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For the past few months, DASH (Dependable Affordable Sustainable Housing) has been hosting students with the LaGrange High School Service Club on a weekly basis.

DASH Marketing and Community Outreach Manager Gina Snider said students sign up to do different projects around Hillside for their needed service hours.

They have helped with cleanups, Paint the Town and are also working on future projects.

“When Angela Martin from the LHS PTO approached us, we were delighted to see the students’ willingness to help out our community,” Snider said.

Snider said she knew it would be a great opportunity for DASH and the LHS Service Club students.

“The students can see how their work impacts the community and our mission with neighborhood revitalization and how important that is,” Snider said. “They have been coming out and picking up trash the past couple of weeks in Hillside, and they can see the need for affordable quality housing in some of these neighborhoods. They can also see the need for community rallying around those less fortunate.”

Snider said the students are helping DASH achieve their mission of revitalizing the Hillside Historic District.

DASH was formed in 2002 to address growing concerns of inadequate, unsafe housing in LaGrange and the decline of its once thriving mill villages. Since then, DASH has bought property or land in the area to revitalize the houses or build new ones. DASH’s latest build was the Gables apartment complex on Jefferson Street. Snider said the students are making a major impact within the community and for DASH.

“It gives us a partnership with the youth of tomorrow and where they can see the impact of our work in these neighborhoods,” Snider said. “They can assist and when they go off to college and come back, they can see and remember where there is a need in their hometown community. They can bring their ideas to us and their experiences, so we can continue our mission of neighborhood revitalization.”

Snider said everyone at DASH is excited to see the partnership grow with the students.

“It is very inspiring and to see the youth come out and put their time and energy toward our mission on neighborhood revitalization,” Snider said. “They are so full of energy and optimism.”

Those looking to partner with DASH can call (706) 298-0221 or email info@dashlagrange.org for more information.

Those looking to donate can do so on the website at dashlagrange.org/about/donate.php or mail a check to 1302 Brownwood Ave, LaGrange, Georgia 30240. 

DASH accepts donations and discounts on materials and professional services to help support its programs. Snider said they continually need quality building materials, from carpeting to shingles, and services, from landscaping to architectural design.

Contact Snider for more information at (706) 298-0582.