Stories

U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Collier County Commissioners Penny Taylor and Bill McDaniel joined 125 guests to dedicate the Hatchers Preserve rental community on Monday, April 17th.  Hatchers is a small, impactful 18-unit investment that is critical to Rural Neighborhoods’ Eden Park-Esperanza Place Neighborhood Revitalization work in Immokalee.   The celebration took place as important housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant and  HOME Investment Partnership…

 “Hatchers remains a small rental community, but there is no place we work where the sense of partnership has been greater than in the building these 18 units,”  remarked Rural Neighborhoods President Steven Kirk as he opened the celebration of Hatchers Preserve.  “Local government’s generosity was unmatched, and national partners, too, joined in to make Hatchers a more livable place not simply bricks and mortar.”   Mr. Paul Weech, President of NeighborWorks…

Rural Neighborhoods and residents in the Eden Park neighborhood celebrated the area’s rich diversity with a Cultural Festival at Timber Ridge.  DJ Ruben Garza generously donated his time and played a variety of music and games for attendees throughout the afternoon.  He was complemented by local band, Caribbean Groove.  Residents celebrated their many cultures while…

With funding from NeighborWorks America, Rural Neighborhoods began working with residents and stakeholders in early 2015 to comprehensively assess the strengths and challenges of the Eden Park-Esperanza Place (EP2) neighborhoods in Immokalee.  This diverse area is home to approximately 7,400 residents, the majority of whom are Latino (81%).   The result of this 18-month effort was…

The University of Florida’s Family Nutrition Program launched a new class for residents in the Eden Park area.  Over the next eight weeks, residents will learn about nutrition and small changes they can make in their families’ meals to incorporate more fruits and vegetables and less processed food.  They will also learn simple techniques to…

Children enjoyed an afternoon of fun at Eden Gardens’ recent Fun Day for Kids.  Approximately 20 children attended and played on the playground and with their friends while enjoying snacks.  The event is held several times a year and offers children and their parents an opportunity to spend time together.