Driving around Selma, you may notice some streets inundated with litter, neighborhoods overwhelmed by dilapidated or neglected buildings or even communities threatened by acts of crime. Selma Mayor George Evans desires to turn these negative images around into something positive for the area.

Evans, along with the Selma City Council and Selma-Dallas County Leadership, will hold a free breakfast Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 a.m. inside the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center to encourage church leaders, who impact their communities, to reach out and ignite positive change.

“The goal is for the churches in our community to take back our neighborhoods,” Evans said. “Churches need to come together as one; we want a neighborhood that three or four churches can be responsible for — reach out and help people.”

Evans, who believes everyone should have the chance to be safe in their homes, schools, businesses, and live in a clean environment, said the purpose is for churches and congregations to be a part of their communities.

“We want to send a message that we need to come together, to work together to improve our city,” Evans said. “Whether it’s Good Samaritan help, grass cutting (and) weeding, homes that need to be revitalized, neighborhood watch programs or addressing crime.”