Columbus youth council wins Georgia Forward placemaking grant for ‘Kindness Rocks’ project

The Columbus Youth Advisory Council has been awarded a youth placemaking grant through Georgia Forward and the Georgia Municipal Association to support a “Kindness Rocks” project at Pop Austin Recreation Center, council members heard at a work session.

Lucille Chaudhry, then president‑elect and now president of the youth council, thanked the council for enabling the application and described the project’s goal: to foster support, connection and positive messages across the community. “When we were first planning…we wanted to see where we could foster support, connection, and community,” Chaudhry said. “We thought through the Kindness Rocks project…we're really excited to see where it goes.”

Holly Bridal, director of Parks and Recreation, said Pop Austin serves therapeutic‑recreation participants who operate an ADA‑accessible garden throughout the year and use grown produce in cooking activities that reinforce life and social skills. Bridal said inserting the youth council project there will create intergenerational engagement and extend “the kindness that we all want to see in our community.”

Representatives of Georgia Forward and the Georgia Municipal Association praised the council’s support for youth leadership and presented a ceremonial check. Officials said the grant supports childhood literacy and leadership programs statewide and funds local youth‑led placemaking projects.

Council members and staff said they expect the work to proceed in the fall when weather cools and to include a photo opportunity and a formal check presentation.

The project will be administered through Parks and Recreation; council previously approved a resolution to apply for and accept the grant if awarded.