Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Henner.
Hi Madeleine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After college, I worked as a sociological research fellow, interviewing folks about their life stories. In these interviews, I realized the importance of community for creating stability and general well-being in a person’s life. Churches sent out food boxes, schools organized dental clinics, neighbors pitched in to cover utility bills, and friends dropped by to check in. When I returned home to Atlanta, I wanted to find a job that fostered the kind of community I’d experienced. When I saw Legacy Decatur’s mission to create a more “attainable, connected, and green” Decatur, I knew I had found my place.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many organizations, the Covid-19 pandemic certainly challenged us to rethink how we do things. Large, in-person events, which are the most visible examples of our work, were no longer an option, but the work of building community was more important than ever.
In response, we partnered with Decatur’s Downtown Development Authority to create the Decatur United Small Business Recovery Fund supporting local businesses during, let’s face it, some truly unprecedented circumstances. When all was said and done, the program provided a little over a million dollars in grants that, in conjunction with other forms of Federal support, kept many in our business community afloat.
We also shifted to activities better suited to distancing or remote participation. We continued our Tiny Legacies video series — which highlights people, organizations, and projects making Decatur a better place — and doubled down on our role as a fiscal sponsor for informal grassroots community groups that don’t have the resources or necessity to form their own independent nonprofit. Most notably, these included A Season of Giving, the city’s yearly program to ensure children and seniors at risk still receive holiday gifts; and Friends of the Decatur Cemetery, who augment city maintenance staff in the restoration and upkeep of this historic treasure — the largest public greenspace in Decatur outside of the recently acquired Legacy Park and the oldest burial ground in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Speaking of Legacy Park, its ongoing management and programming is another aspect of our work, which we perform on behalf of and in partnership with the City. Working together with a team of dedicated volunteers, we provided critical outdoor distractions to keep folks sane — a safe place to run on trails, meet friends for a distanced-picnic or read a book on the sunny field.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As stated in our mission, Legacy Decatur “grows programs, partnerships, and resources that create and support a positive legacy for Decatur.” In practice, these efforts tend to focus on community-building, environmental stewardship, and housing for those who need it most — and on supporting grassroots groups whose own efforts align with ours.
One of our central responsibilities is the management of the City of Decatur-owned Legacy Park, a 77-acre urban oasis with historic buildings, a pond, nature trails, woodlands, and meadows. Formerly the site of the United Methodist Children’s Home, the Legacy Park property has long served as a source of good in the community.
A robust civic engagement process produced the master plan we’re now tasked with implementing, including greenspace preservation, affordable housing and artist spaces, and expanded recreational opportunities to create a welcoming and engaging place for a strong and diverse community.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Put as simply as possible, our success is ultimately rooted in the partnerships and collaborations we’re able to forge. Some of these improve our city in small increments, like Decatur Active Living and Decatur High School Cross Country using our fields and running trails to promote recreation. Or Trees Atlanta working to remove the park’s invasive plants to repopulate its natural areas with native species.
But other partnerships have the potential for profound change. For example, in a partnership with the City of Decatur and the Decatur Housing Authority, Legacy Park will soon be home to 132 units of affordable housing, with construction starting in 2023.
Elsewhere in Legacy Park, which includes an administration building and many stand-alone structures, we lease below market-rate office space to nonprofit organizations who each bring unique and complementary value to the community. The Wylde Center leads environmental education field-trips, expanding young people’s access to nature. Paint Love offers trauma-informed art classes with scholarships for low-income children. Global Growers Network operates a two-acre, 30-plot community garden for immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC growers that expands biodiversity welcomes pollinators and celebrates the diversity of people and food. Wild Nest ensures that Legacy Park continues to be a safe place for birds. L’Arche, an organization in support of people with intellectual disabilities, hosts inclusive community events. Decatur Education Foundation supports Decatur students by providing scholarships, mentorships, and mental health services. Refugee Women’s Network welcomes refugees with social and economic adjustment services. Compassionate Atlanta collaborates with local nonprofits to create a more compassionate society. Frank Hamilton School brings music and joy with their classes, events, and outdoor jams. Community events, festivals, food truck dinners, and picnics at Legacy Park invite folks to enjoy natural spaces in their community.
Cultivating a legacy takes resources, particularly financial ones. The work that Legacy Decatur does at Legacy Park and beyond depends on the generous support of the community in all its facets. Please visit https://legacydecatur.org/give to donate.
Another way to support our work is to host an event at Legacy Park. With a beautiful stone chapel, dining room, small auditorium, various meeting spaces, and ample outdoor areas, we would love to work with you! Visit https://decaturlegacypark.com/facilities-rental to learn more.
Contact Info:
- Website: legacydecatur.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decaturlegacypark
Image Credits
The three landscape photos were taken by HECTOR ARMANDO HERRERA. The two images of buildings were taken by Scott Doyon. The event photo is comes from @decaturbeerfest Instagram.
