Week 7: Class Reading - Katie

Chapter 5: “Understanding Communities”

The reading uses Warren’s definition of community which is, “the organization of social activities that affords people access to what is necessary for day-to-day living, such as the school, grocery store, hospital, house of worship, and other such social units and systems.”

The introduction outlines common concepts related to defining a community. These are: space, people, interaction, and shared identity. A community has specific dimensions as outlined in Fellin’s Dimensions of Communities. These include: Geographical Space, a pattern of social interaction, and symbolic identification that gives meaning to one’s identity.

The reading also covers numerous theories being applied to communities. One theory discussed is the systems theory. This can be used for a deeper understanding of the functioning of a community by assessing boundaries and maintenance needs within the community. One strength in this theory is addresses the fact that changes in one aspect of a community produces changes in other aspects in the community. One weakness cited to this theory is that it does not consider disagreements and deep divisions that may be present in the community. It is for this reason that assumptions about common purposes can be ignored using systems theory.

Systems theory is a great way to map out connections and relationships within a community. This leads to the section on capacity building and asset mapping. Recognizing informal units that are not publicly incorporated is and important aspect of capacity building and asset mapping. These informal units are often the backbone to the community and should be recognized when discovering strengths and opportunities for support within the community.

What do you like in your community? What aspects might you change?

Week 7: Class Reading - Hayley

Concepts and Theory of Local Economic Development by Blakely

The most traditional and commonly used definition of economic development is associated with the creation of wealth, which most often includes activities involved in increasing taxes, creating jobs, etc.  This is why economic development needs to be defined much differently.  The author offers a much more long-term focused definition to economic development that might be more suitable.  It focuses on local economic development based on a community’s standard of living, focuses on reducing inequality, and focuses on promoting sustainability.  The author also offers many brief overviews of theories related to economic growth and development, but explains further five theories that have been influential in understanding economic development.

The first theory is neoclassical economic theory.  This theory asserts that all economic systems will reach a state of equilibrium if capital flows without restrictions.  The issue with this is this model does not work perfectly.  The community must use its resources to attract capital, which it may not be doing, and disadvantaged communities should look to get resources to reach equilibrium of surrounding communities, which is much easier said than done.

The second theory is economic base theory, which focuses on export.  This theory poses the thought that economic growth is based on a community’s outside demand for certain goods, services, and resources.  If local resources produce goods that can be exported, then that community will achieve economic growth.  This theory is helpful in understanding how exportation affects local economy, but does not focus on internal community demands.

The third theory is the product cycle theory.  This theory says that there is a cycle, beginning in areas of greater wealth, where specialized labor is used to create a product.  This product stays in this area of greater wealth until it is standardized and can be produced in areas with less wealth and more standardized labor.  It is important to remember with this theory that different labor industries move at different speeds, therefore requiring different amounts of intensity.

Location theories are focused on how firms choose their location.  This choice is typically influenced by production costs, transportation costs, resources, and space.  It is much different for different firms; therefore this theory is used more specifically.

Central place theory asserts the idea that a central area (typically an urban center) is supported by smaller places that provide it with resources.  It is most easily associated with retail and helps us to pick viable centers for supporting communities.

The author also introduces models in which economic development has affected practice.  The first is through attraction models which are used in development-seeking communities that are viewed as products.  It is focused on marketing communities to attract entrepreneurial firms.  The second is through New Market Models, which are focused more on poor and rural areas.  This model believes that these communities have potential for economic opportunity, but are not being utilized appropriately.  It focuses on the long-term, community assets, and finding ways to share the wealth, which is something we want to strongly influence economic development theory.

Finally, the author presents more modern components of economic development, which includes locality, business and economic base, employment resources, and community resources.  These concepts have been reformulated to focus on the community’s long-term standard of living, focus on reducing inequality, and focus on promoting sustainability.  Economic development theory must continue to change and evolve to keep up with the changing society and its challenging trends.

