Working together: Renters united

In her “day job,” Dr. Melody Kelley is a teacher. She also works with Sandy Springs Together as a resident organizer. For her, it’s personal – she calls a Sandy Springs apartment community home. The group of residents she works with have negotiated a 100% increase in the community pest control budget, a remodeled laundry room and upgrades to trash maintenance. The community has even added a dog park!

“As an organizer, I am motivated by one ideal – you don’t have to be the leader in order to be a leader. When we use our collective voices, we become more than tenants, we become co-creators in our neighborhood and in the broader community.”

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