At the Cities United Summit in Atlanta on Sunday, January 23, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and Georgia Trend Magazine awarded Macon-Bibb County the Visionary City Award for the Brookdale Resource Center.
The award goes to cities which created positive community change through civic engagement and collaboration, and Macon-Bibb was one of three cities recognized in the 25,000+ population category. The Brookdale Resource Center was chosen for being a great example of people recognizing a problem and working together in unique ways to make their community a better place for all residents.
“This shines such a positive light on our community. Brookdale has been a true labor of love and continues to provide vital services to people in our community,” says Brookdale Executive Director Alison Bender. “In addition to what we do in the Center, we’re also able to connect people with other services and organizations of which they’re unaware, and we’re proud of that.”
“Our vision has always been to help people, and the Brookdale Resource Center met both an immediate and long-term need in our community,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller. “We hope this recognition will show other cities this work is needed and how it can be done.”
The Brookdale Resource Center was formed in January 2021, with the help of dozens of partners, and provides temporary housing, food, and other needs to people experiencing homelessness or other unsafe situations, and helps people get back on their feet after hard times. The staff is always looking for volunteers to help serve meals, sort donations, fold linens, and other tasks. To donate or volunteer, click here.