2019 VSNC Award Winners
The Virginia Statewide Neighborhoods Conference, Inc. Neighborhood Awards is a program which recognizes and honors the individual and collective accomplishments of neighborhood residents and organizations from around the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each year, nominations are submitted to the VSNC, Inc. Awards Review Committee who reviews, rates and selects the winners in four categories. The four categories we recognize are Project of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Youth Individual Effort of the Year, and Youth Group Effort of the Year. VSNC. Inc. is proud to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2019 Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Awards Program in each of the four categories
Project of the Year
- 1st PLACE WINNER
CARDINAL VILLAGE MURAL PROJECTS (Danville, Virginia)
“They completed four murals with themes of community, love, and strength that have increased the quality of place by repairing blight and have encouraged empathy and understanding by reducing interpersonal violence in the neighborhood. Three Hundred plus people participated in painting the largest of the murals...I still feel the pride and unity encompassed in the walls,” said a resident of this community.
- 2nd PLACE WINNER
LINDENWOOD/COTTAGE HEIGHTS/BARRAUD PARK CIVIC LEAGUE (Norfolk, Virginia)
Imagine a neighborhood with a welcome sign of L.O.V.E. This small neighborhood came together to “promote integrity for the community as well as a neighborhood standard for our residents and all who enter.” L.O.V.E. – Living in an Optimal, Viable, Evolving community that is safe, neighborly and cohesive.”
- 3RD PLACE WINNER
OLD SOUTHWEST, INC. FRANKLIN BRIDGE ART PROJECT (Roanoke, Virginia)
“Working together, City engineers, using the neighborhood’s input to create a bridge that reflects the historic character of the area, this project made a visible improvement to the neighborhood introducing artwork into neighborhoods, parks, public schools and at the community gateways.”
Advocate of the Year
- 1st PLACE WINNER
SHANA TURNER, HAMPTON ROADS, MOTHERS AGAINST SENSELESS KILLINGS (HR M.A.S.K.) (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
With so many senseless killings from guns, this community project “has made tremendous strides in the community to promote anti-gun violence awareness… including three $500 scholarships for residents who submit videos addressing how violence has affected them and what idea they have to offer to help solve the issue of gun violence”.
- 2nd PLACE WINNER
ANTONIO DAVIS (Norfolk, Virginia)
Antonio Davis “has taken art to a new level for his community with his creativity. He has given our community entrance such a new look that it makes people stop and take photos and share with their community.”
- 3RD PLACE WINNER
JAN KEISTER (Roanoke, Virginia)
Jan continually gives back to her neighborhood by submitting grant applications that enhance her neighborhood’s image. Comments included in the nomination stated ...” the permanent artwork brings a sense of community spirit and pride to Roanoke…” Jan’s “accomplishment promoted the strength of the community by showing others that it only takes one individual to make a difference in the lives of many. She “saw the possibility of something and made it a reality.”
Youth Individual Effort of the Year – No Award Nomination Submissions Received)
Youth Group Effort of the year
- 1st PLACE WINNER
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING TRADES (Lexington, Virginia)
The Rockbridge County High School Building Trades project provides opportunities for students to become “a tremendous help to Habitat for Humanity”...The students that build the homes say, “[They] feel a sense of pride when they complete a home, and many want to return to see the finished product when it arrives at the secondary site.”
- 2ND PLACE WINNER
FACETS CARE.ORG (Fairfax, Virginia)
“The problem is that no one is taking action with this information to stop the act of violence before it starts. Imagine if one of those people took action? How many tragedies could be prevented? How many lives would be saved? The FACETS CARE program helps to educate and provide tools and practices to youth to recognize the signs and signals of a potential threat and reinforce the need to Say Something.”
- 3RD PLACE WINNER
PROJECT YOUTH/CEDAR TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD ART PROJECT (Danville, Virginia)
Can “Teamwork make the dream work? Through the Cedar Terrace Neighborhood Art Project, three young ladies showed how working together can bring a community of residents of all ages out to socialize and celebrate and help create “unity in the community”.
All 1st place winners received a trophy, a certificate, and monetary award. 2nd & 3rd place winners received a certificate and monetary award. For additional information about the VSNC, Inc. Awards Program please contact Shellae Blackwell, 757-727-6282.