The City of Valdosta will observe National Community Development Week, April 17- 22, with various events that will highlight the year-round resources provided through the city’s Community Development Block Grant program.
 
The CDBG program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program that provides grants to states, cities and counties to improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. Although the national CDBG program has been cut significantly in recent years, the City of Valdosta’s program remains a valuable resource that is improving the overall condition of city neighborhoods.
 
The following events have been coordinated by the Valdosta Neighborhood Development Division for NCDW.
 
Monday, April 17
Proclamation—Mayor John Gayle will kick off the NCDW by presenting a proclamation to the Neighborhood Development staff, at 11 a.m., at Valdosta City Hall.
 
Tuesday, April 18
Knowing Your Fair Housing Rights—Home Safe Consulting, in Valdosta, will host a Knowing Your Fair Housing Rights workshop in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room. Two sessions will be held, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and include a free lunch and light snacks respectively for all pre-registered participants. Reservations are requested.
 
Wednesday, April 19
Land Banking 101—Chris Norman, President of the Georgia Land Bank Association, will present “Land Banking 101” to inform interested individuals about the purpose and practice of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Land Bank. The workshop will be taught twice in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and again at 5:30-7:30 p.m.
 
Goodwill on the Go presents “Career Mentoring”—The Neighborhood Development Division and Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc. are expanding community access to job training and connections services through a series of workshops held throughout the year. The April 19 workshop will focus on Careering Mentoring and will take place in the City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.  

Thursday, April 20
SEEDS for Success Workshop, “How to Plan/Start Your Business”—This workshop is specifically for anyone interested in turning their business idea into a reality. Hosted in partnership with Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and the Valdosta-Lowndes Business University, “How to Plan/Start Your Business” will be held in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
 
Friday, April 21
Mad City Money—Pre-selected sixth-graders from Valdosta City Schools will learn financial literacy and responsibility from the Cash Prosperity Campaign, utilizing the fun and educational FDIC Money Smart curriculum.
 
VSEB 101 & First Step—Business-minded individuals will learn how to successfully complete an application for the Valdosta Small Emerging Business Program and will also learn the benefits of the city’s First Step program. The event will be held in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
 
Saturday, April 22
City-Wide Bulk Trash Amnesty Day—The Neighborhood Development Division will host a Bulk Trash Amnesty Day on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., allowing city residents (with proof of city residency) to dispose of bulk trash for free.
 
Tom Park Revitalization and “Edu-Scape” Reveal—The city has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Valdosta/Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority for a cleanup of Tom Park and the new educational play stations, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Valdosta’s observance of NCDW is sponsored by the Cash Prosperity Campaign, City of Valdosta, Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Goodwill Southern Rivers, Inc., Habitat for Humanity, SEEDS Business Resource Center, Small Business Development Center, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, and Valdosta/Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority.