(A collaborative project of CDBG Operations Corp. and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
1997-1998 Overview
# of Neighborhood Groups Assisted – 12
# of Non-Profits Assisted – 25
# of Municipal Agencies Assisted – 6
# of Faith-Based Organizations Assisted – 2
Total # of Organizations Assisted – 45
INTRODUCTION
In August of 1996 the East St. Louis Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center was established to provide organizational, planning, and design assistance to the growing number of neighborhood organizations and non-profits working on community development projects throughout the city. Since that time the NTAC has provided assistance to over sixty (60) separate community-based organizations, municipal agencies and individuals. This assistance has ranged from computer access and research to proposal development and grant writing. In the past year we have continued our successes by providing computers and Internet access to local residents and by successfully writing $400,000 in grants for community-based organizations. However we have also begun to address issues in which we were weak in our first year such as training and capacity building.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Training programs are the backbone of NTAC’s efforts to meet the long-term capacity building goals of the East St. Louis neighborhood groups and CDBG Operations, Corp. In 1997-1998 NTAC created and/or utilized training modules to conduct a series of seminars.
1. Internet (October 1st-7th, 1997 Pilot Program, and ongoing)
Internet training was devised to give a special hands-on workshop for residents and community leaders so they could learn what it means to "surf the Net". The course taught how to connect to the Internet, how to use the most popular Internet tools, sending and retrieving e-mail, browsing the Web, and joining on-line discussion groups. Special emphasis was given to locating and utilizing information sources online for funding or retrieving government data. The pilot program only attracted four (4) neighborhood leaders but five (5) others have gone through the training since that time.
The core of the training was hands-on work conducted by participants in order to develop proposal elements that pertained to their programs. At the same time, participants gained insight into what proposal reviewers are looking for by evaluating the proposals of other participants.
Finally, in a small working group, participants prepared a complete grant proposal, identified potential funding sources for it, and presented it to the class for review.
This was the most popular training program offered by The NTAC and attracted
over twenty (20) individuals each day, representing more than fifteen (15)
organizations.
ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTED
1. Adventures in Motivation
NTAC staff conducted an initial meeting with Stanford Scott of Adventures in Motivation. Mr. Scott requested assistance with the rehabilitation of office and program space and for proposal development and review.
NTAC staff organized a planning meeting with Adventures in Motivation and the Southwestern Illinois Planning Commission and developed a partnership designed to create fundable plans for a wetland park in the Wedgewood Buyout area.
NTAC staff attended phase II of the Wedgewood park planning meetings by working with Nancy Biggins of the Southwestern Illinois Planning Commission, Stanford Scott of Adventures in Motivation, and David Rahe of the Metro East Watershed Group. The partnership is working to complete site analysis of the area, including topography, drainage, FEMA requirements and Illinois Department of Transportation development plans.
Craig Miller, NTAC Design Specialist, met with Director Stanford Scott to assess AIM facilities and recommend rehabilitation needs. This project will be taken up in earnest during the Summer to ensure that current design requests are completed.
Patricia Nolan, NTAC Community Planner, attended her 4th Adventures in Motivation Park Planning meeting. At this meeting the group developed a second concept plan for a recreational/educational wetland park for the Wedgewood area. This new plan was based on research and a site visit in Missouri. In addition the group developed narrative for project description and reviewed its progress to date.
Aldersgate Community Development Agency
NTAC staff assisted Reverend Marcheta McCoy of Aldersgate by attending a Weed and Seed meeting and helped secure $12,000 in Weed and Seed funds for their activities with neighborhood children.
NTAC staff provided Reverend Marcheta McCoy with Internet training and access so that she could search for potential funding sources for her agency.
NTAC staff provided Reverend Marcheta McCoy with Non-Profit Management Training. In addition staff assessed the current management level of Aldersgate and provided recommendations for future changes.
Staff attended the organization’s kick off event and provided an overview of board "Best Practices" for use by the Aldersgate group. This client has since been referred to Southern Illinois University - East St. Louis Center’s faith-based organizing initiative.
Alta Sita Community Development Corporation
NTAC staff assisted Sandra Reeves of the Alta Sita Development Corporation with writing and submitting an URPS pre-proposal for the development of Virginia Park.. NTAC staff prepared Ms. Reeves of ASCDC for her URPS presentation. Staff worked on her presentation content and advised her of concerns expressed by the URPS Board.
NTAC staff worked with Ms. Reeves of ASCDC on resubmission of her application for URPS funds to renovate Virginia Park. A detailed budget and design for plumbing improvements were provided.
NTAC staff worked with Ms. Reeves of ASCDC on the final budget revision
for Urban Resource Partnership grant. Ms. Reeves has been awarded $25,000
for landscaping improvements for Virginia Park. NTAC pledged volunteer
recruitment assistance.
Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc.
The NTAC provided a dozen University of Illinois volunteers on September 26th and 27th to clean lots and make repairs to Ms. Jacqueline Simmons’ residence on behalf of Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc. Ms. Simmons is a moderate income resident of Alta Sita who was chosen by the neighborhood association to receive winterization and repair assistance. NTAC staff surveyed the property, developed a scope of services and materials list. Volunteers, led by Craig Miller, rebuilt a decaying porch and covered decrepit windows with plastic to prevent heat loss and high heating bills.
Volunteers also cleaned up Virginia Park and built sandboxes with local children as a new playspace.
NTAC staff attended a Weed and Seed meeting on behalf of Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc. and secured $9,000 in funding for their housing rehabilitation work.
NTAC received a request for University of Illinois volunteers and on October 17th and 18th 24 students cleaned 17 lots, backyards and basements, demolished and reconstructed a fence, cleaned an URPS mini-park, and cleared a lot around a CDBG-funded rehabilitated home. All of these efforts were in support of low and moderate income residents in the neighborhood identified by Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc.
NTAC staff revised the $9,000 Weed and Seed Budget on behalf of Alta Sita and submitted the revisions to the U.S. Department of Justice for funding.
NTAC staff attended the regular January meeting of this neighborhood association. Staff answered resident questions about CDBG HOME funds and roof/weatherization funding.
NTAC staff has begun weekly meetings with Ernecia Coles, Alta Sita Project Coordinator, and determined the most effective ways to be of assistance. NTAC staff prepared neighborhood maps, and outreach program for building membership.
NTAC staff prepared a neighborhood outreach packet for use by Alta Sita members to recruit residents for Alta Sita Neighbors. The packets included maps of the block captain areas, a map of the entire neighborhood, door-knocking tips, and sign-up sheets.
Carver Community Center
The NTAC provided twelve University of Illinois volunteers to clean and paint the Carver Community Center. Staff also conducted two outreach meetings to gather feedback on possible URPS landscaping proposals, and executed as-built drawings of the site.
Craig Miller, the NTAC Design Specialist, conducted research on playground equipment and landscaping materials for the completion of the Carver Community Center Urban Resources Partnership Program.
NTAC design staff met with Deacon Andrew Jackson and landscape architect research assistants from the University of Illinois to develop final plans for the Carver Community Center landscaping project.
NTAC staff worked with Andrew Jackson of the Carver Community Center to organize a tour of his facility with area architects. The purpose of this tour was to provide information about community activities to the architects and solicit ideas for the rehabilitation project currently underway.
In June, NTAC Design Specialist, Craig Miller, attended a meeting with Carver and CDBG to assess the status of the Carver restoration project.
Children’s Home and Aid Society
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Christian Activity Center
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar. The seminar resulted in their successful submission of a $25,000 grant for computers.
Citizens for the Future
NTAC staff worked with the CFF Search Committee and hosted training for hiring procedures to be utilized in their search for an Executive Director. Staff developed an advertising budget and placed ads in local and regional newspapers and trade publications.
NTAC provided computer access to the Director of Citizens for the Future, David Wilson. Mr. Wilson used word processing applications to draft letters and used Internet access to research potential funders.
Community Development Block Grant
NTAC staff assisted CDBG staff in reviewing respondents to an Request for Proposals to provided architectural and engineering work for the St. Theresa’s Transitional Housing complex. Specifically, staff reviewed RFQ’s from five design and architectural firms who submitted RFQ’s. Three meetings with Nathelene Harper. One interview session with three candidates.
Community Sites
NTAC staff, in partnership with Rev. Johnnie Davis of Community Sites and Toya Nash of Operation New Spirit cleaned and cleared lots in Olivette Park. Community residents outnumbered University of Illinois volunteers at these sites.
Concerned Citizens Promoting Positive Change
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Dasher’s Track Club
Reviewed proposals for United Way youth grants for Dashers Track Club and Greyhound Track Club. NTAC Community Planner, Patricia Nolan assisted Greyhound in establishing sponsorship through Catholic Urban Programs.
Eagle’s Nest of St. Clair County
NTAC staff assisted in the preparation of a Power Point presentation describing the organization’s accomplishments and goals. The NTAC offices were utilized for that meeting.
NTAC staff assisted Eagle’s Nest on categorizing and documenting its informational materials regarding transitional housing. Staff also assisted with the preparation of agenda items for the December Board meeting.
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
East St. Louis City Manager’s Office
At the request of the Emerson Park Development Corporation the NTAC staff offered assistance to the City Manager’s Office in developing a land conveyance policy. The policy is needed for donation of land to Emerson Park for development into a playground. The City Manager accepted the offer of assistance and the NTAC director began work with the University of Illinois Law Clinic to devise such a policy.
The University of Illinois Law Clinic completed work on a land clearance policy. After numerous meetings with the NTAC Director the final policy recommendations were submitted to City Manager Curtis Galloway.
East St. Louis Community Action Network
NTAC provided University of Illinois volunteers to clean sites in Edgemont and Olivette Park as a part of the ESL-CAN URPS project.
NTAC staff assisted ESL-CAN with the submission of an URPS grant to clean up trash-strewn lots in Olivette Park and Edgemont. In addition NTAC staff assisted in writing a grant for Pollution Prevention that would involve the collaboration of the New Spirit Neighborhood Organizing Office, Neighborhood Law Office, and Emerson Park Development Corporation.
NTAC staff assisted ESL-CAN in the preparation of a grant application
to the East St. Louis Community Fund. The application was for funds needed
to continue operations and expand code enforcement activities. NTAC also
supplied one-time staff support to complete minutes for the ESL-CAN monthly
meeting.
East St. Louis Community Camp
NTAC Staff provided information to the Community Camp about staffing for their summer program and reviewed their CDBG application.
East St. Louis Housing Authority
NTAC staff attended a kick-off meeting for the Housing Authority initiative designed to place 361 units of new housing in East St. Louis. The Housing Authority has decided to leverage its funds and explore possible mixed-income, mixed finance development.
As part of the continuing Housing Authority effort to build mixed-income housing Patricia Nolan, NTAC Community Planner, compiled a list of organizations and individuals for interviews and focus groups. This information was passed on to Barry Hogue of Development Strategies, Inc.
Patricia Nolan also assisted in hosting 7 of the city’s largest employers, including the Casino Queen, Elementus, and St. Mary’s Hospital to secure their cooperation in administering a housing questionnaire to their staff.
NTAC staff assisted the University of Illinois in hosting a luncheon for large area employers. The goal of the luncheon was to enlist their support in the distribution and collection of employee surveys that asked them about their housing preferences. This data will be analyzed by Development Strategies, Inc. and used in marketing analysis.
In addition, NTAC hosted a "neighborhood leader" focus group to ascertain housing preferences of current employees.
NTAC staff assisted the Housing Authority by partially staffing its "Intergovernmental Agency Focus Group" on May 12th. The goal of this focus group was to get ideas for development potential from area agency representatives.
The NTAC Community Planner, Patricia Nolan, conducted an outreach session to local employers asking for their input on the Housing Authority’s plan to develop 361 new units of public housing. The session was facilitated by NTAC and University of Illinois staffs.
NTAC staff attended the August ESL-CAN meeting and facilitated the ESL-CAN retreat and strategic planning program.
East St. Louis Planning Commission
NTAC staff attended the East St. Louis Planning Commission’s first meeting on September 11, 1997. We were asked to provide additional training and materials for the next meeting. On September 25, 1997 NTAC staff, in coordination with CDBG staff, conducted a training session for the East St. Louis Planning Commission members, provided written materials, and answered commissioners’ questions. The training was well received and NTAC staff was invited back to future meetings in order to provide additional training and feedback.
NTAC staff attended the East St. Louis Planning Commission meetings on Thursday October, 9 and provided sample bylaws for review by the commission.
NTAC staff attended the November 13th East St. Louis Planning Commission meeting and assisted Planning Commission staff in answering questions and providing training materials for members.
NTAC staff prepared a zoning presentation for the East St. Louis Planning Commission that included ArcView Maps of the 12 major zones in East St. Louis. NTAC staff presented a primer on zoning for the East St. Louis Planning Commission that included ArcView Maps of the 12 major zones in East St. Louis. In addition, NTAC hosted a Planning Commissioner’s Workshop on Saturday, January 31. At that meeting three speakers came to discuss planning with the commissioners and CDBG/NTAC staff led a mock public hearing.
NTAC staff presented a revised schedule for meetings to the Planning Commission and laid a framework for development of a comprehensive plan for the city. Neighborhood associations will be asked to present their plans to the commission for consideration. The NTAC staff will provide information about Census data and unplanned neighborhoods. The Commission adopted the proposed timeline.
NTAC staff assisted in the monthly planning commission meeting. Staff member, Patricia Nolan, discussed Census data and its importance in the planning process.
NTAC staff assisted the Planning Commission by completing a mailing for their first public hearing by identifying all properties within 500 feet of petitioning property and producing a mailing for the city notifying residents of the hearing.
NTAC staff assisted in gathering data for the ParGo Manor Zoning case at 527 Washington Avenue. In addition staff conducted a site plan review and prepared a presentation for the zoning variance request.
