Improving
The Neighborhood, Our Ultimate Goal
If you wish to learn more about what our nonprofit organization does, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You may contact us by phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Trusted Nonprofit Organization
Charitable Programs for the Community
Our Story
In May of 1985, Rev. Jay Seabrook, Pastor of Northminister Presbyterian
Church, and Rev. Dr. John L. Herndon III, Pastor of Fellowship Church, met in this meeting. Rev. Seabrook whose church was located in Meadow Hills, a neighborhood in transition from predominately white middle-class homeowners to a mostly black, drug- and crime-infested neighborhood with a large number of rental properties. Many of the older residents, both black and white, were fearful of confronting these negative influences in their neighborhood. Out of this conversation, Meadow Hills Initiative Inc. was incorporated on February 8, 1988, and in 1990, Rev. Herndon submitted their application for 501 (c)(3) status to the Internal Revenue Service that was approved.
The initiative's first neighborhood project was the roofing of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Seay's home. The two churches purchased the materials and provided the labor to complete the project in two days. Later, Mrs. Patricia Townsend was chosen as their first Executive Director. Some of the early programs of the initiative included the development of a Community Watch, Yard of the Month Awards, Summer Enrichment programs for the neighborhood children, and job skills program for the young men. During this time, the Initiative received a $40,000 grant from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to continue its community development efforts.
In the mid-nineties, the Initiative, with the capable leadership of Mr. Charlie
E. Corley as President and Ms. Linda Turner Chirwa as Neighborhood Services
Coordinator, began to develop partnerships with the Huntsville Police
Department, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, several regional banks, the City of Huntsville, Alabama A&M University, churches, and others. Through these partnerships, one hundred fifty rental properties were purchased, renovated, and resold to homeowners that wish to live in the neighborhood.
It was the intent of Reverends Herndon and Seabrook to provide short-term leadership for this effort and then turn it over to neighborhood residents that had learned to lead and be their own advocates. Although it has been a struggle since 1988, Reverends Herndon and Seabrook are convinced that this has been a powerful example of community empowerment. This is evidenced by the fact other neighborhoods in Huntsville and are using this model of neighborhood empowerment.
Discover Our Charitable Services
As a nonprofit organization, Meadow Hills Initiative Inc. is committed to providing charitable services that will help uplift the lives of the people in the community. If you wish to support our cause or should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by phone or email. We’re more than happy to answer all of your questions. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
