Village of Promise recognized as Nonprofit of the Year

HUNTSVILLE – A goal at Village of Promise, which strives to empower families to break the
cycle of poverty, is to play a key role in building a better community within Alabama’s largest city.

The Huntsville-Madison County Chamber took notice.

Village of Promise was named the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year at the Chamber’s Small Business Awards event. The 38th annual gala was held Sept. 28 at the Von Braun’s Center Saturn Ballroom, where winning businesses and individuals in 15 categories were honored.

“We congratulate our fellow contenders in the Nonprofit of the Year category for the hard work done by all to make Huntsville and Madison County a better place to live,” Village of Promise CEO Dana Gillis said. “The Village of Promise is humbled and honored to be recognized for our work in the Northwoods community.

“Thanks to our many partners who walk this journey with us – together, we will continue on our quest to transform lives, one family at a time.”

Northwoods is a Huntsville Housing Authority property in the northwest area of the city.

The Village uses a targeted, multigenerational approach that provides age-based and
need-related programming so families can conquer challenges, achieve dreams, and contribute to their community. It is a Family Advancement Center addressing the needs of children and families in distressed, high-poverty neighborhoods.

The Village said its mission is to advance families out of the cycle of poverty using a multi-generational approach by providing educational programs, sustainable tools, and opportunities that empower children and their families to advance out of poverty.

Each family develops an “Individualized Family Advancement Plan” that addresses four
key areas of their lives: Education, Social and Emotional Growth, Physical Health and Wellness, and Professional Development.

Village officials thanked the Chamber for its economic development initiatives and opportunities that help move the community forward and allow for economic growth. Gillis and co-founder Bobby Bradley accepted the award on behalf of Village of Promise. Also in attendance was Board Chair Jane Daniel, Director of Development & Marketing Danielle
Hart, and Facilities Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Regina Miller.

Other nominees in the Nonprofit of the Year category were:

• Arts Huntsville
•  Aum Foundation
• AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter
• Christmas Charities Year Round
• Community Free Dental Clinic
• Cook Museum of Natural Science
• Greater Huntsville Humane Society
• HAPPI Health
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Huntsville College Preparatory School
• Huntsville Community of Hope
• Huntsville Sports Commission
• Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association
• Neighborhood Concepts
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Community
• The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship
• The Rosé Society, Inc.

For more information on Village of Promise, call 256-536-8052 and/or visit www.villageofpromise.org/ and social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.