NTAC staff researched Requests for Proposals used for comprehensive plans in cities similar to East St. Louis. A committee of the Planning Commission will use this research to create a Request for Proposals and solicit bids for the East St. Louis Comprehensive Plan.
East St. Louis Police Department
Francella Jackson, Enterprise Community Liaison to the police department, requested mapping assistance from the NTAC. Maps of East St. Louis safe havens were created for use at neighborhood meetings and in grant applications.
Patricia Nolan, Community Planner, attended a Weed and Seed Conference in order to learn about cutting edge practices to reduce crime in urban neighborhoods.
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar. This resulted in their successful submission of a $150,000 grant for an anti-drug program.
East St. Louis School District #189
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Edgemont Neighborhood Association
The NTAC provided eighteen student volunteers to canvass the Edgemont Neighborhood. Volunteers passed out flyers about the upcoming Edgemont meeting and succeeded in more than tripling the attendance from the previous meeting. The 15 residents who attended received presentation from University of Illinois students about hosting a Homeownership Seminar where residents will learn about winterization, rehabilitation, home loans, and other housing-related subjects.
NTAC staff attended a Weed and Seed meeting on behalf of Edgemont Neighborhood Association and secured $9,000 in funding for their homeownership seminar and winterization work.
At the request of the Edgemont Neighborhood Association the NTAC staff spent Friday, October 31 winterizing the home of Ms. Bootchee, a mentally impaired low-income, elderly resident at 8316 Grimont. Ms. Bootchee receives $465/month in income and owes $350/month in rent. Ms. Bootchee’s windows were caulked and sealed by the entire NTAC staff.
NTAC staff provided training in non-profit management for the Vice President of the Edgemont Neighborhood Association. Staff also assisted in formulating plans for a Homeownership Seminar in Edgemont for the Spring of 1998 and completed an updated Edgemont Land Use Survey during a University of Illinois volunteer work weekend.
NTAC staff updated the Edgemont Weed and Seed budget for submission to the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant application for $9,000 in funds was accepted several months ago, but a reorganization of priorities was required. Staff also prepared a database of residents who are potential attendees at a homeownership seminar scheduled for the Spring.
NTAC staff attended a planning meeting for Edgemont’s homeownership seminar, slated for March. NTAC will utilize funding provided by HUD-Community Outreach Partnership grant to fund a program wherein East St. Louis residents can receive assistance on housing maintenance/repair, home improvement loans, safety, and other concerns.
NTAC staff worked with a committee of neighborhood residents to line up vendors, and speakers for the March Edgemont Homeownership Seminar. Residents decided that this seminar should focus on providing information for current homeowners such as energy savings, and home-improvement loans. In addition residents who currently rent should be able to find information about how to get a mortgage loan and what assistance there is for low-income or first-time homebuyers.
NTAC staff assisted in presenting the First Annual Edgemont Homeownership Fair. This event was attended by over 120 residents seeking information about diverse topics including: how to get a mortgage loan, assistance there is for low-income or first-time homebuyers, energy saving tips, and many others. NTAC Design Specialist, Craig Miller, presented information about landscaping. Vendors at the Fair included Community Development Consultants, First Illinois, Magna, and Mercantile Banks, Community Development Block Grant, Peterson Housing Group, The Lung Association, the East St. Louis Police Department, and local hardware stores.
NTAC staff, upon request of Edgemont Neighborhood Association President Flossie Hunt conducted research on liquor licenses in Edgemont, citywide, and surrounding communities.
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Emerson Park Development Corporation
NTAC provided twelve University of Illinois volunteers for lot clean up in the Emerson Park neighborhood.
NTAC staff developed Emerson Park recruitment brochures and flyers for the neighborhood organization. Twelve University of Illinois volunteers worked with local residents to knock on doors, pass out flyers and informed residents how to get involved in the neighborhood organization. NTAC staff supervised twelve other students who conducted a land use survey that collected building condition, site condition, number of street trees, and land use for all 2,000 parcels in Emerson Park.
NTAC staff provided training in non-profit management for one member of the EPDC board. That member convinced the entire EPDC board of the importance of training and that organization has requested training for all of its members in January, February, and March of 1998.
NTAC staff assisted Emerson Park staff in updating their Weed and Seed budget for the U.S. Department of Justice.
NTAC staff led a board training session at the EPDC regular meeting. Residents in attendance learned about the roles and responsibilities of non-profit board members and methods for staff management. In addition, NTAC design staff toured sites with Vicki Forby, EPDC Director, that are designated for rehabilitation. The tour was to provide background preparation for a design charette to be led by NTAC design staff.
