NEIGHBORHOOD INSTITUTE 2010 - PROJECTS PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

Project presentations for the Neighborhood Institute were introduced by the participants last night. Center For Neighborhoods' staff was inspired by the knowledge, passion and empowerment of the class presenters.

Listed below is a condensed version of the presentations:

Nate Pederson - PAINT: Sponsors distinguished Wall and Orienteering Bingo

• The German/Paristown neighborhood has been awarded the first funded PAINT project. Nate, being the neighborhood representative, explained the process of partnering with the artists, landmarking the history of the neighborhood, and the interaction that will occur as a result of the project between neighbors and neighborhood businesses.

Peggy Klein and Judy Greiner - Mulberry Hill Fall Social

• Peggy and Judy collaborated to develop the Mulberry Hill Fall Social at George Rogers Clark Park. The twosome gave a brief, yet informative, history of George Rogers Clark Park and the significance of Mulberry Hill. Their slide show included old maps and photos, details for the social, scheduled for October 17, 2010, including an estimated cost of the project.

Cindi Fowler and Leslie Ryan - Rain Barrels

• Both of these participants live in southwest Jefferson County around Sun Valley Park and so they teamed up to introduce rain barrels to their area. Actually displaying a rain barrel during their presentation allowed the class to more thoroughly understand the installation and operation of the barrels. They will be installing rain barrels at their homes and hope to develop a community garden in the future.

Deana Eckel - Rain Gardens

• This project evolved from Deana learning about the lack of involvement opportunities for the youth in our communities. She will involve her neighbors, a local Boy Scout troop, Metro Council representatives, MSD and others to begin the process of installing rain gardens in her neighborhood. Through the educational component of the project and visiting other gardens around the community, the youth will become engaged in the process and excitement will be created as they take ownership and see the accomplishments of their work.

Carol Logsdon Brenner - Creation of a Social Network

• As the older neighbors in Carol's neighborhood passed away, she felt a sense of detachment and loss with her neighborhood. She began to reach out to new and other neighbors in order to build neighborhood relationships. As Carol presented the obstacles that she realized were holding her back, she replaced them with positive tools and resources in order to create a social network within her neighborhood.

Dave Tate and Kim Wirth - Cleaning Up the Neighborhood

• Our resident couple of this NI from the Lucky Horseshoe NA have developed a passion for trying to keep their neighborhood, adjacent to Churchill Downs, clean and free of excessive litter. They have overcome many obstacles in order to be approved for the purchase of garbage cans in their area. With assistance from their Metro Council representative, Marianne Butler, and her office, their persistence will finally pay off.

Barbara Yocum - Renewing a Dormant Neighborhood Association

• Initially Barbara wanted to create a Block Watch in her neighborhood, but came to realize that a neighborhood group had been established, but was not active. She is now compelled to find out about the existing organization and seek answers to her questions about the current officers and their status, what the dues are being used for and how she can revitalize the group.

Michelle Neal Smith - Organizing and Expanding Michelle's House and Mothers Against Drugs

• Through Michelle's life experiences she has established and is the Director for Step One Michelle's House and MAD. Knowing the negative impacts that drugs and alcohol have on her community, Michelle seeks the knowledge and resources to expand these two organizations locally and in the future, nationally, to assist women on the streets. Currently, she is waiting for final approval of her 501(c)3 status.

Jamellia Moore - Knowing Your Neighbors and Neighborhood

• Having a strong desire to find out what the needs of her neighborhood are, Jamellia walks the her immediate area of the Russell neighborhood in search of its strengths and weaknesses. After noticing the condition of a park in her neighborhood and the many children that could benefit from additional and new equipment and repairs, she is using her knowledge and commitment to better her community while working on developing relationships and bringing different organizations within her neighborhood together to work on the project.