Week 7: News Article - Daniel

“Eminent domain considered for geospatial agency,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-louis-considers-eminent-domain-power-in-effort-to-keep/article_ddb18d48-de2a-5417-99f1-fcf4c9e157c3.html

Jeff-Vanderlou is a poverty stricken neighborhood that has a population of 5,557 people. It is bordered by Vandeventer on the West and North Jefferson on the East. Delmar on the South and Palm Street on the North. This is an African American community that was settled by blacks in the early 1900s. In this area there are two community recreation centers, one VA Hospital, six elementary schools, three high schools, one community college, one Catholic Church and three senior citizens housing complexes. In addition to about twenty churches of different denominations and many small independent owned businesses. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper on February 12, 2015, the Vashon High School in the Jeff-Vanderlou neighborhood is failing to provide a quality education to its students. Only time will tell whether or not if the school will remain opened when the neighborhood goes the way of eminent domain. However, the Special Administrative School Board for the city of St. Louis has approved $2.2 million to renovate the old Pruitt Elementary School building at 1212 N. 22nd Street that was designed by architect Ray L. Leiunkuehler in 1954.

The Pruitt-Igoe Housing Project land is east of Jeff-Vanderlou at North Jefferson Avenue and Cass Avenue. What is important about the Pruitt-Igoe land is that it has 57 acres of land in its boundaries. And the city of St. Louis in interested in acquiring another 50 acres of land to offer to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to stay in the city of St. Louis. The spy agency has indicated they will move from their present location on south Broadway near the Anheuser Busch Brewery. But in order to stay in the city the spy agency needs 100 acres of land. This agency employees 3000 workers and brings in $2.4 million in annual earning tax with the average salary for this agency being $75,000 a year.  A big deal for the city of St. Louis economic base. Now the city is positioning itself to take control of the Jeff-Vanderlou land needed to make up this 100 acres of land that will be turned over to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to be developed into their new headquarters and facilities. The tool the city is contemplating using is the power of eminent domain. This is the right given to the government to take private property for public use. The public use in this instance will be for the economic benefit of the city of St. Louis in expanding its tax revenue base. In that the city does not want to lose that $2.4 million a year income stream. And the United States Supreme Court in Kelo v. City of New London, Connecticut in 2005 has said that it was legal as long as the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution was followed in giving the property owner just compensation for his property. After all the property owner has no right to stand in the way of progress and the greater good of the public.

The question that has to be answered is where will those displaced families go? The majority of the families in the Jeff-Vanderlou area are renters and they are low-income individuals. As with the Pruitt-Igoe land clearance project in the 1950s, the people were allowed to remain in the community with a better stock of housing than they had before. But with this urban renewal it will be a black neighborhood removal and no coming back. After the dust clears the Jeff Vanderlou neighborhood will no longer exist. What we as social workers are witnessing is a disappearing of a neighborhood before our eyes. We have an opportunity to be living in a historical time. So let’s seize the moment. And document all the historical places in this neighborhood because it will not be here fifty years from now.

Week 7: Class Reading - Michelle

Eligon, J. (2015, February 23). Shelter Resists Order to Stop Helping All It Can.  The New York Times, pp A9, A11.  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/us/shelter-resists-order-to-stop-helping-all-it-can.html?_r=0

The New Life Evangelistic Center has provided homeless people in St. Louis a safe place to sleep since opening in 1976.  The article stated that there are around 1,300 homeless people in St. Louis.  While the shelter has 125 beds, it takes in about 300 people per night.  The shelter also provides 30 day and two year programs in which recipients can be selected to help find employment and more permanent housing.

The shelter is now at risk for being closed down.  The Board of Public Service ordered that the shelter limit its occupancy to 32 starting in May.  This order came after area stakeholders petitioned the Board due to their concern with drugs, fights, and public urination.  The area in which the shelter is located is ”transforming into a hub for urban renewal.”  The affluent residents moving into the area do not want the shelter operating.  Mr. Larry Rice, the advocate who runs the shelter stated that “Rich folks moved into the neighborhood and they considered the homeless a nuisance because they don’t want them around.”

The city reports spending $11 million a year supporting the homeless with the goal of getting them into permanent housing.  The approach is called “housing- first.”  Mayor Slay has a plan that will cost $1 million a year.  This plan is to connect the homeless with contractors that will help them find permanent housing.  Slay thinks that emergency shelter should be temporary.

