Germania Park youth program places 3rd in Neighorhood USA Awards
During a virtual awards presentation for the Neighborhoods USA Awards, District 7’s Germania Park placed third in the Physical Revitalization and Beautification category for their Junior Code Enforcers pilot program that launched last year.
The youth program was created by Ms. Evanne Gibson, the Germania Park Neighborhood Association President, in the summer of 2019. Ms. Gibson is a District 7 resident.
The focus of the program is for young people who may be interested in the construction or inspection professions to have the opportunity to gain experience in their own communities. The program was from June 10 to July 3 and six initial students were selected through assistance from the Birmingham Division of Youth Services.
During their time in the program, the students toured the Jefferson County Environmental Department and the City of Birmingham’s Code Enforcement division. They also met with Mr. Charles Smith, Birmingham’s Chief Building Inspector, who discussed his job responsibilities.
While visiting and with officials, the students learned about street condition analysis, rode around City neighborhoods to test the height of properties’ grass, rate house conditions and received information about air pollution. Three students completed the program: India Albury (Senior at Wenonah High School); Dominique Riles (Junior at Parker High) and Tyleik Burts (Junior at Minor High).
The students met with Birmingham District 7 City Councilor Wardine Alexander at, at City Hall. She presented the students with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Distinguished Citizen Medal for completing the code enforcement program.
“I am very excited that these students had the opportunity to shadow the PEP Office and their programs,” Councilor Alexander said. “I am glad to see the City of Birmingham and our stakeholders collaborate to provide these opportunities through this grassroots workforce development program.”
On Friday, Alexander expressed how proud she was that the District 7 program is receiving national praise. “This just goes to show you that in order to make a change in the world, you just need to look to your own community. I am so excited that the work Ms. Gibson and her team has done is now getting recognized on a national level.”
