Our Initiative

The Southside Communities for All Ages team has been involved in a variety of partnerships and initiatives that seek to further our three main goals: improving the relationship between southside and NAU, promoting the value of Southside’s historical and cultural contributions to Flagstaff and creating intergenerational gathering places in the community.

 

The Southside Community association, NAU, community organizations, local government , residents of different ages,  police department and university police and local businesses have been working together to increase positive relationships between older residents (many of whom are older adults) and new comers (students). Each of the team members and their representative organizations have taken on different roles and responsibilities to ensure the success of their work.  One of the most successful actions included a meeting in which the University came to the Southside to discuss and receive feedback on their "Master plan."  These discussions helped to clear up some misconceptions on both sides, begin building trust among the different groups and opening pathways for communication. 

 

The most tangible acheivements of the “good neighbor coalition” include: change in policing policy that connects the university more closely to crimes committed by students in the neighborhood that previously have been considered “off campus”, new increased information to local tenants and homeowners about neighborhood responsibilities, emergency services and neighbor tips, southside business and resident clean ups. Additionally, although the coalition cannot directly tie its efforts to recent business revitaluzation efforts, it is believed that having such a group has assisted in recent investments in the community.

 

Several partnerships have emerged from this coalition. We have had university students working more in the community as volunteers with local organizations and utilizing the community center for their events. The campus police is now working with residents to address concerns between long term residents and students.

 

 NAU has also begin to offer service learning opportunities that will help create long term benefits for local community residents.  These include graduate students in sustainability partnering with residents to help maintain and sustain neighborhood homes in an environmentally friendly way while lowering utility costs.   The team is working towards an agreement that will provide access to athletic facilities to local residents.

 

Since the CFAA has begun its work, Southside has been registered as a historical landmark.  Some historical markers have been placed in the community, and our team is continuing to develop this effort.  We have developed a range of partnerships that have provided opportunities for a broad range of intergenerational cultural events and civic engagement including

Spike Lee film festival in partnership with the Martin Springer institute and NAU. Residents and NAU faculty and community center staff helped facilitate discussion with an intergenerational group of community resdidents, NAU students and faculty relating to Lee’s work documenting Hurricane Katrina and issues facing Louisiana residents.

MLK celebrations in collaboration with the community center and NAU Black student Union. This event has led to on going collaborations with students from the Black Student Union and the Murdoch Community center

Intergenerational tribute to Black History month at the Murdoch Community center in partnership with NAACP. The event included NAU students, reps from City of Flagstaff, and local residents

Americorps Paint/Mural project: The creation of a mural that reflects the history of the Community center building and surrounding community. This is being created in partnership with local residents of all ages, Ethnic studies professor and artist from NAU and americorps and VISTA workers.  This process included an intensive process of community participation among residents of all ages in designing the themes and images for the mural.  The residents and students worked together prepping the building and the mural will be up by April 2011
Community history as service learning: 

An ethnic studies class at the NAU sponsored an oral history project in which students interviewed older African-American residents about their histories in southside, and compiled their oral histories with pictures and historical information to create interactive, creative presentations about Southside history.  There are future plans to develop similar history projects with the Latino, Asian and Nativr American communities.  A range of interactive historical exhibits will be housed in a "mini-museum" of the neighborhood within the Murdoch cultural center

 

There has been a focus on preserving and promoting the Murdoch Community Center as a focal point for neighborhood development. The opportunities at the Murdoch Community Center have helped build leadership and encourage community involvment among residents of different ages.   There are a wide range of opportunities for all ages to gain knowledge and skills to persist and thrive in the neighborhoods rapidly changing economic environment.  For example, local youth are providing opportunities for older adults to learn about technology and computers.  Other events bring together all ages including blood drives and toys for tots.