Brad Waldrop, a local investor in the area, believes that the shelter fosters the cycle of homelessness.  He reports that this is why he led the efforts to close the shelter. He calls the shelter an “archaic” model and states that he would like to see a new model of “rapid rehousing.”

The people who stay in the shelter believe that the shelter provides them with emergency beds, resources, and a sense of community.  One resident stated that if they close the shelter he will freeze to death.

What do you think?   This “housing first” sounds a little bit like Pruitt – Igoe to me.  Is the Mayors plan of providing homes to the homeless and “beautifying” the city just a band aid for the real issues the city has? There

Week 6: News Article - Arriana

“Oversight bill passes committee”
St. Louis American
http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_a432320e-b0bb-11e4-9098-533d110fd129.html

The St. Louis Aldermanic committee passed a bill last Monday (February 9th) that focused on creating a board that would be responsible for investigating and overseeing  police misconduct within our community (oversight board of police). The board would also have the ability to review citizens complaints and communicate with internal affairs about investigations (that includes sending investigations back and adding new evidence or questions to cases).

During the hearing a number of parties expressed their concern and opinions about the bill. Both police union and the city counselor’s office disagreed with the board having the power to subpoena while others like Alderman Antonio French push to give the board this power.

This article highlights the opinions of some alderman members and their agreeance or disagreeance to support the bill and the possible argument at hand, which is whether the board should have the subpoena power and in general the type and amount of powers granted to the board.

“The bill gives the board access to all documents and allows for some monitoring of Internal Affairs investigations.”  The power to subpoena was not originally documented in the bill but individuals such as Alderman Antonio French is fighting to add it to the bill.

This power is said to cause issues in the future by getting held up on courts and individuals deem it the that adding the power is a risky strategy.Along with subpoena power their have been debates or disputes about how the board members will be selected.

The bill goes to the board of Aldermen and on April 20th the results will be determined. The decision to send the bill back to the committee for revisions , or to pass or deny the bill.

JVL Community Service Work Day

Week #6: Class Reading - Chatonia

Minkler, M. (2004). Ethical challenges for the “outside” researcher in community-based participatory research. Health Education & Behavior, 31, 684-697.

In the article, Ethical Challenges for the “Outside” Researcher in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), Meredith Minkler outlines the ethical challenges of CBPR. CBPR is an applied joint approach that enables community residents to more actively participate in the full scale of research with the goal of influencing change in community health, systems, programs, or policies. Community members and researchers collaborate to combine knowledge and action for social change to improve community health. Academic/research community partners join to develop models and approaches to building communication, trust, and capacity with the final goal of increasing community participation in the research process. On the other hand, the following are challenges faced when utilizing CBPR: achieving a true community driven agenda, insider-outsider tensions, real and perceived racism, limitations of participation, issues involving the sharing, ownership, and use of findings for action.

CBPR encompasses an array of approaches which are comprised of participation, research, and action. In addition, individual, organizational, and community empowerment are developed by using the strengths perspective. Minkler mentioned that racism is comprised of a three-tiered framework (institutional, personally mediated, and internalized) that can become visible in CBPR. As a result, racism can cause cultural divides between the outside researchers and community members. 

A key characteristic of CBPR is the commitment to ensuring that the topic to be investigated comes from the community. The latter would require the researcher to have skills in community organizing and group dynamics. A pro of CBPR is that it is able to study controversial issues. The con of CBPR is choosing a topic that may further divide community members. To combat the latter issue, the author suggested that town hall meetings and focus groups should be used to determine the issue.

Throughout the article, the author gives examples of case studies and solutions on how to deal with the challenges of CBPR. The essential principle of CBPR involves its commitment to giving the study findings back to the community and facilitating strong community involvement in decision making about the use of those findings for action and social change. For instance, the author mentioned 24 guidelines and criteria that could be used to assess the benefits of CBPR projects and principles of participatory research that will help outside researchers and their community partners.

Have you ever felt like an “outsider” while working in a community? If so, how did you handle that situation? Or have you ever felt like an “outsider” while working with a client? If so, what advice would you give a peer on how to handle that situation?   

