The Kalamazoo Initiative for Neighborhood Growth will hold the April business meeting at the Vine Neighborhood Association, 511 W. Vine St. in Kalamazoo, at 1:30 pm, 4/18/12.
We will review progress on the Lamp Post Project, finalize plans for the Youth Day of Service on 4/21, along with plans for LISC volunteers to help with assembly of the solar-powered light fixtures on 4/20.
We will also discuss the mid-and long-term plans and strategic direction for the KING group.
Attendees are challenged to read the articles on "Collective Impact" and be prepared to discuss how organizations can employ CI techniques in advancing the work/success of KING.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Kalamazoo Initiative for Neighborhood Growth (KING)
Neighborhood revitalization, social capital, community-building, and collective impact are all terms that come up at monthly meetings of the KING group. Designed to promote a more collaborative approach to revitalization efforts in Kalamazoo neighborhoods, agencies like Habitat for Humanity and Building Blocks meet with representatives from the County Land Bank and the City of Kalamazoo, to make plans and implement projects.
"There are a lot of community development efforts, by several agencies, but not a lot of cooperation and communication among them" said Kristin Ramer, formerly with the Land Bank, and now a program officer for LISC. She made this comment at a Building Blocks board meeting, where several members agreed to try to do something about it.
Starting in July 2011, the group has met monthly to explore ways in which their collective efforts might have a larger impact than going it alone on housing and other quality of life issues.
Shaun Wright, director at Community Home Works, recently led a "Light Up the Night " project that involved pouring concrete footings for 34 solar-powered lamp post fixtures in front yards along Rose and Burr Oak Streets, as well as Burr Oak Court. Volunteer Kalamazoo coordinated the efforts of WMU students as part of their Spring Into the Streets community service project.
More projects are planned for this multi-phase 3-5 year program, with new groups coming on board to expand the collective impact on our community - more to follow!
"There are a lot of community development efforts, by several agencies, but not a lot of cooperation and communication among them" said Kristin Ramer, formerly with the Land Bank, and now a program officer for LISC. She made this comment at a Building Blocks board meeting, where several members agreed to try to do something about it.
Starting in July 2011, the group has met monthly to explore ways in which their collective efforts might have a larger impact than going it alone on housing and other quality of life issues.
Shaun Wright, director at Community Home Works, recently led a "Light Up the Night " project that involved pouring concrete footings for 34 solar-powered lamp post fixtures in front yards along Rose and Burr Oak Streets, as well as Burr Oak Court. Volunteer Kalamazoo coordinated the efforts of WMU students as part of their Spring Into the Streets community service project.
More projects are planned for this multi-phase 3-5 year program, with new groups coming on board to expand the collective impact on our community - more to follow!
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