Pamela Cates has been an active resident and leader since 1986, when she moved into the Bradford Gwinnett Apartments in Norcross, Ga. Working hand-in-hand with the management staff, Cates helped to create a sense of community and pride among all the residents. She cofounded the Neighbors Network, the community's resident governing board, to address management needs, install improvements such as new playgrounds and walking paths, and organize a series of special events throughout the year, including holiday celebrations, movie nights, back-to-school events, and multicultural festivals. She sought federal assistance for a meal program for the community's low-income children, and established an on-site computer facility and secured foundation support to provide internet access and computer classes for residents.

 

A single mother of two, Pamela suffers from a degenerative disk disorder. In spite of the health challenges she faces daily, Pamela claims she gets back more than she gives: “All I have to do is spend a few minutes with the kids, seeing their faces, getting hugs from them, and hearing them say ‘thank you.'”

 

Bradford Gwinnett Apartments is a community development of the Gwinnett Housing Resource Partnership (GHRP), which helps people move from homelessness to home ownership. Services offered include community outreach, real estate and property management, and a homeownership center. GHRP's president and executive director Marina Sampanes Peed says, "Pamela has always been a strong advocate for the residents of Bradford Gwinnett. Her tireless efforts have given the residents pride in their own community. She is a true steward of GHRP's mission to transform lives and strengthen communities."