Week #6: Class Reading - Michelle

"The Qualitative Research Interview"

by Barbara DiCicco-Bloom & Benjamin F Crabtree

This article gave an overview of semi-structured and unstructured interview techniques that are used in qualitative research methods.  Structured interview techniques were not discussed as this interview technique is normally used for quantitative data collection.  The unstructured interview originated from the ethnographic tradition of anthropology.  The researcher would observe and take notes while interacting as needed.   This type of interview usually produces rich, detailed information.

Semi-structured interviews can occur with individuals or with groups. Questions are usually predetermined, open-ended questions with other additional questions added as the interview is occurring.  Interviews can last 30 minutes to several hours.   Data is also collected on group dynamics when the interview occurs in a focus group setting.

The individual in-depth interview may start with the research question posed as a question.  Five to ten questions are used to guide the interview.    Interview questions are guided by the participant’s answers to previous questions.  Rapport must be developed quickly for the interview to be effective.   Stages of rapport include apprehension, exploration, co-operation, and participation.   During the apprehension stage the interviewer attempts to get the interviewee to talk.  Probing questions are used to elicit more information from the interviewee.  It is important not to ask leading questions during any phase of an interview.    The exploration stage is characterized by participant engagement.  The co-operation stage is described as a level in which the participants can freely discuss without fear of offending the other person.  Clarifying questions are asked to understand the interviewee’s perception and worldview.  The final stage, participation, is characterized by the interviewer guiding and teaching the interviewee. 

Purposeful sampling technique is used to select the interviewees for the in-depth interview.  Data analysis strategies for interpreting the interviews include the editing approach, template approach, and the immersion/crystallization approach.  The article also discussed some technical issues that arise in the qualitative interview.  Some interviews may videotape or tape record the interview.  In all interviews it is important to obtain consent for this recording.  The problems that arise from using video/audio recording can occur when transcribing the data.  Accuracy can be jeopardized if the information is interpreted incorrectly by the interviewee.  Software programs are available to assist with data management and analysis.  

Four ethical issues were discussed as concerns for the interview process.  The first issue is to reduce the anticipated harm.  The article mentioned that interviewers need to be prepared to provide support to interviewees when they are providing answers that may cause psychological stress or emotional strain.  The second ethical issue is to ensure anonymity to the interviewee’s information.  The information is to be kept anonymous unless the information not shared would create a dangerous situation for someone else.   The third ethical issue is to inform the interviewees of the purpose of the study and have them verbally consent to on-going interviews.  The interviewee should be aware that they can stop participating at any time if they choose to.   The last ethical issue discussed is to ensure that the participants are not exploited for personal gain. 

Week 5: Class Reading - Kate

Reading 2: “Rebound Neighborhoods in Weak Market Regions: The Case of St. Louis”

This article, written by two St. Louis scholars, Todd Swanston and Hank Webber, examines the process of gentrification and analyzes its’ affects on St. Louis area neighborhoods.  The authors acknowledge that gentrification typically carries with it negative connotations.  The idea of gentrification is “the movement of young, often single, professionals into low-income, usually minority, neighborhoods near urban employment centers” (p.1).  The dominant view is that this process typically displaces low-income residents as higher income residents move in and raise the cost of living in the area.

To better understand how gentrification has affected the St. Louis area, the authors looked at neighborhoods in the St. Louis area that had seen a decline and then a rebound in the years since 1970, according to census data.  The neighborhoods that fit this criteria were the Central West End, Botanical Heights, Shaw, Mark Twain, and Maplewood.  In evaluating the economic and racial diversity of these neighborhoods, the authors found that they retained high levels of economic and racial diversity compared to surrounding neighborhoods that had not rebounded.

The authors hypothesized that this could be due to a variety of causes, some of which include:
1. Extra available housing that did not require displacement of low-income individuals for higher income individuals to move in;
2. Availability of subsidized housing;
3. Diverse housing types which allowed low-income and high income people to afford houses in the same area;
4. Lower levels of racial intolerance than in the past
5. Support from civic groups to minimize tension caused by racial and economic divides
6. Young adults value diversity as a positive attribute to their neighborhoods

In the end, the authors questioned whether their findings could be generalized to other cities or if the negative effects of gentrification where inevitable in other places.

