AUC Consortium Helps Revitalize Communities on Atlanta’s Westside

The following is a letter to Cascade Patch readers and the community, from the AUC Consortium.

With a goal to empower residents of west Atlanta communities, the Atlanta University Center Consortium recently launched CommUniversity, a life-long learning program for underserved populations. In its initial phase, the Consortium offered a six-week intensive leadership certificate program to a class of 25 students. This year’s CommUniversity calendar promises a full schedule of innovative programs designed to reach a broader cohort of the community. 

This year’s kickoff event, “Know Your Rights! Free Legal Information Forum”, will provide residents with free legal information from experienced attorneys. Held on Dec. 7, 2013, from 10 a.m. – Noon, at the Clark Atlanta University Bishop Cornelius P. Henderson Student Center, the event is in partnership with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, attorneys from Atlanta Legal Aid, and members of the Gate City Bar Association. Topic discussions will provide attendees with practical tips such as how to expunge a criminal record, appeal a denial for unemployment compensation, obtain child support, defend against pushy debt collectors, and  resolve disputes with difficult landlords. Attorneys will also be on hand to answer questions from the audience. This event is free and open to the public.

Other CommUniversity events slated for 2014 include workshops on financial literacy, personal and home safety, social media and job search strategies. “While the AUC Consortium schools are anchored in our community and have tremendous capacity to enhance economic and community development, our passion and our core business is education,” said Dr. Sherry Turner, executive director for AUC Consortium and CommUniversity director. “Therefore, we are pleased to offer a broad range of lifelong educational opportunities for our neighbors. We are looking forward to expanding CommUniversity programs to reach more people in the community.” 

The AUC Consortium is the world’s oldest and largest association of historically Black colleges and universities. Comprised of four member institutions – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College, the Consortium is a vibrant intellectual community with a long tradition of scholarship, service and community engagement.