Community Participation Phase of the
Poverty Analysis for Albany, GA

The community participation phase of a poverty analysis for Albany, GA is underway from April 19 – May 3, 2010. Poverty is one of six top priorities for the Albany City Commission. Alfred Lott, City Manager, requested that a poverty analysis be conducted to provide important information to city officials for future decision making. There are four objectives of the study: (1) to identify the current demographic indicators of poverty for Albany, GA, (2) to identify all agencies, organizations, and businesses that currently address poverty reduction in Albany, GA, (3) to identify the causes of poverty in Albany, GA, and (4) to identify solutions to further address poverty reduction in Albany, GA.

The Department of Community and Economic Development has engaged VAAC Consulting Inc. (VAACCI) to complete the study from April 6 – May 18, 2010. Latoya Cutts, Director, is the contact person for the City of Albany on this project. Veronica Adams-Cooper is the consultant from VAACCI who will conduct the poverty analysis. She serves as an Associate Professor of Public Administration at Albany State University who specializes in community & economic development and nonprofit administration.

Ms. Adams-Cooper has developed four (4) ways for the community to participate in this project. One, citizens may attend a community session on Wednesday, April 28th from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the Albany Civil Rights Institute located at 326 Whitney Avenue. Pre-registration is required by Monday, April 26th. Lunch will be provided. Two, citizens may complete a community survey to share their thoughts about poverty in Albany, GA. Three, agencies, organizations, and businesses who serve persons in poverty can register to create a community resources directory that focuses specifically on addressing poverty. And four, focus group participants in various subgroups will be identified to participate in special community sessions.

Persons may participate and register online at www.vaac-consulting.com. Persons may also call Ms. Adams-Cooper at (229) 395-3302 or email info@vaac-consulting.com to participate and register by hardcopy or to get more information.