Summary

# of Neighborhood Organizations assisted: 5

# of Faith-Based Organizations assisted: 1

# of Municipal Agencies assisted: 2

# of Non-Profits assisted: 4

Introduction

This report is the first monthly report due to the Greater East St. Louis Enterprise Communities (EC) and St. Clair County Intergovernmental Operations (IGD). Once final report procedures are conveyed by the EC a monthly report will be forwarded to Lyn Baker, EC Program Manager and Vince Kwiatkowski, IGD Program Manager on the 10^th of each month.

On September 23^rd - 26^th the NTAC staff participated in the Community Outreach Partnership Conference (COPC) held at Metropolitan Community College in East St. Louis. Over 150 scholars and community activists attended this conference to discuss university-community partnerships. East St. Louis was chosen as the site for the 1998 COPC because of the innovative and effective community-university partnerships established here. NTAC staff served as hosts, panel moderators, facilitators, and logistical support during the conference. Due to conference preparation/participation and intensive schedule of the Empowerment Zone planning process NTAC served fewer clients in September than is customary.

Training

In September the NTAC Community Planner, Patricia Nolan assisted in developing and staffing the CORO Foundation’s Neighborhood Leadership Training Program. This six-week program involved resident leaders from the Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc., Emerson Park Development Corporation, East St. Louis Community Action Network, Washington Park’s New Vision, and other neighborhood groups from East St. Louis and the surrounding communities. The leadership training included sessions on getting answers from people of influence, strategic planning, and building democratic organizations. The training was part of NTAC’s continued commitment to capacity building within area neighborhood associations and non-profits.

Adventures in Motivation

Patricia Nolan, NTAC Community Planner, met with Stanford Scott and Rufus Williams to prepare a presentation on the AIM Action Park.

Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc.

NTAC provided a letter of support for Alta Sita’s Enterprise Community grant application.

Centerville

NTAC staff met with a group of Centerville residents interested in organizing a neighborhood organization. The residents, from Trendley and Piggot avenues met at Bride of Christ church, 2642 Market Avenue and NTAC staff gave a presentation on neighborhood organizing and 501©3 organizations. Patricia Nolan, NTAC Community Planner headed this activity in furtherance of the St. Clair County IGD grant.

Christian Activity Center,

NTAC Community Planner, Patricia Nolan, assisted with the development of a CDBG proposal on behalf of the Christian Activity Center. In addition Patricia researched other funding sources.

Citizens for Future

NTAC provided computer access to the Director of Citizens for the Future, David Wilson. Mr. Wilson created budgets for the organization and used Internet access to research potential funders.

East St. Louis Planning Commission

NTAC staff prepared maps of firehouses in the City and analyzed the service areas of current firehouses. The planning commission used this information to recommend the location of a new firehouse.

Emerson Park Development Corporation (EPDC)

NTAC staff created maps of single-family home development sites for Emerson Park’s Youthbuild application.

Empowerment Zone (EZ)

The NTAC staff began creating maps for the Empowerment Zone application in early September. NTAC staff continued its community outreach plan by facilitating all 6 September Empowerment Zone public meetings and hosting two in East St. Louis. NTAC staff generated maps and conducted a spatial analysis of the churches, safe havens, and schools within the Empowerment Zone boundaries. NTAC staffed the Downtown project team meeting on September 9^th, and an Emerson Park project team meeting on September 10^th. NTAC staff took primary responsibility for documentation and recording projects at these meetings.

Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities

NTAC staff conducted the September board meeting for the Katherine Dunham Centers. Recent Dunham initiatives to clean up and prepare the museum for tours were discussed and a request to partner with Project Rowhouses, a non-profit housing developer, was taken up by the board. A meeting with Project Rowhouses was scheduled for October. NTAC staff provided in-kind documentation for the Dunham URPS project as well. Craig Miller continued to oversee the Katherine Dunham construction projects, including site preparation for the construction of thatch huts and final change orders for the plumbing projects.

Olivette Park Neighborhood Association

Patricia Nolan set up accounting and bookkeeping for the Olivette Park Neighborhood Picnic expenditures.

Uni-Pres Kindercottage

NTAC staff provided a training program for Brenda Crisp on tax increment financing and consulted on construction and operating costs for a new daycare facility.

Winstanley Industry/Park Neighborhood Association (WIPNO)

NTAC staff conducted meetings with Mr. Henry Sandow (contractor), CDBG HOME, WIPNO Board of Directors, and WIPNO’s lawyer Attorney Bush to attempt to re-start the rehabilitation of 1240-1242 Gaty.

Budget*