NTAC staff led a planning session in which residents were asked to identify neighborhood landmarks, strengths and weaknesses on various maps. The information was documented by University of Illinois students and will be compiled and presented to residents for analysis. Over thirty (30) residents were in attendance and participated in this session at the February Emerson Park meeting. The information obtained will be included in the Emerson Park Neighborhood Plan. The NTAC was also used as a base of operations for University of Illinois students conducting residential and institutional interviews for the Emerson Park plan.
NTAC staff assisted with the Emerson Park Neighborhood Summit. This step in the creation of the Emerson Park Neighborhood Plan involved thirty (30) residents leading in-depth discussions about their neighborhood’s future. NTAC staff provided assistance as facilitators for City Services and Youth and Family Development committees. In addition, NTAC staff created maps of neighborhood strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and problems using ARCVIEW G.I.S.
In addition Craig Miller developed schematics for EPDC’s new housing construction scheduled to begin in the Summer of 1998.
NTAC staff assisted Emerson Park with their CHDO proposal by editing and revising the submission with the EPDC executive director. NTAC staff also compiled census data, organizational history and helped develop goals and an implementation strategy for proposal.
NTAC staff also provided mapping services, including ownership of parcels targeted in the McCormack-Baron/EPDC tax credit project. In addition NTAC mapped data about current conditions including: presence of building, building occupancy, building condition, evidence of recent improvements, evidence of active improvements, fire evidence, inspection recommendations, size of buildings, site condition, sanitation violations, presence of trees and land use.
Craig Miller, NTAC Design Specialist, presented conceptual designs for single-family affordable housing which EPDC will build in the Summer of 1998.
Craig Miller, NTAC Design Specialist, completed designs for single-family affordable housing which EPDC will build in the Summer of 1998. In addition NTAC staff developed the schedules for that housing construction.
In addition NTAC staff assisted EPDC with amending its Articles of Incorporation so that it could officially become a development corporation. NTAC staff located and downloaded the appropriate forms from the Internet.
NTAC staff also participated in the creation of a new park across from Cannady School.
NTAC staff reviewed and recommended changes to Emerson Park Development Corporation’s CHDO grant application. In addition staff recruited volunteers to assist in flyering the Emerson Park neighborhood to increase the number of residents attending neighborhood meetings, and to recruit volunteers for the blitz build scheduled for July.
NTAC staff reviewed and edited EPDC’s Youthbuild application and wrote a letter of support. If this project is funded EPDC will provide training and jobs for local youth in the building construction trades. In addition staff spent a total of 3 days working as volunteer labor for the EPDC blitz build project. This project provided 2 single-family homes for low-income neighborhood residents.
NTAC staff created maps of the Emerson Park neighborhood delineating areas of interest for future housing development. In addition NTAC staff assisted in modifying zoning maps for the Emerson Park Development Corporation’s strategic plan. NTAC staff created a St. Clair County Auction information sheet for Emerson Park Development Corporation describing the auction process for Emerson Park residents. NTAC staff conducted a workshop on Tax Increment Financing for the Director and President of Emerson Park Development Corporation. A sample Tax Increment Financing budget was created for the development of 100 new single-family homes. NTAC staff created a table of Emerson Park parcels including the assessed value of property within the neighborhood’s boundaries.
Empowerment Zone
Starting in June, at the request of Diane Bonner, NTAC staff began working with the CDBG Planning Coordinator on completing an Empowerment Zone application in coordination with St. Louis officials. NTAC staff has attended community assessment team meetings and planning team meetings. Data gathering for community assessment began in June as well.
NTAC staff attended three meetings of the EZ Core Planning Team and Community Assessment Team. Staff gathered census data and made presentations at the Community Assessment Team meeting.
The NTAC staff created a community outreach plan for the Empowerment Zone in conjunction with FOCUS St. Louis. The East St. Louis Enterprise Community will be compensated $2,192 for NTAC staff time devoted to the Empowerment Zone. These funds can be reprogrammed for NTAC projects and core functions. NTAC staff began implementation of the community outreach plan by facilitating and documenting an August 22nd East St. Louis Empowerment Zone public engagement session. The session was attended by over 40 East St. Louis residents, business representatives, and elected officials. NTAC staff generated maps and conducted a spatial analysis of the churches, safe havens, and schools within the Empowerment Zone boundaries. NTAC staffed the first Riverfront Project team meeting on August 21st , the first Downtown project team meeting on August 27th, and the first Emerson Park project team meeting on August 28th. NTAC staff took primary responsibility for documentation and recording. Finally, NTAC staff completed all census data generation for the East St. Louis Empowerment Zone.
Fairlawn Neighborhood Association
NTAC assisted Fairlawn by recruiting and supervising volunteers for clearing of trash-strewn lots at 29th and Veronica.
