Our Initiative

Our Communities for All Ages:

The goal of our Communities for All Ages coalition is to build strong relationships between residents, businesses, providers and government entities that will result in unified efforts to create policies, practices, and public places that support and benefit our community.
Our coalition’s goal is to improve the quality of life for those who work, play and live in Central City South through resident driven processes.

Our team
Phoenix Revitalization Corporation** www.phxrevitalization.org
City of Phoenix HOPE VI www.phoenix.gov
City of Phoenix- Parks & Recreation www.phoenix.gov
City of Phoenix - Community Initiatives www.phoenix.gov
Valley Christian Centers www.vccenters.org
Association for Supportive Childcare www.asccaz.org
Girl Scouts - Arizona Cactus Pine Council www.girlscoutsaz.org
Marcos De Niza Tenant Council n/a
Arizona Public Service www.aps.com
Harmon Library www.phoenix.gov
Maricopa Skills Center www.maricopaskillcenter.com
Community Food Connection www.foodconnect.org

Our Initiative Funders: Arizona Community Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, and State Farm

Phase of development: implementation

Our Community for All Ages team has maintained an intentional focus on building the leadership capacity of community residents of all ages, training them to identify community strengths and challenges and how to work for change. One of the most successful aspects of our initiative has been the development of the Community Grassroots Leadership Academy. Now in its 6th year, the academy trains youth, adults and elders how to increase resident awareness and utilization of community resources and how to use intergenerational strategies to address issues including safety, blight and encroachment of major downtown development. To date, 20 academy classes have trained over 183 residents ranging from ages 12-72.

The success of the leadership academy has resulted in positive changes for individuals, organizations and the community:

• Many of the participants of different ages reported finding their own voice and confidence through their participation in the leadership groups. After graduating, a number of residents have continued to work in leadership roles in our community. For example, one young person who began the training feeling unsure of her ability to engage others has now organized her neighbors to form a local “block watch” association. In 2011, more than 10 youth and adult graduates joined the Leaders Connecting Mentor Program. These mentors attend two monthly community meetings and trainings and share what they have learned with neighbors and family members.
• An intergenerational perspective has now been infused into the mission, practices and programs of the collaborating organizations participating in the Communities for All Ages Initiative. Some examples include: the Quilting Project developed by the Girl Scouts: an interactive quilt making project that engages seniors and youth to have conversations and work together; the Community Connection Fair, a multi neighborhood and stakeholder event, that encourages participants of all ages to attend and invites resources for all ages to share their programs. The entertainment program includes diversity in ages as well as cultures.
• The Communities for All Ages Initiative has also been included in the Community Action Team (CAT) which started with just two residents. CAT now meets regularly and has representation from 13 different neighborhoods. The network created from the CAT has enabled us to create a stronger voice for community change. The recognition of the success of the Communities for All Ages work has enabled us to leverage additional funding of almost 100,000 per year for three years in the Phoenix Neighborhood Development Collaborative Initiative.
  

UPDATE ON THE COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM (CAT)

The objectives of the CAT, as agreed upon by the collaboration, are, “Fighting crime, blight and building a safer community together. Leading, directing and guiding community change! Keeping the community informed!” Through these collective efforts, all thirteen neighborhoods now regularly communicate and collaborate on community revitalization efforts. Initiated by CAT members, the Central City South Quality of Life Plan was written and produced in 2010. The QLP was unveiled at PRC’s 2010 Annual Meeting and Exhibit, and is part of the long term process of improving the quality of life in CCS neighborhoods. Our residents recognize it is imperative they use their collective voice, as they know they have a difficult time being heard working alone. Residents of all ages have joined the work as “Strategy Stewards” to drive the plan forward and guide the work.

Most impressive tangible achievements of the Police-Community Collaboration:

1) In terms of bricks-and-mortar, The HOPE VI Project of the City of Phoenix Housing Department was applied for, awarded and completed since April of 2006. Community support is a vital component in the HOPE VI process. The project removed a once blighted and high crime public housing project, which was replaced with quality housing and provides a safe environment for families and seniors. In 2011 Symphony, the second Hope VI project opened in Central City South.

2) In terms of crime reduction, there has been a 26% overall reduction in crime in Central City South, Phoenix from 2007-2009. This includes homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, auto theft, arson and drug crimes. Although crime has been reduced dramatically due to these combined efforts, our work is not done. The community still has a crime rate higher than other areas in metro Phoenix. There is more work to be done.

3) In terms of economic activity: Since the establishment of the CAT we have facilitated many neighborhood clean ups and removed tons of trash (including bulk trash) from the community. In addition, many members of the CAT have participated in the recently published Central City South Quality of Life Plan identifying eight strategies to improve the area. The most significant strategy is “Golden Threads,” stating that the neighbor-to- neighbor feeling and CAT events are critical to community sustainability.

4) In terms of additional tangible items, PRC and the CAT have expanded the CCS newsletter, to include information on safety and specific crime deterrents, topics and opportunities that impact their quality of life. The residents are more aware of the activities in their neighborhood and we know that awareness is essential to reducing crime. Each year 540,000 pages of information are hand delivered to the doorsteps of our residents, businesses and other stakeholders. (Our community has limited access to technology so it is still necessary to print and deliver our newsletter.)