Week 5: News Aritcle - Jenn

Protestors leave coffin, demands on Mayor Slay's doorstep

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_45430582-b072-11e4-b740-2fb9f87f6e70.html

February 9th marked the six-month anniversary of Michael Brown's death.  Protestors called the day Mourning Monday. At about 6:00 am, protestors gathered to begin a march to Mayor Slay's home.  Protestors have pledged to march to the homes of various city officials every Monday morning until their demands are heard.

A friend of mine told me that this protest was happening – but they did not know where the march would be ending.  I considered attending, but ultimately couldn’t make the timing work…after finding out that the march concluded at Mayor Slay’s home, I was glad I could not attend.

I have been an active part of many protests, community meetings, and community events since Michael Brown’s death.  I even begun to consider myself an activist (a term that I never thought could be used to describe me).  It wasn’t until the beginning of this semester that I really started to think about the implications of being an activist.  Can I be an advocate for Ferguson (or any other community) if I am known as an activist? That’s question I have not yet been able to answer for myself.  I’m hoping as the semester progresses I’ll have a better idea.

I think the question of advocate or activist becomes particularly important with actions such as Mourning Monday.  As someone who desires to be an advocate for vulnerable populations and communities, I’m not sure being part of a group that shows up at Mayor Slay’s home is a wise decision.  I envision having to speak to political figures while working for my clients – I need to think about how they will view my actions as a protestor and activist. 

One of my friends recently said “Advocates wear pumps to the statehouse to witness, write policy, and talk to legislators.  Activists wear converse and stand in the statehouse with signs and chants.  Both are incredibly necessary. They are different instruments working toward the same goal. And many times the pumps and the converse overlap on the same people.”  Her statement got me thinking…can I be a person who wears converse sneakers and carries signs while also being someone who wears pumps and talks to legislators? 

Is this something that any of you have thought about? I’d love to hear your opinions!

Week 5: News Article - Hayley

Alternative Spring Break Aims to Connect Students to Healing Efforts in Ferguson
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2015/02/alternative_spring_break_aims_to_connect_students_to_healing_efforts_in_ferguson.php

The following article from the Riverfront Times provides information regarding a volunteer opportunity in Ferguson for college students during their spring break.  Many students, unless they have taken time off coursework have been unable to join protests and efforts in Ferguson.  To provide students with that opportunity, while they have time off of school, activists have created the "alternative spring break" opportunity to provide students from all over the country with that opportunity.  The "alternative spring break" plans to bring 50 to 100 students each week for three weeks to provide aid in rebuilding and healing in Ferguson.

Charles Wade, of Operation Help or Hush, has helped in arranging the program and spoke of some of the specific intentions behind it.  He implies that the program is meant to promote effective volunteerism, extend a helping hand, provide tools for advocacy, provide voter education and registration, and ultimately to focus on aiding the Ferguson community.  The program is not necessarily meant to teach students how to protest, but to help students understand the issues protestors have faced and how to effectively mediate them as legal observers. 

I think the idea is a great initiative.  The program offers opportunities to students who want more out of their spring break and are interested in community change.  This seems like a productive way to not only aid rebuilding efforts in Ferguson, but also to provide an effective, community-based learning experience for students across the country.

At this point, it is questionable whether the people of Ferguson really want this outside help, but the idea behind the program is meaningful in regards to community change.   The civic aspect of the program seems fantastic, I just hope that it is done the right way and both the college students and the Ferguson residents can find fulfillment from the experience. 

What are your thoughts?  Do you think this initiative can be fulfilling for both the college students AND the people of Ferguson?  Or is this just going to further exhaust Ferguson residents  with outside efforts?

Week 5: Class Reading - Karla

CH. 4: Understanding Populations

The main concepts from chapter four discuss how to select and study a population. There are five tasks to analyze a population as efficiently and effectively as possible. The five tasks are to: Develop Cultural Humility, Seek Diverse Perspectives, Search the Professional Knowledge Base on the Target Population, Select Factors that Help in Understanding the Target Population, and Develop a Working Hypothesis of Etiology About the Problem.

