Summary

# of Neighborhood Organizations assisted: 8

# of Faith-Based Organizations assisted: 1

# of Municipal Agencies assisted: 2

# of Non-Profits assisted: 3

Introduction

The month of May was the last month with work weekends from University of Illinois students. The East St. Louis Action Research Project utilized funds from its final year contract with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to bring approximately fifty (50) students to work in East St. Louis. Projects were completed in Emerson Park and Olivette Park neighborhoods.

NTAC staff also met with a number of outside agencies inquiring about community development in East St. Louis. One of those agencies was the Illinois State Board of Education who toured the NTAC and asked about how consolidation of East St. Louis Senior and Lincoln High Schools may affect community organizations and activities surrounding Senior High.

Finally, on May 13^th NTAC staff shuttled 13 community residents to Champaign for a presentation of Spring Neighborhood Action Projects (SNAP). A report from the East St. Louis Action Research Project website is attached.

Adventures in Motivation (AIM)

Patricia Nolan, NTAC Community Planner, attended her 4^th 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.

Alta Sita Community Development Corporation

NTAC staff completed their assistance to Sandra Reeves of the Alta Sita Development Corporation for submission of her URPS pre-proposal to develop Virginia Park. The applications were submitted on May 8^th.

East St. Louis Community Action Network (ESL-CAN)

NTAC assisted the ESL-CAN Director to establish a 1997-1998 workplan for the organizations. The assistance included training in strategic planning and prioritizing multiple objectives.

East St. Louis Housing Authority

NTAC staff assisted the Housing Authority by partially staffing its "Intergovernmental Agency Focus Group" on May 12^th. The goal of this focus group was to get ideas for development potential from area agency representatives.

East St. Louis Planning Commission

NTAC staff prepared and delivered a presentation on the Olivette Park neighborhood for the Planning Commissioners.

Emerson Park Development Corporation

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.

Good Shepard Homeless Shelter

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.

Haynes Miracle Temple

NTAC coordinated volunteers to assist parishoners of Haynes Miracle Temple with rehabilitating the old Boys Club for use as a future site of their congregation.

Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities

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.

Olivette Park Neighborhood Association (OPNA)

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 8^th.

Rush City Improvement Association

NTAC staff completed its work on an URPS pre-proposal designed to demolish derelict structures, and then landscape and maintain the lots. The proposal was submitted on May 8^th.

Senior Citizens Activity Center of St. Clair County (SCA)

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.

South End Neighborhood Development Organization

NTAC staff assisted OPNA with writing and submitting an URPS pre-proposal designed to demolish derelict structures, and then landscape and maintain the lots. The proposal was submitted on May 8^th.

Winstanley Industry/Park Neighborhood Association (WIPNO)

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.

Budget*