Summary
| Neighborhood Organizations assisted - | 12 |
| Faith Based Organizations assisted - | 16 |
| Municipal Agencies assisted - | 5 |
| Non-Profit Organizations assisted - | 5 |
Introduction
June was an exciting month at the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center. On June 16th, Ms. Cathy Klump began as the new Director. Cathy recently graduated with a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois. During her time at the University, she served as a research assistant with the East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP). Over the past four years she has assisted non-profit organizations with physical improvement projects, grant writing, and long-range strategic planning. Cathy, a native of Chicago, co-authored the 1998 Emerson Park Revitalization Plan with the residents of Emerson Park. Cathy is skilled in neighborhood planning, grant writing, non-profit management and community organizing. She has also worked as a Planner for the City of Champaign. Her goal is to assist neighborhood organizations in the Enterprise Community and to expand NTAC’s services for all who seek them.
We applaud Mr. Miller on the tremendous efforts he put forth on carrying the NTAC through the Spring. As the Interim Director, Mr. Miller maintained quality technical assistance in the face of a staff shortage. We are very appreciative of his efforts and happy to say that he will now be able to devote himself once again to his trade as an architect and designer. I would like to thank the ESLARP Executive Committee, Mr. Percy Harris, Coordinator of the Enterprise Community, Mr. Lynn Baker, Program Manager of the Enterprise Community and Mr. Vince Kwaitkowski of St. Clair County for continuing to support the NTAC through the growing joys and pains of staff-turnover.
In addition to staff turn-overs, the NTAC has also expanded its service area. Since its opening in August of 1996, the NTAC has served organizations only within the East St. Louis boundaries. With recent funding from the Enterprise Community, the NTAC now serves Alorton, Brooklyn, Centreville, Washinton Park and East St. Louis. Our service area has grown by 16 square miles and approximately 20,000 people, but our staff has not increased. The NTAC is committed to serving the entire Enterprise Community and is working hard to improve our efficiency and increase our capacity to make new partners and build the capacity of existing organizations. As you know, serving this larger area with the existing staff has been a challenge for the NTAC – a challenge that we continue to meet and succeed at.
The NTAC completed the May/June newsletter in June. This publication includes information and updates from many of the NTAC partner organizations throughout the Enterprise Community. The articles contained in the newsletter are written predominantly by local residents and it is distributed to over 150 residents and organizations. The NTAC plans to expand the scope and the distribution of the newsletter in the near future.
The NTAC is very pleased to report that we have an intern from the Jackie Joyner Kersee Youth Foundation Internship Program assigned to us this summer. Ms. Candice Borders joined our staff on June 14th. Ms. Borders, a resident of Brooklyn, attends Lovejoy High School. At the NTAC she will perform a variety of administrative activities and hopefully learn about community development. Given her current interest in youth development, the NTAC has been granted permission to share Candice’s time with the Brooklyn Family Resource Center. She will spend every Thursday in Brooklyn as a Youth Aid. This is part of the NTAC’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance to organizations in Brooklyn.
Below is a summary of the organizations that the NTAC provided assistance to.
Aldersgate Community Development Center Landscaping Contest
NTAC provided Aldersgate with a lighting survey and parcel-based data for all parcels in Edgemont. This data includes, land area, property address and owner information.
The NTAC also served as a judge in the Edgemont / Aldersgate landscaping contest on June 18th.
Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc. (ANSI)
On June 8 and 22, ESLARP and NTAC staff and the members of ANSI organized and facilitated the ANSI neighborhood meetings. The organization is holding general membership meetings twice per month in an effort to work more intensely on the completion of their neighborhood plan. The NTAC assists the ESLARP planning team in doing outreach for the meetings and serves as a local liaison for Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc.
In June, ASNI and the ESLARP planning team concentrated on developing strategies to build the capacity of the neighborhood organization and strategies for economic development. In July, the group will focus on crime prevention and infrastructure improvements. The regular meeting of ASNI is on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in St. Regis Church. Through August, they also have meetings on the forth Tuesday of the month.
Carver Community Center Roofing Project
NTAC provided construction management services for the Carver Community Center roofing project. The construction management services included daily site visits (construction review); writing field reports that were submitted to the client and CDBG; scheduling; review of change orders; review and approval of application and certificate of payment forms, correspondence with the funder (CDBG) and owner (Carver Community Center Board of Directors). This project was completed on June 8, 1999.
Christian Activity Center
The NTAC assisted the Christian Activity Center in placing volunteers at the Dunham Museum to help them prepare for Ms. Dunham’s 90th Birthday Celebration.
