Melanie Conner in the Running for the “Pay It Forward” Category for her Role at the Helm of Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence in Georgia
Duluth, Ga., July 30, 2020 – After assuming the role of CEO of Rainbow Village in January 2018, Melanie Conner has been busy redefining the self-described “community of transformation” dedicated to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence in Georgia families with children. With the nonprofit’s campus built out to include offices, a community center and five apartment buildings with room enough to house 30 families, Conner has shifted the focus to the creation of more robust programming for the families Rainbow Village serves, solid partnerships with community leaders and corporations, streamlined data systems to track progress and a compelling brand to let the public know what Rainbow Village is all about. Two and a half years later, she is being recognized for her hard work by being named a finalist in the Gwinnett Chamber Moxie Awards in the “Pay It Forward” category.
“I am incredibly honored just to be nominated, not to mention make it to the finalist phase,” said Conner. “Particularly when you consider the incredible women who are being recognized alongside me and those who have preceded me over the last two years. While I am grateful to be in the running, the true rewards of my job come from working with my incredible team and seeing a family rise above the dark cloud of homelessness and food insecurity to a promising future of self-sustainability. It is a privilege to do what I do with and for the families I am blessed to serve every day.”
Presented by Northside Hospital, the 3rd Annual Moxie Awards are designed to honor women who are making it happen. The “Pay It Forward” category for which Conner has been named a finalist seeks to pay tribute to an individual who is generous with her time, talent, or resources. In doing so, the community is a better place because of her contributions and efforts to helping others. Winners will be announced at a hybrid Virtual/In-Person awards ceremony on August 28 at Infinite Energy Forum.
For more information about Rainbow Village and its programs, please visit www.rainbowvillage.org.
About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.