Family Center
Sister Carol Lehmkuehl requested assistance with painting and scraping of the Family Center property at 705 Summit. This area has been targeted by Neighborhood Based Family Housing Initiative as the site for future new home construction.
Good Shepard Homeless Shelter
NTAC staff assisted Rev. Parthenia Morgan with tracking her utility bill and budgeting her expenses for the rest of the fiscal year. In addition, staff researched the feasibility of DCCA funding and CILA Group Home state certification for Good Shepard. As a result of that research staff will assist Good Shepard in preparing a DCCA grant.
NTAC staff assisted Good Shepard’s director, Parthenia Morgan, with compiling her bills for submission to CDBG. Assistance was also provided for contract re-negotiation.
NTAC staff assisted Good Shepard with writing and submitting its monthly status report to CDBG.
NTAC hosted a meeting with staff and volunteers wherein all parties reviewed existing procedures and duties with new volunteers. In addition participants discussed the feasibility of rehabilitating one of their buildings.
NTAC staff assisted Good Shepard Shelter developing a scope of work and estimate for rehabilitation of their building at 3028 Regent. In addition Patricia Nolan reviewed their $20,000 Emergency Shelter Grant proposal.
NTAC staff completed revisions to Good Shepard’s Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) application and conducted monthly utility bill accounting. In addition staff drafted correspondence for Good Shepard to CDBG concerning the 1997 ESG Grant completion.
Greyhound Track Club
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Griffin Center
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Haynes Miracle Temple
NTAC coordinated volunteers to assist parishioners of Haynes Miracle Temple with rehabilitating the old Boys Club for use as a future site of their congregation.
Hazel Bland Promise Center
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Helping Hand Homeless Shelter
NTAC’s community planner assisted in the development of a $25,000 Emergency Shelter Grant request.
Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities
NTAC staff assisted the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities by providing twelve University of Illinois Volunteers to clean the site surrounding the Dunham Centers for landscaping. This work was executed as in-kind labor for an Urban Resources Partnership (URPS) project.
NTAC design staff also completed as-built drawings for the Dunham URPS project.
NTAC staff provided Internet training to Jeanelle Stovall, Associate Director of the Katherine Dunham Centers, and developed an Annual Report for the centers. In addition staff assisted with the preparation of a quarterly report for the Benton Foundation grant that was used to purchase a computer.
Volunteers were recruited to rebuild a porch at the Dunham residence.
This project was led by Craig Miller, NTAC design specialist. Mr. Miller
also conducted an assessment of the Dunham Museum and began preparing specifications
for plumbing repairs to be funded by CDBG.
NTAC staff provided Non-Profit Management training to Jeanelle Stovall, Associate Director of the Katherine Dunham Centers, and began preliminary work on developing a web site for the Centers to fulfill requirements of its $3,000 Benton Foundation grant. In addition Craig Miller, Design Specialist, worked on plumbing specifications for the Centers. Mr. Miller also supervised the replacement of a portion of the performance floor used by the Katherine Dunham Children’s Workshop.
NTAC staff continued to work with the Dunham Board on budget and finance issues that led to the current debt that is plaguing the facility. An accounting system is to be set up by January 1, 1998.
NTAC staff provided Non-Profit Management training to Jeanelle Stovall, Associate Director of the Katherine Dunham Centers, and began preliminary work on developing a web site for the Centers to fulfill requirements of its $3,000 Benton Foundation grant.
NTAC staff attended the regular monthly meeting of the Katherine Dunham Board. In addition NTAC design specialist, Craig Miller, attended a pre-construction meeting with CDBG staff, Dunham board members, and Hendricks plumbing. Mr. Miller also assisted with the Dunham URPS landscaping project by meeting with Dunham staff and Ted Wofford, project architect.
NTAC staff attended the regular monthly meeting of the Katherine Dunham Board. NTAC design specialist, Craig Miller, assisted in getting a signed contract for the Dunham plumbing project.
In addition NTAC staff assisted KDCAH in writing a grant proposal to the Illinois Arts Council and in documenting URPS in-kind services.
Completed final report to the Benton Foundation for the KDCAH On-line grant. In addition, NTAC staff assisted in writing a funding proposal for a Reader’s Digest Folk Grant, and staffed the monthly Katherine Dunham Board of Director’s meeting.
NTAC staff organized and supervised 20 students’ volunteer efforts on behalf of the Dunham Museum landscape project being undertaken with URPS funds. Craig Miller, NTAC Design Specialist, also provided construction management services to the Dunham Centers for their CDBG-funded plumbing project.
NTAC staff completed work on the first phase of website construction. The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities has a temporary website located at /ntac/Dunham.htm. Additional content will be added in coming months.