A brief summary of these concepts from this chapter add to chapter three about using qualitative and quantitative data to help address issues and problems in communities, chapter four adds layers and dimensions to data collection. Chapter four expresses the need to understand a community and its diverse population as well as its diverse needs. The first task is to Develop Cultural Humility. A social worker has to realize that their life experience can be, and many times will be different than their client’s experiences. The social worker has to have cultural competence to be effective in their treatment and to be sensitive to differences in other cultures.

The second task is Seek Diverse Perspectives. A social worker needs listen to members of the community, and be inclusive of all its members. If a social worker is creating a solution for a community it should be done with the community members and not to the community. Social workers must also be aware of the frameworks, or how a minority self-identifies and how they interact with the majority culture. Additionally, a social worker should consult with allies and advocacy groups of the target populations to gain more information. An example would be working with a LGBT alliance to get a better understanding of the LGBT community.

The next task is Search the Professional Knowledge Base on the Target Population. This task discusses the use of professional and academic resources to gain more knowledge of the target population in a community. It also explains what issues should be explored. Some issues that should be explored are growth and development, diversity considerations, and external factors that affect the community. Some examples of these concepts can include a person having trouble developing into adulthood, having troubles with embodying roles society puts on them, or being discriminated or oppressed.

The fourth task is Selecting Factors that Help in Understanding the Target Population. Using the previous tasks, patterns should start emerging. Being able to find patterns we can start looking into the cause and effect of possible problem areas that a community may have, leading into the final task.

The final task is Develop a Working Hypothesis of Etiology About the Problem. The social worker should look into the cause and effect (etiology), then form a hypothesis using the information found in the population analysis and problem analysis. A social worker can then use this data and information to direct possible interventions.

Using these tasks as basic guidelines, we as social workers can be better prepared to work with diverse communities. We need to be immersed in these diverse communities to better understand the needs and wants of a community, while gathering data, in order to give them our best and unbiased help.

Week 4: Class Reading - Nici

CH. 3: Understanding Community and Organizational Problems

Keeping account of quality data is essential for any human service organization that wants to ensure longevity and success. As the government lessens the priority of assisting the disadvantaged, funding becomes more scarce and the burden to aid the oppressed and in need falls to the private sector. Funders as well members of the public are increasingly demanding evidence that organizations are accountable and that their services are producing the desired results. Data offers donors security in knowing that their money is being utilized effectively.

The Chapter highlights three essential categories to consider when undertaking a macro-level project (problem/need/opportunity, population, and arena). These three categories include defining the problem and those affected by it, identifying the population and various perspectives, and compiling data that increases your professional knowledge base and understanding of the need and potential change agents.

Current systems and processes of evaluation and research in the field of social work lack the methodological rigor of other professional fields. Chapter 3 stresses the importance of utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data when addressing conditions and problems. These two methods compliment one another and provide a more complete ‘at a glance’ view of the is issue.

Undertaking the task of gathering data from numerous sources can seem extremely overwhelming. It is rare that current data and research are found compiled in a ready for use format. Often times one must seek information from numerous resources on national, regional, and global levels. This is time consuming and some critics state that it fails to recognize the need within the appropriate moment. In an ideal scenario, comparative data will be gathered in a timely manner from various reliable sources such as those that are government based. Interpretation of data is nearly as essential as the collection. Transforming numbers and facts into relevant, understandable reports guide’s readers to understand why the problem exists and what has enabled it to persist over time. As greater understanding is achieved, a systematic intervention can be developed that addresses most if not all of the root causes of the issue at hand.

Week 4: News Article - Trisha

"United Way Looking to Assist Displaced Employees Affected by Ferguson, Dellwood Unrest"

St. Louis Public Radio, February 4, 2014

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/united-way-looking-assist-displaced-employees-affected-ferguson-dellwood-unrest

The United Way would like to provide basic assistance for employees who lost their job or had their hours decreased due to the events that followed the shooting death of Michael Brown. The funding is coming from the $1 million contract the United Way of Greater St. Louis received from St. Louis County after numerous businesses were destroyed from looting, rioting, and fires.

