The city of Madison’s Community Development Division last Thursday capped off National Community Development Week by celebrating 50 years of investing in people and building community at an event at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Community Development Division Director Jim O’Keefe joined several alders and city staff in thanking the dozens of community nonprofits for their work focused on housing, basic needs, crisis intervention and prevention, youth employment, older adult services, child care and more at the event.
This year marks 50 years since Madison received its first Community Development Block Grant funds from the federal government, which city leaders at the time decided to supplement with city tax dollars. After an initial investment of about $300,000 to support 15 nonprofits in 1975, that city support has grown to about $11 million to support 60 agencies today.
Community organizations recognized at Thursday’s event included:
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Common Wealth Development;
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Habitat for Humanity of Dane County;
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Movin’ Out;
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Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development;
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Urban League of Greater Madison;
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Project Home;
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Madison Area Community Land Trust;
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Operation Fresh Start;
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The City of Madison Planning Division;
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Satellite Family Child Care System;
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Reach Dane; and
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Neighborhood Centers Coalition.