NTAC staff created a mailing list for Dunham Board members and organized a Board Meeting. In addition, staff conducted research on public funding and grants from local banks. NTAC design staff contacted area contractors to bid on the Dunham Landscaping and Plumbing projects.
Craig Miller, NTAC Architect executed the final drawings for the Katherine Dunham Artisinal village, an Urban Resource Project funded undertaking. Mr. Miller also completed final closeouts for the Dunham Plumbing Project, a CDBG funded undertaking. In addition staff attended and facilitated the Dunham Advisory Board Meeting.
Land of Lincoln Legal Services
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Lansdowne Improvement Association
NTAC provided twelve volunteers to meet a request for assistance from the Lansdowne Improvement Association. Volunteers cleaned lots alongside Americorps volunteers as part of Lansdowne’s URPS project.
NTAC was asked to recruit University of Illinois volunteers to clean lots as part of Lansdowne’s URPS project. University of Illinois volunteers were used as in-kind match on this project.
Neighborhood Law Office
NTAC assisted the Neighborhood Law Office through grant writing for the Pollution Prevention project submitted to the E.P.A. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with the East St. Louis Community Action Network and New Spirit Neighborhood Organizing Office.
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar. This resulted in the successful submission of a $30,000 grant for operating funds.
NTAC staff assisted Ms. Kathleen O’Keefe in preparing an application for The Greater East St. Louis Community Funds to continue operations. The NTAC Director also provided a letter of support for Ms. O’Keefe’s Urban Resource Partnership (URP) grant application.
New Spirit Organizing Office
Staff collected data about Safe Havens in response to a request for information form ONS staff.
NTAC staff provided Toya Nash and Michelle Green with Non-Profit Management Training. They have requested training for their board members in early 1998.
The NTAC Director met with Toya Nash of New Spirit on three occasions in February to assist in planning Spring and Summer neighborhood activities. These meetings, including the New Spirit Board meeting, are part of a concerted effort to coordinate the activities of New Spirit, NTAC, and the East St. Louis Community Action Network. This coordination will prevent duplication and help further the mission of all three organizations.
The NTAC Director met with Toya Nash of New Spirit, James Jones of ESL-CAN, and Kathleen O’Keefe of the Neighborhood Law Office. Each of these organizations have engaged in environmental activity with East St. Louis residents and NTAC staff agreed to assist in writing an E.P.A. Pollution Prevention grant if the groups collaborated. This grant would focus on educating East St. Louis residents about environmental conditions and preventing pollution through organizing and training efforts. This grant would strengthen the three organizations and simultaneously continue the consolidation of activities referred to in last month’s report.
In addition, NTAC staff updated New Spirit’s neighborhood maps.
NTAC assisted New Spirit by providing volunteers to collaborate with them on Operation Bag-It; a program designed to clean up rights-of-way along major thoroughfares. In addition NTAC assisted the New Spirit Organizing Office by providing grant writing assistance for their Pollution Prevention project submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. The latter project will be undertaken in conjunction with the Neighborhood Law Office and East St. Louis Community Action Network.
Staff developed a street and neighborhood boundary map of the Beacon Heights neighborhood for use in New Spirit’s Summer Youth Employment Program.
NTAC assisted in preparing New Spirit application for Greater East St. Louis Community Fund monies needed to expand code enforcement activities.
Olivette Park Neighborhood Association
Assisted the Olivette Park Neighborhood Association with preparing its "Self Development of People Grant" This grant requests $5,000 for the purchase of a lawnmower, supplies and stipends for youth workers.
NTAC staff assisted Olivette Park with their largest annual gathering, the Olivette Park Neighborhood Halloween Party. Staff assisted by drafting a fundraising letter, recruiting volunteers and staffing the event. In addition, staff recruited 12 University of Illinois volunteers to clean and clear the Bolden Community Garden in preparation for future landscaping with URPS funds.
NTAC staff assisted Olivette Park by providing Non-Profit Management Training for its President, Mamie Bolden.
NTAC staff worked with Land of Lincoln Legal Services to complete Olivette Park’s Internal Revenue Service application for 501(c)3 non-profit status. Research on available property on Veronica Place was also completed for the neighborhood organization. This preliminary information was gathered for possible future land reclamation activities.
NTAC staff attended the February Olivette Park meeting and answered questions about community development activities in the city. Olivette Park requested assistance in procuring a riding lawn mower with their recently awarded grant funds.
NTAC staff assisted OPNA with writing and submitting an URPS pre-proposal designed to demolish derelict structures, and then landscape and maintain the lots.
