Community Center of South Decatur

The Community Center of South Decatur is a non-profit organization which is working to build a better South Decatur. Incorporated in 1979, the organization worked for many years to facilitate the redevelopment of the historic Scottish Rite Children's Hospital located at 321 West Hill Street in the Oakhurst business district.

Now, two decades of work by community activists have come to fruition. The renovation is complete, with the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, an art gallery and Progressive Redevelopment Incorporated, which completed the renovation project, among the tenants.

The Community Center of South Decatur also operates The Solarium At Historic Scottish Rite non-profit organization and property. This historic property is available for rental as the perfect place for weddings, commitment ceremonies, family gatherings, and organizational meetings.

* Proof of Non-Profit 501-C3 Status is required (Non-Profit Rate available for Sunday –Thursday only April-December)

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Decatur Preservation Alliance

The Decatur Preservation Alliance, a newly formed non-profit organization to raise funds for the preservation of historic buildings, landmarks, and green space in Decatur, Georgia.

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Friends of Oakhurst Green Space (FROGS)

A grassroots neighborhood volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of natural green space in the Oakhurst community. As members of the community we believe that the preservation of urban green space and the restoration of natural wildlife habitat contributes to the overall quality of life in our neighborhood. FROGS is concerned with the removal of invasive plants such as kudzu, privet, and wisteria which destroy trees and choke out native plants. We restore the natural green space by planting trees, shrubs and other plants native to the area. FROGS currently cares for three natural spaces in Oakhurst and we meet once a month on designated Saturdays to help maintain our projects. We are an outgrowth of Trees Atlanta and frequently welcome outside volunteers to help care for our green space.  We maintain an email list and send out reminders of our monthly work days.

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Oakhurst Community Garden Project

The Oakhurst Community Garden Project teaches environmental awareness to diverse local students through hands-on gardening and outdoor education programs. We are dedicated to empowering young people to become active members of the community by engaging in projects that address real needs. Respect for the earth and each other underlies all our efforts. By teaching about wellness, teamwork, and conservation, we hope to empower youth to take charge of their own health, as well as that of the environment.

Within walking distance of four elementary schools, Renfroe Middle School, Decatur High School and Agnes Scott College, the site offers ample opportunity for intergenerational activities. It has become a living laboratory for nature studies with a mature woodlot, a wetland meadow and the original garden beds. We now proudly house bees, rabbits, chickens and two pygmy goats. Students from Agnes Scott College and Emory University serve as interns. The initiative to empower youth to become active members of the community by engaging them in projects that address real needs has proven very successful.

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Oakhurst Neighborhood Association

The Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (ONA) is a civic organization for and by the residents of Oakhurst. ONA strives to be an important part of the neighborhood by distributing information and providing opportunities for residents to grow our community. ONA meets the fourth Monday of every month at 7 pm in the Solarium at the Community Center located at the corner of Oakview Road and West Hill Street. At these meetings we introduce topics and guest speakers relevant to the unique concerns of the Oakhurst community, and we leave plenty of time for open discussion.

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South Decatur Community Development Corporation

The SDCDC was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1994 to address some specific concerns of South Decatur residents. The organization received a major boost when the City of Decatur donated the commercial building at 350 Mead Road to the SDCDC in 1998. The organization sold the building, which is now occupied by several businesses and the proceeds are now invested with the income available to reinvest for the betterment of our community.

The SDCDC mission is to have a positive, measurable impact on the economic and cultural development of the South Decatur Community.

While we continue our support, the SDCDC’s short list of initiatives to benefit our community include…

	Sponsoring the annual Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival in Harmony Park at the corner of East Lake Drive and Oakview, celebrating its 6th year on Saturday, October 11, 2003.
	Helping to preserve precious green space by purchasing a woodlot at the corner of Oakview and McDonough streets and leasing it back to the Oakhurst Community Garden Project. Restructuring that financial arrangement in 2002.
	Approved additional funding to complete the renovation of Harmony Park.
	Partnering with neighborhood groups and individuals in efforts to educate and raise money for senior citizen tax relief.
	Making small grants to community based organizations for start-up and ongoing projects including the Oakhurst Leaflet, street sign toppers, tree plantings, a tutoring program and much more.
	Approved a $25,000 grant and a $25,000 loan to the South Decatur Community Center for the purchase and installation of hardwood flooring and upgraded lighting.

South Decatur is defined geographically by census tracts 227 and 228 – College Avenue to the north, Pharr Road to the south, S. Columbia Drive to the east and Madison Avenue to the west.

SDCDC invites both community residents and other supporters to become members. The basic annual membership is $20, which allows you to become actively involved in program planning and in the management process. Our neighborhood depends on the support of the people who live and work here.

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