Citizens for a Decent Community – Washington Park
During June, the NTAC staff met with Mr. Lafayette P. Canada, President of Citizens for a Decent Community to begin planning the installation of a new entranceway sign in Washington Park. Mr. Canada indicated that they have acquired the sign and are awaiting approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The NTAC will assist Citizens for a Decent Community in landscaping the site and arranging volunteers.
The NTAC is also working with their Board to organize and fund their annual Back-to-School Picnic scheduled for August. The NTAC will assist with fundraising for this event.
Community Development Block Grant Operations Corporation
The NTAC prepared a local needs assessment survey for CDBG and attended the CDBG Public Notice Meeting on June 7th to learn about the future program activities of CDBG.
Community Report on Channel 13 with Linda Jones
On June 14, the NTAC was featured on Channel 13’s "Community Report". The NTAC introduced its new staff and provided a brief description of the services that we provide. Ms. Jones has indicated that she received very positive feedback from our airtime.
East St. Louis Community Action Network (ESL CAN)
The NTAC staff attended the ESL CAN monthly meeting on June 19th to introduce the new director to the organization. The NTAC also started creating a new mapping initiative where each member organization of ESL CAN will be provided with a set of maps just for their neighborhood parcels. These maps can be used for outreach, tracking improvements, grant applications and data collection. NTAC anticipates finishing these map sets by the end of July.
East St. Louis Housing Authority Capital Fund Steering Committee
As part of an ongoing partnership between the NTAC and the ESL Housing Authority, the NTAC participated in the Capital Funds Steering Committee on June 15, 22, and 29. During these meetings, NTAC staff and other local representatives devise goals and strategies for the future use of Housing Authority Capital Funds. This committee is just one of several that meet to develop new policies and procedures for the ESL Housing Authority.
East St. Louis Planning Commission
As in the past, the NTAC Director will continue to staff the ESL Planning Commission. At the request of Damon Smith, Cathy Klump has been researching and writing the Plan Commission reports while a student at the University of Illinois and Stevie Cox, Planner with CDBG has been making the presentations. Cathy will continue to staff the Plan Commission. In July, the NTAC prepared land use cases 99-003 and 99-004. This involved site visits, land use reports, public hearing mailings, maps for plan commission packets, and staff recommendations.
Edgemont Neighborhood Association
The Edgemont Neighborhood Association is interested in purchasing and renovating the Hardees building on State Street as a community center with commercial office space. On June 8th, the NTAC contacted Ms. Cheryl Oliver to inquire about the owner of the building.
Emerson Park Development Corporation
The NTAC attended EPDC’s monthly meeting on June 8th. On June 24th, the NTAC attended a luncheon in honor of Ms. Mary Jo Moore from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Several months ago, the NTAC assisted EPDC in writing a proposal to become a Neighborworks member. Ms. Moore interviewed the NTAC staff regarding our opinions of EPDC and the Emerson Park neighborhood.
The NTAC assisted EPDC in making final revisions to the 1999 Emerson Park Neighborhood Revitalization Plan at the request of EPDC and the Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative. The revisions included updated maps and a new housing proposal developed by Peoria Development Group Midwest and CDBG. The NTAC developed a slide show presentation of the Plan to be used in upcoming presentations by the EPDC board and staff. The revised plan has been presented to the Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative Board and CDBG. The NTAC will continue to provide assistance to Emerson Park as they make progress on the implementation of their Neighborhood Plan and prepare for the Parsons Place groundbreaking.
Enterprise Community - General
The NTAC prepared an update of all projects and contacts made in the Enterprise Community areas of Centreville, Alorton, Brooklyn and Washington Park since January of 1999. The NTAC met with Mr. Harris, EC Coordinator to introduce the new NTAC staff and discuss future programming and funding. The NTAC also requested and received a Letter of Support from Mr. Harris for the University of Illinois’ $150,000 grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s COPC program.
As part of the NTAC’s ongoing efforts to expand our services to the Enterprise Community, we contacted all the City Halls for any information that had on local organizations. We then phoned each of the organizations to fully explain the services of NTAC and to solicit articles for the newsletter. The NTAC mailed a "Technical Assistance Request Form" to every organization in the EC and a flyer that explains our services.
