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Updated: 7:41 PM Aug 9, 2010
Westhaven Community Hopes to Shed Negative Image
The people of Charlottesville may have a negative image of the Westhaven public housing complex, but residents and activists Joy Johnson and Harold Folley want to highlight the positives of the community, like the after school program.
Posted: 4:50 PM Aug 9, 2010Email Address: cheryn.stone@newsplex.com |
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1 Comments 
August 9, 2010
Residents of the Westhaven public housing complex say that while their annual Community Day celebration was Saturday, efforts to strengthen their community continue year-round.
The people of Charlottesville may have a negative image of public housing, but Joy Johnson and Harold Folley want to highlight the positives of the community, like the after school program.
"We do do positive things. We have an after school program that Harold Folley runs, and nobody really talks about that," said Johnson, a Westhaven resident and organizer of the community day celebration.
"There is a lot of talent over here, and we don't just throw that talent away, we want to make sure it has an opportunity to grow," said Folley, who coordinates the after school program.
The program is always looking to add more volunteers, too.
"I hear a lot of stories from students who come to volunteer, who were told not to come here because of the bad area. But it's not bad, it's the people who come in Westhaven late at night, they are not the people who live here," said Folley.
With City kids not returning to school until August 25, the after school program was quite Monday afternoon. However, once school starts, kids will pack the room twice a week for healthy snacks, art projects, play time and more importantly, help with homework.
"You must have homework, that's the ticket to get in the door," said Folley.
However, if school started today, Folley would not have enough funding to run the after school program.
"As it stands now, no. I won't be able to have the classes until I get some donations."
Folley says the Westhaven after school program is run through the Virginia Organizing Project, a grassroots organization that works to make positive change in communities.
Latest Comments
Want to shed a bad image? Cooperate with police to rid the thugs from the area. Leave it to the vulture like left to prey on the vulnerable through "community" groups like the VOP. No better time to create little socialists than when they are young and impressionable.
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