COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community Development is important work for our neighborhoods. Through our community development efforts we have addressed crime, economic development and racism.
In the summer of 2000, as part of our Community Development initiative, we helped start the Broadway Improvement Group. This was an effort that emerged when Broadway residents became concerned about the loss of business in their neighborhood. Particularly the loss of Econofoods... which was a convenient place to shop for groceries if you lived in the Broadway neighborhood and didn’t have a car. We brought together the stakeholders in this area to talk about their vision for the neighborhood and solicit their ideas about how to improve the neighborhood and its image.
We also recognize a need to be more supportive of families that are leaving welfare and entering or re-entering the world of work. Just because you've been moved off of welfare doesn't mean you've gotten out of poverty. We understand these issues both as a human service provider and also as an employer.
Some of our Community Development initiatives include:
Neighborhood Advisory Councils at three sites
Advisory Councils represent Neighborhood Centers to the neighborhood and help connect Center staff with neighborhood concerns. Outreach for Center events and programs. Councils are also able to respond to issues that impact the neighborhood. (example: participation in the Broadway Improvement Group)
Special Community Events
Study Circles (organized conversations about difficult issues),
Meetings with Police
Events with elected officials (educating residents about government, voting, local and state issues; sharing information with officials about issues critical to the neighborhood)
Supporting partnerships, such as Springmier Community Library (Clear Creek Amana School District)
Hosting PTO meetings on site to encourage attendance by parents in the neighborhood
Family Nights
Regular gatherings with families (Neighborhood Advisory Councils plan and implement) to create a sense of community, celebrate diversity, and share support and information. Can range from a gathering to eat and make valentines to celebrating Ramadan to a picnic and bike safety presentation.
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