The Southwest Area Neighborhood Association, or SWAN, has been an anchor in our community for the last 25 years. It was started by Willie Lightfoot, and his legacy is carried out in everything that SWAN does. United Way funds two programs, the Emergency Assistance Program and the Youth Development Program.
The Emergency Assistance program helps those in a time of crisis get the food they need can temporarily help out with utility bills, until they can get back on their feet again. Many of their neighborhood residents are working poor. They are single mothers who work several jobs to support their families. Many of them have to choose which bills to pay each month. They’re working hard to rebuild their lives, but like any of us would, they need some help along the way.
The Youth Development Program serves kids ages 6-16 who live in SWAN’s neighborhood. Basically, youth development is another term for an after-school program. SWAN hosts all sorts of activities to keep kids off the street, and help them find academic success. They even have things going on during Saturdays. SWAN encourages kids to seek a better way of life outside of the gangs.
SWAN works hand-in-hand with the entire neighborhood to really improve the environment they live in. It just goes to show that when people get together with a vision, they can move mountains. Congrats to SWAN on 25 years of incredible service to our community.
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There is no one cause to the issues we face - or any single solution - but when we act as one, we'll make a world of difference.
1 comment:
Correction: SWAN was started at Montgomery Neighborhood Center under the leadership of then Executive Director, Moses Gilbert. the organization after incorporating found itself headquartered out of 616 Jefferson Avenue, after Willie left his employ at Montgomery. In addition to Willie Lightfoot other founding members were Corrine Houser, Gloria Winston, Calvin Lee, Sr., George ?, Frances Johnson and others I can't recall but who were most instrumental in getting the organization up and running.
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