By Stephanie Gonzalez
The end of May is also the end of my time as executive director of the Cooper-Young Community Association. It’s been a great run and I’ve learned a lot. I was given an opportunity I can’t pass up, but I’m looking forward to continuing to serve on the Beerfest Committee and as a volunteer for the association.
I’m leaving the CYCA in the capable hands of the board and its two new part-time employees, Sheree Stubblefield, our new communications coordinator, and Amanda Yarbro-Dill, our new office coordinator. I think breaking this job into two will give the community double the expertise and provide each employee with an additional level of backup and support.
I thought I’d leave you with a few things I’m thankful for:
- That in a city with a high crime rate, our neighborhood is lucky enough to have minimal crime.
- That in a city with a high poverty rate, most of our neighbors don’t want for much.
- That in a city with neighborhoods some are afraid to even drive through, ours is one that attracts regular fundraisers, races and parties throughout the year.
- That our neighborhood has the variety brought by both renters and owners, the old and the young, the classic and the modern, the staid and the funky.
- That regardless of what gets said on Nextdoor, our neighbors are kind to each other in real life.
- That Cooper-Young is the kind of neighborhood others want to live in and visit.
I love my neighborhood and can’t wait to see what my next level of involvement here will bring. Stay kind, y’all!
