The Economy and Neighborhoods

Foreclosures, unemployment and a weak economy are wreaking havoc in neighborhoods and families across the country. What can neighborhood organizations do while under economic siege?

Here are a few ideas:
• Organize! Fight crime, tutor students, improve parks, and protect neighborhoods against the threats that come with tough times.
• Communicate. Educate and inform residents, public officials, and investors about what’s good in the ‘hood. Use organizing, websites, blogs, and e-newsletters to nurture and sustain relationships necessary to build community.
• Expand capacity of leaders and staff . Grow skills and technology to organize, communicate, develop, and raise funds in today’s (and tomorrow’s) environment.
• Tighten the belt. Focus on the core mission – a necessity now, but a discipline that always pays off.
• Build a project pipeline that will be shovel-ready when the economy revives. Do research, complete designs, prepare pro formas, and establish community support.
• Think green. Future job growth, many predict, will emanate from green technology.
• Identify infrastructure needs – physical and social – and advocate for them.

Public funds soon will flow to rebuild our infrastructure. Communities that are well-organized and "investment-ready" stand the best chance of getting those resources -- and bouncing back first when the economy rebounds.

It won't be easy, but we can't just wait around and do nothing, can we? What are your ideas?

Salaam Saturday: Promoting Peace in South Shore

Salaam Saturday 2008, an event planned and sponsored by Richard Muhammad and the South Shore Youth and Community Project, was kicked off June 7 at Parkside Community Academy's playground. Salaam Saturday is devoted to community building by offering a day of peace with music, food, face painting and fun for youth, adults and families while claiming the playground as a public space for healthy interaction. This is the second year Salaam Saturday has been in existence.

The monthly play days are a proactive approach to creating unity and promoting peace. The next Salaam Saturday is tentatively scheduled for July 12 at Parkside's playground, located at 71st St. and East End Ave., just 2 1/2 blocks east of Stony Island Avenue.

Sensei James Muhammad and other representatives of the United Schools of Survival led youth in martial arts exercises and Def was our deejay.

A big thanks went out to Volunteers Demetrice Willis, and teenagers Tianna Barnett and Tiara Barnett; Final Call assistant editor Ashahed Muhammad and his family for helping out; Abdul Bah, who gave out some lessons in soccer; Robyn Washington, who sent a donation from Baltimore, Md.; the Chicago-based Black United Fund’s David Robinson, who dropped off a donation for the day, Washington Park resident Jameszetta James and J. Michael Carr, of Fathers for the Future, and his family who stopped by to lend some hands as volunteers.

To see beautiful photos by Final Call photographer Kenneth Muhammad, visit http://straightwords.typepad.com/photos/salaam_saturday_08/index.html

For more information, to join us or provide support, contact Richard Muhammad at 773-616-5058, or e-mail straightwords@sbcglobal.net.

Shrinking the food desert

There's a new farmers market on 61st and Dorchester in Woodlawn. It bustled with shoppers, the beets were fresh and going fast and the nine vendors nearly sold out of everything. This is one great step toward building healthier communities, especially because of the scarcity of fresh produce in this area. We can't wait to see how this market grows. Enjoy the sights and sounds!

Click here to view it full size.

Neighborhood tours announced for conference

Five neighborhood tours have been announced for the March 26-27 community development conference in Chicago. The two-day meeting, Getting It Done: New Tools for Communities, will be hosted by 16 Chicago neighborhoods that have planned, launched and executed the nation's largest demonstration in comprehensive community development, the New Communities Program (NCP).

The gathering will bring together hundreds of street-level experts in everything from youth programming and safety to retail development and health care. Chicago practitioners will be joined by counterparts from other cities around the nation that are launching similar comprehensive community development programs.

Below are details of the five tours. Find the full conference schedule and more information here.

LOGAN SQUARE: SCHOOLS
Learn how the Logan Square Neighborhood Association built a nationally recognized program of parent and community involvement at school-based "community learning centers" that offer afternoon and evening programming.

WEST HAVEN: RETURNING PRISONERS
St. Leonard's Ministries explains how it helps former prisoners re-enter the community through training, supportive housing and attention to basic needs. Includes discussion with program participants and tour of the Michael Barlow Center and its food-service training kitchen.

PILSEN: JOBS AND MORE
Visit the Instituto del Progreso Latino , which offers comprehensive bi-lingual programming ranging from adult education and immigration services to financial counseling and employment services at its Center for Working Families.

QUAD COMMUNITIES: REBIRTH
The Cottage Grove Revitalization Initiative combines student-created artworks, CleanSlate beautification crews, city investments and aggressive retail recruitment – and it is getting results. Hosted by Quad Communities Development Corporation and Little Black Pearl Art & Design Center .

LITTLE VILLAGE: PARTNERSHIP
Take a trip to densely populated La Villita (Little Village), where a university, corporate sponsor and local public schools are working with Little Village Community Development Corporation to develop a dormitory for student teachers working in the community – plus a new community center and park.