Faith-Based Organizing Initiative
After several unsuccessful attempts to meet with local religious organizations, Mr. Percy Harris drafted a letter to all religious leaders indicating the services that the NTAC could provide to their organizations and the "one-time" nature of financial assistance for 501c3 applications. The NTAC distributed that letter to 150 religious organizations in the Enterprise Community. The letter has received a positive response in our office. Approximately twenty of the 150 organizations have followed up with the NTAC stating their interest in this new initiative. We have informed each of these organizations that their names are being placed on an "Interest List" and that they will be contacted shortly.
Rather that having individual meetings with each of the religious organizations, the NTAC has scheduled a Workshop for July 24th at the East St. Louis Community College Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At this Workshop, all religious organizations interested in receiving assistance from the NTAC and the EC will learn about collaborating with other religious and neighborhood organizations, the pros and cons of tax-exempt 501c3 status and also learn about what is required to apply for a 501c3. Representatives from the University of Illinois Law Clinic and the Land of Lincoln will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be brief presentations on capital development projects, coalition building and partnerships and fundraising. A mailing for this Workshop will go out on July 9, 1999.
Faith Based Organizations that express interest in pursuing assistance after the Workshop will then be scheduled into the NTAC work program to move their 501c3 and technical assistance needs forward. Each time a religious organization completes the necessary paperwork with the NTAC, their information will be forward to the University of Illinois Law Clinic for processing. The application fees will be waived for 16 organizations.
Below is list of religious organizations that have expressed interest in FBO assistance and they have all been placed on the "Interest List" and will receive priority for a 501c3 fee waiver sponsored by the Enterprise Community.
15th Street Baptist Church
Bethlehem Church
Aldersgate Community United Methodist
Bethel Christian Worship Center
Bray Temple CME Church
Bread of Life Christian Church
Bride of Christ
Church of God Community Worship Center
Community Mission Church of God in Christ
Family of God Church
Haynes Miracle Temple Church
Mitchell Tabernacle CME Church
Mount Sinai Baptist Church
Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
New Life Bethel
New Macedonia Church
Pilgrim Temple CME Church
Quinn Chapel AME
Southern Tabernacle
Wesley Bethel United Methodist Church
In June, the NTAC began assembling a packet of information on faith-based initiatives as well as a comprehensive collection of foundations that regularly fund religious institutions.
Fairlawn Neighborhood Association
The NTAC met with Ms. Loraine LaChanc to discuss how the NTAC can assist their organization in developing their membership and recruiting new board members. The NTAC will work with Fairlawn to prepare for their next meeting on July 22.
Golden Garden, Inc. – Centreville
On June 29, the NTAC met with Mr. Fair-Kincaid about developing a partnership to assist his organization with becoming incorporated, obtaining their 501c3 and helping them to develop their vision for the re-use of a building in Centreville for a youth empowerment program. The NTAC is collecting Centreville data, a list of contacts, and working on their incorporation and 501c3 paperwork. In the future, the NTAC will assist with grant writing and possible design alternatives for rehab work. This is a new NTAC partner who was referred to us by a family member in East St. Louis.
Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities – African Artesian Village
The NTAC administrated the Urban Resources Partnership Grant funding for this project. Our services included submitting a 20% advance of the remaining balance of the grant to URPS; updating the budget; documenting how much money was spent by the contractor (collecting invoices and receipts from the contractor), etc. On June 4, NTAC prepared for the outreach weekend at the Dunham Museum sponsored by the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church. Unfortunately, due to the extremely hot weather the volunteer event was cancelled.
The NTAC also continued to provide computer access and office equipment to the Dunham staff at their request.
Lansdowne Neighborhood Steering Committee
On June 10 and 15, the NTAC met with residents to assist them in becoming a part of the Lansdowne Improvement Association or alternatively, to start a new neighborhood organization. We also wrote letters to Mr. James King and Dr. Baden requesting their presence at the meetings. The NTAC has created a mailing list of over 200 resident in Lansdowne to assist the Steering Committee in their outreach efforts and the NTAC created neighborhood maps for the group.
Metropolitan Communications Association
The NTAC met with Mr. Gerald Quincy Jones, President of MCA, regarding assisting his organization acquire articles of incorporation and 501c3 status. We also discussed additional NTAC program activities that MCA is eligible to take advantage of. The MCA is a new contact for the NTAC.
Mount Siani Baptist Church
On June 16, the NTAC met with Rev. Herman Watson to discuss the NTAC services and the pros and cons of 501c3 status. On June 28th, at the request of Rev. Watson the NTAC made a presentation to the pastors of the New Salem District Association. The NTAC distributed our current newsletter and "Request for Assistance" forms to about twenty-five pastors. We also described the EC funded Faith Based Organizing Initiative. There seems to be considerable interest among the Pastors and several have agreed to attend the FBO workshop on July 24th.
