Community Improvement Program (CIP) has a new name! Henceforth, it will be know as the Community Improvement Contest (CIC).

The Community Improvement Contest (CIC) represents a change in name only to coordinate our work with other Federated Women's Clubs at the state and national levels. Our commitment for improvement of the Dunwoody/North DeKalb Community remains the same.

In addition to the many charities Dunwoody Woman's Club supports on an on going basis, when the need arises, DWC selects a 2-year Community Improvement Contest (CIC).

The Donaldson Chesnut Farm has been chosen for 2006 - 2008.

Photo:The William James Donaldson House, circa 1886

DWC will join with Dunwoody Preservation Trust and DeKalb County to help maintain and preserve the historic Donaldson Chesnut Farm in the heart of Dunwoody. The farm was purchased from David and Linda Chesnut by DeKalb County in 2005.

In a private/public partnership, the property will remain a part of the community's history forever. DeKalb County will own the property and it will be managed by the DunwoodyPreservation Trust (DPT). DPT initiated conversations with the Chesnut's to save the farm for historic purposes and then contacted and worked with DeKalb County to successfully
negotiate the acquisition.

During the interim period between the signing of a contract and the development of a Master Plan for future usage of the property, the vacant farm is suffering from the lack of water and maintenance for its existing gardens and cultivated areas. DWC is presently working DPT and the County by co-ordinating a community effort to have other local organizations join them in saving and maintaining what is already there. For the next two years the Club will continue to provide additional support as needed.

Past Dunwoody Woman's Club Community Improvement Programs have included the following.

2004 - 2006 CIC - Path Academy. Path is a DeKalb County charter middle school located next to Oglethorpe University.With a motto of "Work Hard, Be nice!", this progressive school is serving students selected from the underserved refugee, immigrant, and local Chamblee/Doraville area.It is known for instilling students with very basic sound principles of what it takes to get past socio-economic and linguistic barriers to succeed in top quality high schools, colleges and the competitve world. DWC volunteers served as "Path Pals" and worked with the students in their Saturday school, helping them to build up their library, teaching them a sense of responsibility in nature, as well as cleaning up the school grounds. They also helped to enhance their studies, broaden their horizons in the arts, and enrich their minds while nuturing those who need a little extra.

2002 - 2004 CIP - The Dunwoody Nature Center. "Operation Facelift". The project involved the redesign and renovation of the entrance and drive into the Nature Center and Park. It began with landscape design and was followed by the installation of specially selected planting materials and hardscapes. Other community organizations were invited to join in the funding and the first such contribution was that of the children from Austin school who, under the auspices of the parent assiciation raised $12,500 for a children's interactive tree house/pavillion.

2000 - 2002 CIP - The North DeKalb Cultural Center. DWC partnered with DeKalb County and the community to facilitate the updating of physical plant, landscaping and signage, and to broaden the impact of the Center on the North DeKalb Community. Established in 1988 in a former elementary school building, the North DeKalb Cultural Center was experiencing the problems of an aging facility.

This Web Site and a Community Calendar were also developed by the CIP Committee during the 2000 -2003 Progam.

Prior to 2000 - CIP's have included sponsoring or being instrumental in the founding of: the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade, the Spruill Center for the Arts, the Stage Door Players and the Dunwoody Library.

 

Serving the community since 1971"