The group is hoping the assistance will help those employees by providing funding for basic needs, such as rent and utilities, to avoid eviction or homelessness.

Despite the available funding, the United Way told St. Louis Public Radio they were having a difficult time locating qualified individuals.

The United Way has put out a public call, casting a wider net. They are attempting to work with businesses to identify former residents who have been scattered throughout the area by the loss of employment. They are holding a Career Center Day to connect unemployed residents with career counselors to identify job openings in the community.

Reading this article, I was reminded of last week's class reading "Mapping Community Capacity" by McKnight & Kretzmann. The United Way's efforts to assist the unemployed in the Ferguson community acknowledges the asset they are to their community. By giving that financial assistance, they are working to keep people in their homes and in their community. By helping employees and businesses, they are helping to reinforce the "capacities" within that community.

Do you have suggestions or strategies as to how to make sure available financial assistance reaches those in need? How have you seen, whether in Ferguson or other communities, financial assistance help? And where have you seen it be less helpful/less productive/harmful?

Week 4: Class Reading - Arriana

“Old North St. Louis”
http://www.risestl.org/results/success-stories-case-studies/old-north-st-louis/

This article discusses Old North’s efforts to rebuild their community. With the help of RISE, Old North had the opportunity to invest and revitalize areas within their community. Adding single family homes at market value Old North’s goal was to attract middle-income residents that would in-turn fill vacant lots near historic buildings, enhance economic diversity, income property value to finance redevelopment efforts, and integrate the neighborhood.The Launch of the redevelopment project gave both parties the opportunity to share and gain knowledge as well as bring about change within the community. 

The development project lead them to rebuild twenty new homes where vacant plots of land once stood from years of decline and demolition within the community. Out of the twenty homes built eight of those homes became affordable for lower income families which was made possible by the city’s Affordable Housing Commission. (North Market Place Homes development project) To increase revenue and to make these new homes marketable the vacant lots were not only filled but historical buildings such as the National Register Historic District were rehabilitated. (North Market Place Apartments) 

RISE and Old North partnered together to buy property within Old North’s once thriving “14th street Mall”. With plans to build lofts, apartments, and business’s vital to the community and its efforts to gain “critical mass” the redevelopment of “14th Street Mall” in to “Crown Square” was created. In addition to the newly developed center square, efforts to redevelop streets surrounding the area were put in place to strengthen the mall and bring about community integration. 

The three development projects accounted for the rehabilitation of 36 historical buildings, 20 newly built homes, and the creation of 80 residential and commercial sites available with the completion of Crown Square.

Week 4: News Article - Karla

“Advocates vow diversity battle over city bill”

St. Louis American, January 29, 2015

http://www.stlamerican.com/business/local_business/article_145a5ba0-a730-11e4-ae6a-df13478a6faa.html

This article discusses a proposed bill restricting contractors from bidding on contracts if they do not have a Department of Labor approved apprentice program. What this means for the community of Saint Louis City, is that only union contractors would be able to bid on city contracts. One repercussion of this bill may cause minority owned contracting companies to be excluded from bidding on city contracts because the companies are small and privately owned. Also, minority advocacy groups were not given sufficient time to attend the first meetings for the proposal of this bill to voice their concerns. This bill shows the need for social advocacy and how advocacy groups can help protect minorities. This bill, which may look good on paper to some, may be a lot more harmful than the politicians supporting it realize.

I think that the intent of the policy was not to discriminate women and minority owned contracting companies, but to its intent was to enhance and support unionized companies. The unintended consequences were that minority groups would be discriminated against. Pulling lessons from Policy class, I think some of the value standards related to policy that are missing from this bill are Equity, Equality, Inclusion, and Collaboration. The minority groups in St. Louis City are not being fairly considered in the decision making process or within the bill itself. Many social justice advocates in the community feel that there is not an alternative version of this bill that they could approve.

Do you feel this is an issue of diversity or a labor market competition issue?

Do you think there is an alternative version of this bill that could be proposed that minority advocates would approve?

How do you think approval of this bill would affect communities that have high minority demographics?