Morning Star Baptist Church
On June 1st, the NTAC met with Rev. Danny Hubbard and Steve Saunders regarding assisting them with grant writing for the future development of a large multi-functional complex and day care center adjacent to the Morning Star Church. The NTAC staff will attend weekly meetings to assist the church in locating various funding sources and will provide grant-writing services for this project.
To move forward with the project, the NTAC wrote a grant with Morning Star to the St. Clair County Health Board 708 and a Bright Ideas Grant to Illinois Power. The NTAC also created a form letter of inquiry to be used by Morning Star when they seek out additional foundation support.
Neighbors United for Progress - Centreville
Neighbors United for Progress is moving forward on the Neighbors Place One landscaping project funded by the Urban Resources Partnership (URP). On June 22 and 30, the NTAC met with Mr. Grimmet and Mr. Irving to prepare the budget for this project. The NTAC and New Spirit have organized volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints to prepare the site on July 10th.
New Spirit Neighborhood Organizing Office
On June 28, the NTAC met with Ms. Toya Nash to develop a plan for moving forward on the creation of a greenway trail from the riverfront through Franklin Park, South End and Alta Sita. As part of this plan, the NTAC agreed to prepare maps of the site, digitize possible paths, prepare displays for each of the alternatives, assist at community meetings and ultimately sketch potential designs.
Olivette Park Neighborhood Association
The NTAC attended the monthly meeting of OPNA on June 3rd and updated the organization on the status of 1998/1999 Urban Resource Partnership funds.
State Housing Action Coalition (SHAC)
The NTAC met with Ms. Judy Meima of SHAC to discuss possible collaboration on future training and technical assistance provided to metro-east area organizations.
South End New Development Organization
On June 2, the NTAC attended SENDO’s monthly meeting. At the request of their Board, the NTAC is working to program a comprehensive neighborhood plan into the activities of the East St. Louis Action Research Project. The NTAC should know by August if the University is able to fulfill this request for a comprehensive planning process.
The NTAC prepared a flood zone map of the South End neighborhood and re-plotted their boundaries.
Washington Park Weed and Seed Program / Crime Prevention Summit
On June 28, the NTAC submitted a Memorandum of Agreement to Bruce Reppert, Assistant U.S. Attorney, committing the NTAC’s services to Washington Park. The NTAC also attended a meeting with residents of Washington Park, Mr. Reppert, Illinois State Police and the Washington Park Police Chief to discuss the structure of the Weed and Seed program, organize a schedule for committee meetings and brainstorm on ways to involve additional residents of Washington Park. The NTAC will serve on the Community Development Weed and Seed sub-committee.
At the request of CORO and Washington Park’s Weed and Seed, the NTAC prepared and released a public service announcement to local media regarding the Washington Park Youth Police Academy and Asset Mapping program to be held in July and August.
Winstanley/Industry Park Neighborhood Organization
The NTAC provided construction administration services for this project at 1240-1242 Gaty Avenue. Services included assisting WIPNO obtain an appraisal for the sale of the property and meetings with WIPNO Board of Directors, CDBG and the Housing Authority of East St. Louis regarding the sale of the Gaty Avenue and St. Louis Avenue properties.
The NTAC attended the monthly meeting of WIPNO on June 18th.
Administrative
With the recent staff turn-over, their has been more administrative work than usual as the new director becomes acclimated to working at the NTAC. Mr. Miller and Mrs. Burton-Webb have provided the support that Ms. Klump needed to make the transition.
The staff also completed their annual self-assessment documents for the University of Illinois. The NTAC has assisted the ESLARP in submitted a grant proposal from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If awarded, this grant will provide $150,000 over the next two years to be split between the NTAC office and the campus-based ESLARP. It is our hope that this grant will allow the NTAC to hire a much needed planner to serve specifically our new service areas of Alorton, Washington Park, Centreville and Brooklyn.
Monthly Budget*
| Vendor | Budget Category | Amount |
| Cathy Klump, Director (Start 6/16/99) | Salary | $738.89 |
| Craig A. Miller, Sr., Interim Director/Architect | Salary | $3,250.00 |
| LaTonya Burton, Community Planner | Salary | $2,666.67 |
| U of I Benefits | Benefits | $3,247.93 |
| C.L. Wicks | Rent | $750.00 |
| AmerenUE | Utilities | $257.72 |
| Illinois Power | Utilities | NA as of 6/9 |
| TOTAL | $10,911.21 |