On Monday, September 28, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., WellCare of Central Georgia will present a sponsorship of $11,380 to Macon-Bibb County’s Shalom Zones to start or add on to community gardens and to host healthcare initiatives. The announcement and check presentation will take place in front of the Mayor’s Office at Government Center (700 Poplar Street).

“I would like to thank WellCare of Georgia for joining with us as we move forward to make the Communities of Shalom here in Macon-Bibb healthier,” says Frank Austin.

Representatives from Wellcare will present a check to Shalom Zone coordinators from several of the neighborhoods, Frank Austin of the Austin Center for Development, and Macon-Bibb County. Following the presentation, representatives from the Shalom Zones will be able to show reporters around their neighborhoods, talking about what improvements have been made, what plans are for the future, and how the sponsorship funds will assist in those efforts.

“Making sure our neighborhoods improve for many years to come takes the engagement and support of the people living there, and through the Communities of Shalom, we are providing the skills and resources needed for people to make that happen,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “Thank you to WellCare of Central Georgia for taking an active role in supporting neighborhood health.”

Shalom Zones in Macon-Bibb
Shalom Zones in Macon-Bibb began with the former City of Macon and five neighborhood trainings in 2008. The program has since expanded to 10 neighborhoods: Lynmore Estates, Hillcrest, Village Green, Pleasant Hill, East Macon, Beall’s Hill, Unionville, Bellevue, South Macon, and Kings Park.

In August, residents from the 10 neighborhoods completed their Shalom Zone training and presented plans for improving their communities, and were recognized for their efforts to improve Macon-Bibb County.

Macon was the first municipality in the United States to embrace the Communities of Shalom on this broad of a level. Quarterly meetings are held in each Shalom Zone to identify needs and resources and to work on a strategic plan for improving the neighborhood.

Threads of Shalom

S – Systemic and Sustainable Change
H – Healing, Health, Harmony, and Wholeness
A – Asset-based Community Development
L – Love for God, Self, and Neighbor
O – Organizing for Community Transformation
M – Multicultural, Multi-faith Collaboration