Practitioner Spotlight

Q: You recently raised $25,000 for action projects, which is the largest amount so far that will be awarded to neighbors in a Love Your Neighborhood initiative…how did you help make that happen?!

A: With continued partnership, relationships and involvement with the city. It can be challenging as not everyone’s ideas for how to fix things in the East End align with our (and neighbors’) view, but maintaining an open line of communication and staying involved in things they are trying to implement has helped. In addition, the city understands that we have rapport with our neighbors, and trust, we have real conversations and with neighbors, the city respects the ongoing relationships we have, and we do have the data to back it up.

Q: How did you make the case to help the decision-makers understand action projects?

A: I would share that when you give neighbors agency to implement the changes they want to see in their neighborhood, that’s when real change happens. That is when long-term change takes effect. It is not being done to them; it is more of a sustainable approach.

Q: What have you learned through leading the entire process (applications, selection, awards) of action projects, specifically from a resident engagement perspective?

A: The need to sell the idea of action projects in a way that is palatable to neighbors. Don’t make it an intimidating process. Use plain language and give lots of examples. We did a lot of marketing—fliers in coffee shops and community boards, social media—but it was not as effective as having one-on-one conversations and letting them know it can be as simple as putting a beautiful mural on a wall or putting some light in a dark spot in an alley, it does not have to be a monumental project to make a difference to neighbors in their everyday lives.

Q: Which Action Project are you most excited about seeing come to life?

A: A young East End entrepreneur wants to get his “East End Insights” off the ground. He wants to create content and promotions that is specifically about, and for, the neighborhood. He plans to attend events and meetings and relay information beforehand, as well as share stories of the East End, the big exciting things that are happening, but also highlighting the small wins and ‘humanizing’ the neighborhood. When we did our baseline survey, a huge majority (81%) like or love living in the East End, and that is not the perception of people outside the neighborhood and we hope to change that. We get to help a young entrepreneur and he gets to help change the narrative of the neighborhood.