Patricia Nolan assisted the Olivette Park Neighborhood Association with non-profit management by organizing a Clean Up Committee with their Board of Directors. In addition NTAC staff assisted in the purchase of equipment for lot clean up project. The purchase of two lawn trimmers and lawn mower was made with grant funds obtained from previous assistance.
The NTAC also completed its assistance on OPNA’s URPS funding application. The application was submitted on May 8th.
NTAC staff assisted in preparing Olivette Park’s URPS presentation and in devising a budget for Neighborhood Carnival/Picnic.
NTAC staff assisted OPNA in revising their Urban Resource Partnership application. NTAC staff assisted in creating a partnership between OPNA and Uni-Pres Kindercottage for a community gardening and open space classroom project.
Project Success
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Rush City Improvement Association
NTAC staff assisted OPNA with writing and submitting an URPS pre-proposal designed to demolish derelict structures, and then landscape and maintain the lots.
NTAC staff attended the June Rush City meeting and assisted in preparing their URPS presentation.
Senior Citizens Activities of St. Clair County
NTAC staff assisted SCA with the development of a fundraising letter and scheme for their annual open house.
At the request of the United Way, NTAC staff participated in a Board of Directors Training session at the SCA Annual Retreat. Board and staff management were the focus of 2 hours of training for 14 members of the Board and 1 staff person.
NTAC staff created a fundraising letter for the Senior Citizens Activity Center for the 2nd Annual Fundraiser. Eleanor Gregory, Director of the Center used the letter to solicit funds from local residents, businesspersons, and others to support the Center’s core programs for senior citizens of St. Clair County.
South End New Development Organization
NTAC staff assisted the neighborhood association by documenting sanitation code violations and photographing sites where demolition recently occurred.
NTAC staff assisted SENDO with writing and submitting an URPS pre-proposal designed to demolish derelict structures, and then landscape and maintain the lots.
Teach Inc.
NTAC staff met with representatives of this aspiring 501©3 to share information on grantwriting. Staff also reviewed a Teach Inc. funding proposal and compiled a report on possible local funding sources.
United Way Volunteer Center
NTAC staff worked to initiate a volunteer center to coordinate volunteer activities for non-profit groups in East St. Louis. Staff attended four planning meetings, compiled a mailing list and gave input on the center’s design, function and outreach program.
Urban League
Attended the NTAC-sponsored Grantsmanship Training Seminar.
Urban Resources Partnership Board
NTAC staff assisted the URPS board by preparing a map of URPS recipients who are also receiving funds from Community Development Block Grant. NTAC staff also took URPS Board Members on a tour of several sites where University of Illinois volunteers were working.
Winstanley Industry/Park Neighborhood Organization
The NTAC provided volunteers to clean, weed, and mow the East St. Louis Farmer’s Market grounds. This beautification effort came in the midst of the busiest season for the Farmer’s Market and was requested by the Winstanley organization.
Volunteers also cleaned and mowed the Illinois Avenue Playground.
The NTAC asked the University to supply volunteers to clean out an abandoned apartment building and adjacent property at 1845-47 St. Louis Avenue. This site is a part of a CDBG-funded rental rehabilitation program.
NTAC staff met with the WIPNO board and agreed to assist in the completion of 1845-1847 St. Louis HOME rental rehabilitation project. NTAC design staff agreed to commence on as-built drawings of the property and a "boiler-plate" funding proposal. NTAC staff agreed to research possible funding sources and will utilize the as-built drawings to develop schemes for rehabilitation of the building.
NTAC design staff completed as-built drawings of the property and a submitted a draft "boiler-plate" funding proposal and a four possible funding sources. The funding proposal was revised after input from the WIPNO Board and conceptual drawings were submitted as well.
NTAC staff assisted in clearing out 1845-1847 St. Louis Avenue building to further work on this project. NTAC also assisted in placing advertisements for the Project Coordinator position required by CDBG. The ad ran in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, East St. Louis Monitor, East St. Louis Journal, and Belleville News-Democrat.
NTAC assisted WIPNO in May by requesting lost bank statements for completion of their financial reports, establishing an agenda for a meeting with members of their Board of Directors, and writing a memorandum to their full board documenting the work completed to date. NTAC staff anticipates more work will be completed with WIPNO in the coming months under close supervision of CDBG.
NTAC assisted WIPNO in June by attending regular meetings and board meetings and providing assistance in identifying a course of action to complete their CHDO.
NTAC took on the role of Project Coordinator for the WIPNO Community Housing Development Organization project. In this way we have instituted regular meetings with WIPNO Board members and spoken to CDBG and the contractor about possible methods to finish the project.
NTAC Design Specialist, Craig Miller, conducted an assessment of the WIPNO 1240/1242 building and ascertained that the project was 70% complete. Mr. Miller also served as liaison between the WIPNO Board and CDBG staff.