Through a partnership with the City of Anderson, the United Way of Anderson County presented $5,000 grants to two organizations within the city to improve areas on the Westside of Anderson and in the Alphabet Streets area.  Men at Work, a local organization focused on building character in young men, will work with youth and adults at the Westview Heights Housing complex to beautify the entrance and plant a community garden. The Community Fair Housing Board of Anderson will utilize their project grant to assist the Alphabets Street Community Task Force in efforts to increase safety in the neighborhood through the installation of security lighting and cameras.

Check presentations were made Tuesday, June 8, 4:00 PM at the Westview Heights Housing Complex entrance and 6:30 PM at the Alphabet Streets Community Task Force meeting at Taylor Memorial Pentecostal Church, 711 Glenn St.

United Way of Anderson County also presented a $5,000 project grant to the Pendleton Community Center, Monday, June 7, 7:00 PM at the Pendleton Town Council meeting at Town Hall. The grant will help fund a grassroots effort to eliminate blight and improve safety on the west side of Pendleton.

The Zion Street Community Center in Belton recently received a grant for phase two of a neighborhood revitalization project they initiated in 2009 when they brought improvements to 25 houses in and around Zion Street in Belton. With their more recent funding they plan to make improvements to their community center building.

Imagine a Neighborhood is an initiative of the United Way of Anderson County to provide training to grassroots leaders and support to grassroots designed and driven projects.