The Life Enrichment Center (LEC), a nonprofit organization serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted its official opening for its Urban Arts Village, on July 15.
The Urban Arts Village is located on New City Church at the Mill’s property on 224 East Walton St. and is an outdoor community space for gatherings, selling artistic creations and products, and more.
Executive Director of The Life Enrichment Barbara Coleman previously told The Baldwin Bulletin that the goal behind the project was to create an access point between LEC’s individuals and the community in a sustainable, safe space.
“Our goal has always been about connecting our community with our individuals and showing everyone that we are all more alike than different,” said Coleman. “We plan to host a range of events for both the community and our individuals to enjoy.”
Development for the village began in January and continued through June. During the early workdays, LEC individuals and staff, LEC volunteers, New City Church at the Mill members, Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, and Phi Mu helped the Life Enrichment Center clear a foundation and move into the later stages for what was to become the village.
Then, the Milledgeville chapter of the Citizens of Georgia Power partnered with the LEC to build the deck as one of their Citizens Legacy Projects.
Citizens of Georgia Power nominated the LEC for grant funding through the Georgia Power Foundation to purchase materials for the deck and organized the volunteers to assist with rails, decking, and assembling tables.
“The LEC received a Legacy Grant from the Georgia Power Foundation to complete their deck at the Urban Arts Village. We felt the LEC’s dream matched perfectly to the goal of the grant to support a lasting and tangible community impact,” said Pam Getty, a member of the Milledgeville chapter of the Citizens of Georgia Power. “It is amazing that we once stood in that space and heard Barbara’s (Coleman) dream about what the village could be and then see that be brought into fruition.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the project come together.”
From its beginnings to its opening, the village project has connected LEC individuals with the community and introduced a wide variety of people to disabilities. With community members from multiple counties visiting the new Urban Arts Village and setting up their vendor tents, Coleman was proud to see the interconnectivity during the village’s official gathering.
“Today is just the beginning of a village that will continue to grow,” said Coleman. “I am so thankful to everyone who came here for the opening and who will come in the future when we host more events.”
New City Church at the Mill’s pastor Patrick McConnell was also elated to see the final product of everyone’s hard work and dedication to preserve the historic elements of the church and partner with the community.
“I am amazed that the village project finished so quickly and looks so good,” said McConnell. “When we began the restoration of the church, we were unsure what we could turn this former water tower space into and The Life Enrichment Center has properly made that space into a communal area for performances, gatherings and more. I couldn’t be happier.”
The Urban Arts village was full of music, dancing, vendors, food trucks and more throughout the day as it welcomed both its individuals and the community together in celebration. And with its official opening, Coleman states that the next event is already planned.
“We are super excited to be partnering with Georgia College & State University for their GC Gives Day on Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. We will be hosting a K-12 Back to School Celebration with activities, a giveaway, school supplies and so much more,” said Coleman. “So, we encourage everyone to drop by.”