Portage Award for organizational partnership with Upper Monroe

This award was created in 2023.

Given to a group, an organization and/or an entity that has collaborated with UMNA on a project of importance to Upper Monroe. Given occasionally but not more than once each year.

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2024 Recipient - South East Area Coalition (SEAC)

The South East Area Coalition has recently been instrumental in the development of the newly formed Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition (MARC). In addiction over the last several years SEAC has initiated an annual community event at Wide Water Gardens featuring the release of thousands of Ladybugs along with family activities, food, music and more. 2024 June 27: Ladybug Day is the fourth annual event.

Staff: Mike Evans, Executive Director; Kiki Smith, Fundraising and Outreach Coordinator; Lori Wood, Bookkeeper; Nick Wilbur, Tool Shed Coordinator; and Sarah Glauser, Community Liaison.

2025 Recipient - Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition (MARC)

TheMonroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition (MARC) has been an essential partner with the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association in addressing the many, varied and complicated issues that have plagued Monroe Avenue. The constituent members of MARC form a Steering Committee to organize the efforts of hundreds of volunteers affecting the dozens of businesses and many thousands of residents and who live and work along or near the Monroe Avenue corridor.

Constituent groups of MARC:

• Lock 66 Neighborhood Association (Ted Benedict)

• Park Meigs Neighborhood Association (John Lembach)

• Pearl Meigs Monroe Neighborhood Association (Stephen Mokey)

• Monroe Avenue Merchants Association (Jen Plunkett)

• South East Area Coalition (Mike Evans, Elyssa Rossi)

• Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association (Rome Celli)

• Wadsworth Square Neighborhood Association (Dan McCabe)

• Highland Planning, LLC (Tanya Zwahlen)