Pittsburgh Atlanta: A Weed and Seed Community- Part 1

Change. Change is a big word with a small amount of letters! History is filled with change; some changes are good, some are bad, but change is eventually inevitable. So what does change mean to a small historic town in downtown Atlanta. Throughout the years, Pittsburgh Atlanta has been a pivotal area in the Atlanta region. Unfortunately with the change of the times, the neighborhood has suffered extensive damages. At its peak, Pittsburgh was a center of African American excellence. With it such rich history being buried beneath its neglected demographics, there has been much initiative from the city of Atlanta to redevelop and "revitalize" this area.

With the residents of the area being displaced, many have decided the land has lost its value. But there has been a growing shift in the determination to plant new seeds of hope and reform, so the current residents may save the land and properties they have lived in for decades.

With this drive for reform, Dr. Marvin Brown Jr has been caught in the upheaval of individuals wanting to help the individuals in the community, especially the children and youth who are being impacted by theses changes. Dr. Brown decided to get his organization involved, and help plant new seeds of hope. His organization was Youth Centers For Change, Inc.

Youth Centers for Change, Inc. a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2016 in Atlanta by grassroots community activist, Dr. Marvin Brown Jr. Dr. Brown and his team were brought together by a common belief that many youth and families in their community lacked meaningful guidance and development. Determined to make a difference, Marvin convened a series of meetings. With initial commitments from community members and local businesses, Dr. Brown founded Youth Centers for Change as a nonprofit IRS 501(c)3 corporation. Since opening its doors, Youth Centers for Change has forged strong partnerships with the local business community, media, school districts, religious organizations, local, state, and federal government agencies, and other youth–serving organizations in the community.

Dr. Marvin Brown Jr, Executive Director and Founder, and his staff continue to carry out the Youth Centers for Change vision and expand the scope of program services.

Dr. Brown has created an extension of collaborating on projects in the Pittsburgh and surrounding communities Atlanta.

He is finding more and more kids and families stay in their homes when they cannot get out to visit facilities to acquire needed resources. His organization provides socialization and personal development opportunities through a series of various projects: youth and family community garden(s), health and wellness education and coaching, and other services when needed for youth and their families who are isolated from the community. we are looking to bring new innovative methods and practices to the field of agriculture and its subcategories, especially urban agriculture. Ultimately, Youth Centers for Change is currently expanding its scope of services to include providing structured domicile facilities youth/adults/ or families in homeless or otherwise disenfranchised situations.

His one-year pilot program objectives include:

1. establishing co-op programs; for the purposes of educational and nutritional resources;
2. Recruiting of volunteers improving the health and activity levels of youth and families in the community measured by several available survey tools, used at preset intervals throughout the year.
3. Acquiring land and properties for redevelopment purposes to places youth and families in structured housing environments.

One of the major goals is the acquisition of land and properties for development and usage for agricultural and community development.

YCC, Inc is also planning to host several workshops over urban agriculture and farming, agricultural and environmental sustainability, agronomics, and other various topics which can have an impact in the community.

The main small project has been Dr. Brown working on his first community garden with Ariel Bowen AME Church, the oldest church in the area. Having been established since 1861. He has done great work with Revered Hope, Douglas Dean, and his other partner Mrs. Candace Dantes.

His long time friends and board members, Deshon Graddy, Jermaine Lamar, and Alexander Little has also been part of this monumental task to help the community grow and rebuild itself to something greater. Candace, Deshon, and Dr. Brown have conducted three garden cleanup days, taking over the community garden of the church. It was tended originally by the late James Bridges. they have had community members and children participate. there goal is to expand and continue providing fresh produce for the residents as well as offering educational opportunities in doing so.

More is to come in the growing days as Dr. Brown continues to change the people of this neighborhood into community builders!