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Activities promote unity

By Kirsten J. Barnes
Photos by Lloyd Gallman
Montgomery Advertiser

One Montgomery company is taking a different approach to property reinvestment by providing recreational and social activities for residents in the apartment buildings it owns.

Summit Asset Management owns and operates six apartment complexes in Montgomery and Prattville , and has interests in senior independent and assisted-living communities and manufacturing. One of its goals is to promote community-based activities and provide the essentials to keep them going.

"Part of the company philosophy is to try and forge a link with YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs," said Mike Sherman, communications director for Summit . "We try to make it a community."

For years the company has encouraged and helped organize Bible studies, community watch meetings, chat and chews, quilting, bingo and other activities for residents. The company this year launched a boys basketball team at Southlawn Commons in Montgomery .

In 2001, Summit America completed renovations to Southlawn Commons, formerly Windwood Apartments, in a neighborhood that had seen its share of crime and decline. New roofs, flooring, paint, appliances and landscaping were made to the commons 176-units, funding partially through a Alabama Housing Finance Authority program.

"This is a natural expansion of our after-school program," Sherman said of the basketball team.

Summit paid for the uniforms and is providing a coach for the team of seven boys, ages 13-15. They are Terelle Pressley, 15; Fred Turner, 14; Johnny Davis, 15; Orlando Hails, 13; Antonio Wiley, 14; Larry Webb Jr., 13; and Jonathan Turner, 15.

Hunter McKenzie, a financial analyst at Summit , volunteered to coach the team, which is part of the YMCA basketball league.

"I hope I can have an impact on them and help them walk away with a better understanding of the game," McKenzie said.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, McKenzie picks up the players and takes them to the downtown branch of the YMCA for practice. He takes them home after practice.

"Each time down the court you've got to play hard. You've got to fight for those points. The other team's not just going to give them to you," McKenzie told the boys during a recent practice.

And although, they've yet to win a game, the boys are winners all the same because they are learning and growing.

"(Playing on the team) helps me out practicing my basketball skills," Fred, a player said. "We never had no team out there."

Another player, Antonio, said McKenzie is a good coach and he enjoys being on the team.

"I'm improving in everything: free throws, shooting and defense," Antonio said.

Some of the boys are 15, so they won't be able to return. But the younger ones can and there are others who will be eligible by next year.

"Hopefully if we can build on this year and put together a team next year, some of these guys will be back," McKenzie said. "That first win is right around the corner."

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