Box 9, Folder 1, Document 46

Box 9, Folder 1, Document 46

December 18, 1969

Mr. Sam Massell

becea ect

Allan-Grayson Realty Compan
AQ Pryor Street, S. W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Massell:

At the request of Mrs. Day, I am presenting our problem
to you in this letter rather than waiting the several
weeks until you will be available to discuss it in per-
son.

As you know, the Atlanta Urban Corps is a student program
now operating through the Mayor's office. The program is
designed to offer students an avenue for constructive com-
munity service while expanding the relevance of their col-
lege education. The program has operated successfully since
June, but is now facing a very uncertain future.

The Atlanta Urban Corps is being caught in the squeeze of

the change of City Administrations. For six and one-half
months, (since June 16, 1969), the City of Atlanta allocated
$76,000 for the operation of the Urban Corps. This money
helped pay the compensation of City interns plus administra-
tion costs. In total, the program involved 300 students in
1969. We were asked to plan and document an expanded and
improved program for fiscal year 1970. Of a total budget

of $650,000, the City was asked to allocate $139,000 for
administration and City interns. The total program was de-
signed to include 660 students, of which 220 will work for
City departments. Mr. Milton Farris has decided to allocate
$40,000 to pay both matching costs and administration. The
matching costs alone will amount to some $38,000, éf our plans
develop as they should. Obviously, this will leave little to
operate an effective program.

Unfortunately, Mr. Farris is viewing the program only in dol-
lar terms. I feel he has overlooked some important consider-
ations concerning the Urban Corps. He has failed to grasp the
importance of a meaningful relationship between the needs of
the City and the potentials of the student community. It is
wasteful to disregard the motivations, energies and abilities
of the area students. We have plans and procedures to produce
Mr. Sam Massell
December 18, 1969
Page 2

an effective 1970 program to build upon the documented success
of our 1969 efforts. However, this serious budget cut, which

represents only 28.5% of our original request and merely 6% of
the total program cost, threatens to destroy the possibilities
of the Urban Corps.

In real terms, the Urban Corps needs at least $50,000 for
program administration. I am asking for your personal inter-
vention before the budget is passed to correct this situation.
Mr. Dan Sweat will be glad to discuss the program with you,
and is able to illustrate the benefits of the Atlanta Urban
Corps. Of course, I am available and welcome the opportunity
to discuss the matter with you at any time.

Sincerely,

Ken Millwood
Director

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