Thursday, December 20, 2012

New Hire and New Programming at Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office

Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Offices (SCFBC) recently announced the introduction of the new Community Network Weaving Program.


The Network Weaving Program focuses on connecting and inspiring community members by:
  1. connecting neighbors to neighbors in new ways that supports shared learning and building new relationships; 
  2. connecting local institutions and organizations to each and to our residents to build a neighborhood network where we support each other, share ideas and create what is possible in our neighborhood; and,
  3. connecting our diverse population to create more culturally appropriate methods of engaging with each other.
Through the very generous support of the Cleveland Foundation, SCFBC is able to support a new full time position and new programming throughout our service area. Juliana Cole has been hired as a full time Community Network Weaver. Juliana has been with SCFBC since August, 2011 working as a Community Organizing Intern. In her education, Ms. Cole studied community and social development and has focused her interest on methods of organizing within the scope of community development organizations. Over the past year, Juliana has been working closely with the Community Organizing department at SCFBC to develop a new program that explores our community's assets, skills and new ways of being together.

"The beginning of the Cleveland Foundation's mission statement is "to enhance the lives of all residents of Greater Cleveland...," and this project has great potential to help residents enhance their own lives and the lives of others in the SCFBC neighborhoods. We were impressed with the community planning process that led to the development of the project and believe that aspects of this project may become a model for other neighborhoods in our community." Paul Putman, Program Officer, The Cleveland Foundation.

The Community Network Weaving Program will bring lots of exciting new opportunities for engagement and involvement for everyone in our communities. Look forward to seeing new opportunities and ways of connecting with your neighborhood. Here are just a few ideas and projects that are already in the works:
  • Cleveland TimeBank, exchange your skills and services with your neighbors and take money out of the equation.  Join the Cleveland Time Bank on facebook and mark your calendar for the next Time Bank Potluck meeting being held on January 10th at Archwood UCC in Brooklyn Centre;
  • NeighborCircles, a new way of connecting with neighbors directly on your street to build new relationships and improve trust and safety where you live;
  • Workshop and Learning Series, teach and learn from your neighbors about something you are skilled in such as Pierogi-making, Couponing and more;
  • Near West Side Community Council, help us in providing a supportive community for our youth population;
  • Library Resource tables, monthly resource tables at our public libraries where we can all connect and learn about what is happening in our neighborhood; Network Nights, come and connect with others in the Network to share ideas, interests and start to create with what we already have.
Is there something you look forward to sharing with your community? What are you skilled at that you can teach others? Do you have stories about your community that can help celebrate our neighborhood? SCFBC's door, phone lines and e-mail are open and they are calling on you to share your ideas. Click HERE to check out their Google Calendar which has up to date information about upcoming events, happenings and meetings in our neighborhood. Also check out their Facebook page HERE and find community updates, events and more.

Please contact our Community Network Weaver, Juliana Cole, at (216) 961-9073, ext. 229 or jcole@dscdo.org to learn more about the program and to share your thoughts, ideas and vision for the future. Together we can accomplish so much more!

More Information about SCFBC

SCFBC = Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office

SCFBC Bi-Weeklyn E-newsletter -- Stay in touch with the staff at SCFBC and keep informed of neighborhood activities and opportunities for engagement by receiving their bi-weekly e-newsletter. Sign-up for the newsletter HERE.

SCFBC Staff Listing and contact information:
3167 Fulton Road, #303
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
216-961-9073

SCFBC 2012 Annual Report
2012 Annual Report - Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office
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Monday, December 17, 2012

CMSD issues Four-Year Strategic Plan, seeks community input on implementing Cleveland Plan

NOTICE - Community Meetings, to discuss The Cleveland Plan: Four-Year Implementation Strategy, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at  John Adams Campus on Wednesday (12.19) and Lincoln-West on Thursday (12.20).  See the flyer below:

On December 4th CEO Eric Gordon provided the Cleveland Board of Education a strategy document titled The Cleveland Plan: Four-Year Implementation Strategy.  He stated that the document will be distributed throughout the community to solicit input and feedback.

“This document will drive our transformation work going forward, and when it’s complete, will be a tool for holding us accountable for results,” he said. “I cannot stress enough how important community feedback and input will be as we refine the document that will guide this important work.”

Over the next six weeks, the CEO said CMSD will aggressively engage in the gathering input throughout the community and will revise the strategies in the plan based on the feedback received. The final version is expected to be presented to the board for adoption in mid- to late-January.

The plan can be viewed below and here - The Cleveland Plan: Four-Year Implementation Strategy, Draft for Public Review, Feedback and Input, December 3, 2012.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District THE CLEVELAND PLAN: Four‐Year Implementation Strategy

Media Coverage:

The first two, of what is expected to be multiple community meetings have been scheduled for this week from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at John Adams Campus on Wednesday and Lincoln-West on Thursday.  See the flyer below:



Facilities Plan Information:
In addition to the 4-year Strategic Plan, the District is also in the process of re-evaluating the Facilities Plan.  The most recent report regarding the Facilities Plan through Phase V can be found here (Master Facilities Plan - Excel file).  See also the latest Bond Accountability Report, Program Progress Update 24, dated July 25, 2012.


Other Voices:
In terms of other alternative voices, as reported in the Plain Press in October,  Ohio Communities United issues a report in September to bring attention to the concerns of parents and education reform advocates.  See the Plain Press article for a report on the document and a copy of the document below.

To learn more about the report, please contact Ohio Communities United at 216-262-6343 and ask for Executive Director Mike Foley or Community Organizer Michael Cook, or email michael@ohunited.org or mike@ohunited.org.

Parent group presents its plan at Board of Education meeting
by Chuck Hoven, Plain Press, 10.12.12

(Plain Press, October 2012) Parents of children in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District presented their own educational plan to the Cleveland Board of Education at its September 25th Business Meeting at Tremont Montessori School. The plan titled Speaking Out of School: Parent Voices on Public Education in Cleveland evolved from listening circles involving 100 to 150 Cleveland parents. Working with parents in developing the plan were the community organizing staff of Ohio Communities United. Staff members from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University and the staff of Innovation Ohio helped with the research and writing of the report that was presented to all the members of the Board of Education.  Click here for full article.

See the 23-page document here:
Speaking Out of School Parents Voices on Public Education in Cleveland
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

WC Reed Park (Brooklyn Centre) closed for environmental remediation and renovation


The following communications concerning the closure of WC Reed Park in Brooklyn Centre were issued today -- Please note the community meeting planned for 6:30 pm this coming Monday 12/17 at St. Barbara's Church.

______________________

Given a recent environmental assessment that indicates certain contaminants were found in the soil that exceed standards for recreational use, the site has been closed for environmental remediation and renovation. We take this action in an abundance of caution.

Please see the attached letter and fact sheets regarding the issues found at the site. There will be a community meeting on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Barbara’s Church, 1505 Denison Avenue. We hope you or a representative from your organization are able to attend.

Maureen R. Harper
Chief of Communications, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 216-664-4011     

See the following documents (PDF):

2008 & 1951 Aerial Views of WC Reed Park, Brooklyn Center, Ohio

Sources: Google Maps 2008 & Soil Conservation Service, United States Dept. of Agriculture, images PZ-3G-046 and PZ-2G-174 Cleveland Public Library, Map Collection.


1951 Aerial showing pattern of ravines including
the I-71 Metro-curve area north of Riverside Cemetery

1951 Aerial of Lower Big Creek Valley




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