Communities of Opportunity is preparing for the next big phase in appropriating $5 million from the Walton Family Foundation.
A countywide meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Leflore County Civic Center.
"I think this meeting will be successful if the community comes together," said Artelia Leach. Leach of Greenwood is one of the liaisons trained by Communities of Opportunity. She works in the Mississippi Valley State University registrar's office.
The meeting Thursday will bring together all the communities to choose a Leflore County council. The council will then work with the Foundation for the Mid South and the Walton Foundation over a period of several months to come up with a comprehensive plan on how to allocate the $5 million over the next three years.
Once the plan is approved by both foundations, the money will begin to flow.
If the council's goals are met over the three-year period, then the Walton Foundation would consider renewing the grant.
"Our schedule is on target. Leflore County is in an ideal situation. Only one other county has been chosen for this opportunity, so we need to get people excited," said Angela Carson, president of Carson Consulting.
Carson Consulting in Ridgeland created focus groups and surveys for Communities of Opportunity.
Communities of Opportunity was created by the Foundation for the Mid South in late 2003 as a conduit for grant money given by the Walton Family Foundation.
Only Leflore County and St. Francis County in Arkansas were designated as pilot sites for the program.
The Foundation for the Mid South wanted the people of Leflore County to be behind the allocation of the money, said Carson.
Last year, communities such as Greenwood, Itta Bena, Money, Sidon and Minter City were surveyed to find out the needs and where they felt the money would best be invested.
Educational seminars and guest speakers arrived in Leflore County to inspire discussion and focus.
Liaisons were trained by Carson Consulting to become leaders and representatives of their communities. It was all in preparation for the meeting on Thursday.
"This training has helped me come to the meeting table without any racial attitudes, with a neutral, open mind," said Leach.
