hospitality Group Workcamp Presented by Mara S. Register Assistant to the City Manager

2. How it Started City Fathers set a goal to eliminate all substandard housing by the year “2020” KeyWe Housing Coalition was formed Community Development Department for the city searched for new ways to address housing needs in the community and discovered Group Workcamp First Workcamp held in 2005 and serves as the City’s minor repair program More than 240 homes have been repaired

3. What is Group Workcamp? Classic hands-on home repair A six day adventure that allows youth to make a lasting impact on the homes and hearts of elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged people Non-denominational program through Group Publishing in Loveland, CO

4. Who Participates? Young people from different church youth groups from all over the country Adult chaperones from participating church groups Red Shirts Manage the Camp A team from the Group Workcamp Foundation

5. The Partners City of Valdosta Lowe’s Distribution Center Valdosta City School System Lowe’s Retail Store Habitat for Humanity Local Churches Group Workcamps, Inc. VAMA (Valdosta Area Ministerial Assoc.)

6. The Cost City of Valdosta Lowe’s Group Workcamps Foundation $9,500 Pro-rata portion of the $399 per camper registration fee

7. In-kind Donations Second Harvest Food Bank Various local churches KLVB Habitat for Humanity Lowe’s Distribution Center Lowe’s Retail Store

8. 2011 Southern Hospitality Workcamp June 26 – July 2, 2011 370 youth and adults from 12 different states 34 project sites 9,900 volunteer hours valued at $73,424 Six Workcamps Has Yielded $1.47 million in economic impact in the Community

9. Southern Hospitality Workcamp Valdosta—the birthplace of Doc Holliday—is a modern Southern town with a big difference…In a world where too many people just look the other way, the citizens of Valdosta are determined to fix the homes of their less fortunate neighbors! The entire community has made a commitment to eliminate all substandard housing by the year 2020. So when you choose Valdosta, you’ll be doing more than bringing hope to the folks who need it most. You’ll be part of something bigger. Whether you replace rotten siding for an elderly widow, give a disabled man the gift of mobility with a wheelchair ramp, or boost a struggling family’s self esteem by making their house look like a million bucks with a bright new coat of paint, you’ll really make a difference here. Come experience true Southern hospitality, and after a hard day’s work, kick back in one of the newest and best air-conditioned schools you’ve seen in a long time.

10. States Represented New Jersey Florida Texas Ohio Michigan California Missouri Iowa Illinois North Carolina Pennsylvania North Dakota

11. Awards & Achievements 2006 Magnolia Award Winner presented by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs 2007 Audrey Nelson Special Achievement Award Presented by the National Community Development Association

12. 2011 Service Area Map

13. Youth Group

15. Work Crews at Project Sites

16. Crews at work

17. Work Crews On Job Sites

18. Crews At Work

19. Finished Houses

24. Project Results Project recipients feel pride in their homes Property values have increased Owners of other houses in the area (mostly rental properties) have begun to make improvements to their properties Effective tool in stopping the deterioration of these homes Important part of the City’s Tool Box utilized in neighborhood redevelopment

25. Other improvement projects in the Designated Revitalization Area Major repair/reconstruction for homeowners Homeownership development Park improvements Drainage and infrastructure improvements Code Enforcement Efforts – demolition, clearance and repair Neighborhood Watch Groups

26. Lives Changed

27. Contact Information Mara S. Register Assistant to the City Manager City of Valdosta P.O. Box 1125 Valdosta, GA 31603-1125 (229) 259-3571 (229) 259-3539 (fax) register@valdostacity.com