CommunityCollab latest work updates

Jeanne: schoolcuts.org

Cassie: IM Green Recycling has a brand new Free Clothing Recycling program that not only diverts 13+ million tons of clothing from ending up in our landfills but provides a stream of income that goes directly back into participating organizations/businesses. If you would like to learn more about how your organization can recycle at your organization/business or next event please contact Cassie A. Jones at IM Green Recycling at cassie@imgreenrecycling.com and 713.288.9714.

Danie: I've been posting network maps showing people I've been connecting with and growth of network of people I'm trying to connect with. http://tutormentor.blogspot.com/search/label/network%20analysis . I'm hosting Tutor/Mentor Conference in Chicago on Nov. 19 and hope representatives of some of these groups will volunteer to host workshops, panel discussions and forums. The web site is http://www.tutormentorconference.org

Danie: With the NATO summit in Chicago in May I posted this article about how we might adopt planning strategies used by Generals to assure a better distribution of programs and resources in high poverty areas. http://www.scribd.com/daniel-f-bassill-7291/d/93233051-Planning-Cycle-War-on-Poverty

I host a conference every six months in Chicago to bring people together who are involved in this work. The next is June 14 at First Unitarian Church in Hyde Park. I'm still looking for programs to be part of panels and talk for a few minutes about what they do. See http://www.tutormentorconference.org

Sheri: The Jane Addams Resource Corporation promotes strong communities, businesses, and households to ensure that people who work do not live in poverty. JARC provides high quality skills training and support services to help lower income and unemployed workers achieve self-sufficiency. JARC provides economic and workforce development services to businesses to improve their competitiveness.

Since 1985, JARC has offered a range of social, economic and educational services. Current program offerings include: manufacturing training for incumbent workers and disadvantaged job seekers, adult basic education tutoring, English as a Second Language classes, computer training, financial coaching, business services and real estate development. Clients come from throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. In fiscal year 2011, JARC served 1,396 clients.

Brett: We've been working on getting out new blog, Digital Placemaking, off the ground! http://digitaplacemaking.com

Angeline: Currently engaged in a comprehensive community development strategy in collaboration with our local school district, unions, university and nonprofits entitled "Schools as Hubs." Schools as Hubs is a STRATEGY (not a program) for organizing the resources of the community around student success. This initiative is intended to make a school – a place that already acts as a natural anchor for kids – the center of an entire neighborhood. Its integrated focus on academics, services, supports and opportunities leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Therefore, even though this strategy is anchored at schools, it is truly a tool to engage neighborhoods and communities. Not only will kids learn at their school, but that school will become a hub outside of normal schools hours for an entire neighborhood, offering services like…

• Out-of-school activities and enrichment
•Parent involvement
•Medical and dental services
•Mental health services
•Social services
•Adult education
• Community and economic development

What does this comprehensive approach create? It creates a neighborhood of people engaged in having their needs met while building community with each other. It is creating a neighborhood that ultimately takes care of one another. Our goal is to transform the way our community provides support for our kids and delivers services to our neighborhoods simultaneously!

Gary: KING project, along with WMU "Spring Into the Streets" and Volunteer Kalamazoo, recently fielded 40+ volunteers to do yard work and pour concrete footings for 34 solar-powered light posts.

John: Our Community has recently turned 4 vacant lots into a community garden and 2 other lots into a flower garden. We are working with the Alderman to get a fence.

Alma: Manage the implementation of economic development initiatives in Beaverton Oregon.

Gary: Convened Kalamazoo Initiative for Neighborhood Growth. A loose-knit coalition of area service agencies affecting housing and neighborhood revitalization.

Gary: rural innovation center feasibility study

Danie: Spent all of February updating and editing nearly 2000 links in library at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org

Set up video channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/TutorMentorInstitute?feature=watch

Orrin: Development with our partners of a project that integrates an urban farm, school garden and community garden project on adjacent sites on the south side of Chicago.

Orrin: Launching See Potential project that integrates photography with community engagement and development.
Releasing concept papers Green Integral Residential Building Project and Urban Agriculture: A Reassessment

Christopher: Involved in youth education training, assisting individuals with physical and mental disabilities and supporting seniors with functional living.

David: Connecting praxis with policy opportunities in the area of financial capability and empowerment

Heather : Regional capacity building and strategic planning.

jackie: Revitalizing main street with pop-up arts incubator.

Caitlin: Market Analysis of Housing in Chicago's Austin Community

Anne Marie : The Hopkins Police Department has revised thier mission statement, values and strategic goals to better align with the community policing philosophy.

Joan: I'm working on a street promotion for one of the commercial corridors in Southwest Rochester, NY. Also, working to fill vacant commercial space along five commercial streets in the neighborhood.

Asiaha : Invest in Englewood campaign that focus on the economic sustainability of the Englewood neighborhood. Currently the President of R.A.G.E (Resident Association of Greater Englewood) who is taking the lead on the Green Healthy Neighborhood land use project.

Lisa: As a nfp healthcare org, launched a mobile produce truck 9 months ago in an effort to increase access to affordable fruits and vegs to neighborhoods of need in our community. Contract w/for profit home grocery delivery company to purchase the produce and manage the ops. We currently make 16 stops/week and accept food stamps as well as cash, credit and debit cards for payment. Our service is year round. We just exceeded 10,000 sales transactions in 9 months!

clarence j.: Mobile Food Vending & Entrepreneurship as Vehicle to Aid Young Men with Challenges Develop.