Instructor Receives MLK Award for Work with Community Housing Residents

Opal Evans, the coordinator of the Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS), received Glendale’s “Promoting Inclusiveness Award” at the 2008 Martin Luther King Unity Day luncheon.

City Manager Ed Beasley and Community Partnerships Director Erik Strunk presented the award to Evans for her work to provide job skills training to Community Housing residents, who attend ROSS classes.

Through funding from HUD, the ROSS program offers participants mentoring and preparation to succeed outside pubic housing. The goal is to guide public housing residents to self-sufficiency and independence from assistance programs.

“Opal Evans encourages our residents to learn to develop their own, unique potential,” said Strunk. “Her tenacity has resulted in many partnerships with various local organizations to benefit the ROSS participants.”

Evans, who received a small sculpture of King, praised the honor as the most important one she’s received.

“My end of the torch from King is to fight poverty,” said Evans.

Glendale recently submitted a grant, prepared by Elaine Adamczyk and Housing Administrator Karen Russell, to extend the current three-year ROSS grant.

For more information on the ROSS program, contact Elaine Adamczyk at the Community Housing Division at 623-930-3702.