Strengthening Neighborhoods: A Poverty Reduction Initiative

A ReportPresented to the Waco City Council

on Monday, December 6, 2010

Now that I have seen,

I am responsible…Brooke Fraser, Albertine

12 Aspirations

The 5 DeliverablesThe 5 Deliverables

Best Practices of other cities who have reduced poverty

Current Research examples

Current Community Resources

Identification of Community Members who may be asked to serve on committees related to the Poverty Solutions Initiative

Possible Partners or Collaborators with the City of Waco

The 4 Groups: The 4 Groups:

Children: Aspirations 1 & 2

Economics: Aspirations 3, 4 & 11

Resources: Aspirations 5, 6, 7 & 8

Environment: Aspirations 9, 10, 12

A 5 Year Plan Choose a New Zip Code Every 2

Years

Assess and Evaluate Progress

Implement Plan

EvaluationDevelop

PlanChoose Zip Code # 1

Develop PlanChoose Zip Code # 2

Implement Plan

Choose Zip Code # 3

TimelineTimeline

2010 PSG-Functioning all year

Presentation to CC working session led by Jeff Wall with Kenneth Moerbe and Gaynor Yancey

CC approve handing off from PSG to Advance Community Practice Concentration to create a proposed poverty reduction plan to be presented to CC Dec. 2010

Transfer from Poverty Solutions group to BU SSW of the 12 aspirations

SSW hands off notebooks containing 5 deliverables, report, and timeline through presentation to CC

20112011

Choosing Sub-Committees 4 groups (w/flexibility): Economics, Children, Resources, Environment Membership reflects both citywide & neighborhood interests Alignment of chairs of each subcommittee

Development of Personnel Positions(PSC) Champion: Description, role/purpose Interns: BU and Americorps- (Request/ Proposal must be completed within in

2011) C.C.: HR Procedures around planning for positions

Examination & Visits to Best Practices (Subcommittees) Dudley St. Neighborhood Initiatives, Harlem Children's Zone, Open Table, Parent

Support Workshop(Judy Stacy), Union de Vecinos, Envision San Jose, CA-all encompassing, Oakland CA-economics, Teen Empowerment Program, Prospect Park Alliance , Wisconsin-Online Resources Guide, Kiosks, Boston Private Initiative Council-Economic

Choosing Zip Code #1 (PSC) Priority given to CDBG Inclusive of asset/needs assessments (Interns)  

20122012

Hire champion and personnel positions: needs funding to take place 

Zip Code #1 Choose area in Zip Code #1 to begin implementation Select aspirations that need to be developed and partnerships to be

created Develop a plan to apply best practices (Sub Com) Identify & Enlist Community Leaders Dialogue with and/or at community hubs (churches, school, libraries,

cafes) Survey of community members, preview plan to community, and hold

focus groups

Work alongside neighborhood to establish partnerships to raise associations and create buy ins

20132013

Zip Code #1

Implement Plan for Best Practices at the beginning of the year

Zip Code #2

Choose New Zip Code

20142014

Zip Code #1 Celebrate benchmarks of progress Evaluation at the end of the year

Zip Code #2 Develop plan

20152015

Zip Code #1 Continual evaluation and determination of next

steps

Zip Code #2 Implement plan

Zip Code #3 Choose New Zip Code

Recommendations Recommendations

Participatory bottom-up involvement should be employed rather than and top-down approach in order to ensure community ownership of the plan as it is created and implemented.

The plan should be implemented emphasizing an asset-based development approach rather than a needs-based relief oriented perspective.

Interdisciplinary interns should be utilized to provide multiple perspectives in the implementation of plans and research. Proposals for interns should be made a year prior to their placement.

There should be a continuous search for funding proposals including government, private, and corporate sources. A marketing and fundraising team could conduct this task.

Committees should continue to conduct research in areas of best practices and current studies on aspiration topics.

Each Subcommittee should have at least one representative from the Steering Committee.

Residents of the Waco community should be discussed, considered, and treated with dignity and respect.

At least one representative that resides in the selected zip codes should serve on the committees and participate in the planning and implementation of any activities that occur in his or her neighborhood or zip code.

Now that I have seen,

I am responsible…

Brooke Fraser, Albertine