NTAC JANUARY UPDATE

 

Submitted By:

Damon Y. Smith, Project Coordinator

 

Introduction

The month of January saw little new activity but a lot of follow up work by staff.  The following list includest the technical assistance provided by staff in the month of January.

 

Alta Sita Neighborhood Association

The NTAC staff completed the Citizen Action Workshop on demolition and code enforcement.  Participants received all documents in binders for use on future code enforcement activities.  A copy of the workshop materials is attached.

 

Faith-Based Family Housing Initiative

The NTAC consulted the coalition of non-profits interested in developing housing in the Emerson Park neighborhood.  These entities include the Emerson Park Development Corporation, The Family Center, Catholic Urban Programs, and Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House.  The NTAC provided descriptions of conventional housing needs and a means square foot estimate of costs. 

 

Carver Community Center

Staff reviewed the Carver Community Center’s bylaws and 501(c)3 application.  The materials have been sent to the University of Illinois’ Law Clinic for review.  The Law Clinic has informed us that their current caseload will make it impossible to review until May.

 

Spirit Bearing Witness Faith Based Organization

This organization was desirous of obtaining 501(c)3 non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service for the purpose of obtaining grants for social service purposes.  NTAC staff assisted them in filling out the request for assistance form and followed up with a letter describing the current 501(c)3 social service organizations in the East St. Louis area.  Staff encouraged the organization to first try to place needy parishoners within these existing programs before trying to start a new one.

 

Metro East Builders Concept Group, Ltd.

This for-profit organization was told of the NTAC by the City Manager’s Office.  They filled out a request for assistance form to build homes for low and moderate income buyers.  Staff provided basic research information about the local construciton market, including data about Community Development Block Grant’s HOME funds.  MEBCG expressed interest in partnering with a local non-profit and staff contacted WIPNO to explore possible partnerships.  NTAC provided MECBG with a copy of our cost guidelines for working with for-profits.  These guidelines were promulgated at the request of Community Development Block Grant. (See Attachment 2)

 

Jackie Joyner Kersee Youth Center

At the request of Professor Brian Orland, NTAC staff contacted the Board of the Jackie Joyner Youth Center to inquire about the creation of a World Wide Web page on their behalf.  An Architecture and Landscape Architecture studio will be assigned to model and upload information about the proposed center and complete a World Wide Web page on the internet.

 

Good Shepard Shelter and Dorris’ Helping Hand

Staff assisted these two shelters in establishing good accounting practices when reporting to CDBG, and assisted in the preparation of Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) grants.

 

New Housing Research Initiative

Because of the high demand for non-profits who are interested in affordable housing, staff has begun compiling information and resources for new entrants into the field.  Data books will be compiled staff and University students that will provide general information about housing, funding sources, and requirements.

 

Eagle’s Nest of St. Clair County

Eagle’s Nest utilized NTAC computers to compile its lists of possible board members into one final list based on responses.  A final board has been set and notification sent to participants.

 

Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities

Staff wrote a $4,000 computer grant to the Benton Foundation that would allow the KDCAH to purchase a computer and provide internet access to interested resdients or program participants.  Staff also resaearched the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Utility Board to ascertain whether past penalties for utilities can be forgiven.

 

United Way of Greater St. Louis

 

Introduction

On Thursday January 9, 1997 staff met with Kari McKanna, Allocations Associate for the United Way of Greater St. Louis.  At that meeting we discussed troubled United Way agencies that serve the citizens of East St. Louis and discussed ways in which the University of Illinois could assist them.  Specifically, Ms. McKanna mentioned the need for immediate assistance for Senior Citizens Activities (SCA) of St. Clair County.

 

Senior Citizens Activities of St. Clair County

This organization has operated as the only provider of critical services for the elderly in this region for a number of years.  Thousands of elderly East St. Louis residents  utilize the services and facilities of SCA.  In 1993 the United Way hired Melville Public Advisors to undertake a strategic management review of the organization.  The findings from that review included the following recommendations:

 

                        1. Revitalize board leadership and capabilities.

                        2. Improve managerial performance and accountability.

                        3. Restore effective financial management practices and controls.

                        4. Assess service goals, results, and delivery methods.

                        5. Increase the marketing of targeted services.

                        6. Refine revenue generation efforts.

 

SCA has been described as the only viable provider of elderly services in this part of the county.  The majority of their constituents are low-income minorities from East St. Louis and surrounding communities.  The review contained the following description of the services that they provide:

 

It (SCA) provides a full range of services, including Title III-C services (e.g., congregate and home-delivered meals), Title III-B services (e.g. information and referral, transportation, education, health screening, outreach and recreation) and adult day care.  SCA serves congregate meals five days per week . . . SCA's service area includes the cities of Alorton, Brooklyn, Centreville, East St. Louis, Marissa, Fairmont City and Washington Park. (p. 3)

 

University of Illinois Proposal

The United Way would like for the University of Illinois to assist SCA in assessing its current response to the strategic management review and develop a workplan and timeline for completing the recommended changes.

 

Ms. McKanna provided copies of all relevant correspondence regarding this subject, and they are included as an appendix to this report.  The NTAC responded to Ms. McKanna's request by agreeing to discuss this request with the East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP) board and, if it was warranted, develop a proposal to provide the necessary services.

 

United Way Venture Grant

Ms. McKanna also encouraged the submission of a funding application by the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center for a one time "Venture Grant".  This grant funds new initiatives for organizations and can be for $10,000 to $30,000.  We discussed the possibility of funding the NTAC's expansion in to the Enterprise Community and/or sending neighborhood leaders to training seminars and conferences.  Ms. McKanna will forward the grant requirements and application packet this week.