About
Project Green River
Project Green River is a free outdoor arts festival on Broadway June 4 + 5. The weekend festivities currently include regional bands, artists, and a short-films screening. All of the attractions will be held on Broadway (perpendicular to Main Street), and there will be one main performance stage, two indoor art galleries, a beer garden, a carnival with rides and games, vendors, artist booths, and food. The festival is not only about celebrating summer time in Green River, but also about raising money to build affordable houses for Green River residents. The event seeks to spread awareness of the extreme housing crisis in the small rural community and stimulate the struggling economy.
Project Green River needs help in the form of sponsors, participants (bands, artists, performers, vendors, artisans, crafters, etc.) and volunteers. We are currently taking submissions for music, short films, and art. Project Green River needs local (and not so local) volunteers for the week before (June 2-June 4) and the weekend of the festival (June 4-5). We need enthusiastic people who would like to greet festival attendees, provide information, set-up stages + chairs + sound equipment, break-down equipment, clean-up after the festivities, sell merchandise, run a raffle, etc. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt! Interested in selling handmade items at the festival or advertising at the festival? Spaces will be available along Broadway for entities either selling locally-made/hand-made items or organizations interested in advertising their services. Project Green River is being planned by the Green River Community Center’s Epicenter (the Economic Progress Instigation Center, an affordable housing and business resource center started by AmeriCorps VISTAs) and enthusiastic residents of Green River.
Email maria@projectgreenriver.org or call 435/564.3330 for more information on how to get involved, sponsor, or attend the festival.
Why Green River?
Generational poverty plagues the town of Green River forcing many to live in substandard conditions. A stable home is essential in encouraging a cohesive family environment, allows children to succeed in school, and allows parents to succeed in their work. There are many obstacles in Green River for families and individuals to have a stable home including few opportunities, little or no assistance, and few resources. With so few housing options many are homeless, and there is no temporary housing assistance. Many of the families who become homeless are forced to move in with relatives which causes overcrowding and inconsistency within the home. The most frustrating aspect of the housing crisis in Green River is the abandoned hotels, abandoned houses, empty lots, dilapidated mobile homes, and vacant commercial buildings. However, Green River has immense potential. Providing affordable housing is part of the solution. Project Green River seeks to raise funds for a long term response to the needs of the community and offer those who are underprivileged the possibility of a more sustainable future. Green River needs good, quality housing. The community of Green River has been under-served for far too long and it is time to rebuild a community in desperate need.
Located in rural Southeastern Utah, Green River has a population of 970 and 73% of the youth attending local schools qualify for free or reduced fee lunch. The median household income is $28,000, which is 47% below the median income for the State of Utah, and 33% below the median income for the country. Of the families in Green River, 54.7% earn below $35,000 per year. In Green River, 19.8% of children (under age 18) live in poverty, with a total of 153 individuals (15.6%) living below the national poverty level. Average rent was $413 per month, with home-owner mortgage costs at $724 per month. Only 6.0% of homeowners have a mortgage cost under $500 per month. 21.9% of homeowners and 27.6% of renters are paying rent/mortgages totaling above 30% of their gross income (an unaffordable rate). Of the population, only 9% have achieved an education level of bachelor’s degree or higher. Only 11 individuals (2.6% of the population) work in professional services industry (including scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services). Only 29 individuals (6.9% of the population) are self-employed in their own not-incorporated business. (Source: US Census Bureau)
The Green River Community Center
Recently approved for a USDA Rural Development grant, the Green River Community Center is on the brink of creating a successful affordable housing program. The Community Center is a non-profit entity which operates as a Boys & Girls Club, Food Bank and soup kitchen, with preschool & Headstart Programs, Thrift Store, and most recently productive efforts in the areas of affordable housing. The Green River Community Center is the only place the youth, the poor, hungry, and needy can go in within 60 miles for help. The USDA grant pays for the renovation (and first year of operations) of a 103-year-old building on South Broadway which will house the Economic Progress Instigation Center (The Epicenter). Started by three Auburn University College of Architecture, Design, and Construction alumni (known for the Rural Studio), the Epicenter provides affordable housing resources and instigates sustainable business development. Design and architecture services do not exist in Green River (or for over 50 miles in any direction), but with the creation of the Epicenter this will be a much needed service. By providing a place for the community to seek assistance and to help provide the resources to home ownership, temporary assistance, and various opportunities for businesses it will help sustain a community in desperate need and provide hope towards prosperity and growth.
The Economic Progress Instigation Center (Epicenter)
Providing affordable housing resources and instigating sustainable business development, the Epicenter works with the community to help employ those who need assistance. The Epicenter is comprised of citizen architects and designers ready to serve others and use their talents as a way to make real changes with real effects. Volunteers offer training to aid families who need financial support and help gain the experience to secure or seek employment. The Epicenter works with local contractors and educates local builders on the importance of building efficiently and implementing sustainable designs. The Epicenter invites community members for their input throughout the various design phases of the projects. All of this assures a sense of pride and ownership in helping to rebuild one’s community. The Epicenter needs assistance to help end generational poverty that plagues the area. The community of Green River has been under-served for far too long and it is time to rebuild a community in desperate need.
The Epicenter works closely with the City of Green River, Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country, the Rural Community Assistance Corporation, the United States Department of Agriculture, Auburn University’s Rural Studio, H.E.R.O. [Hale Empowerment & Revitalization Organization], Coal Country Housing and Development Corporation, the University of Utah: Architecture + Planning, and the architect Marlon Blackwell. These partnerships have significantly helped the Epicenter move forward on design/building affordable houses in Green River and rebuilding the headquarters of the Green River Community Center, who had its roof collapse last November and currently operates out of an inadequate building.