Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center (NTAC)

 

A collaborative project of the East St. Louis Enterprise Community (EC),

St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department (IGD) and the

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

Monthly Report – June, 2000

 

 

Summary

 

Neighborhood Organizations assisted –             8         

Faith Based Organizations assisted –                 4

Municipal Agencies assisted –               6         

Non-Profit Organizations assisted –                  13

Other –                                                            2

           

 

Introduction

 

In June, NTAC continued coordinating the eight-week Citizen Police Academy in partnership with the East St. Louis Police Department, New Spirit, Neighborhood Law Office and the Regional Institute for Community Policing.  NTAC prepared for a graduation ceremony scheduled for July 10th.  Fifty-five residents will graduate from the Academy on July 10th.

 

NTAC also worked extensively in June on preparing the June/July edition of NTAC News.  The 16-page newsletter was released on June 23rd.

 

NTAC began preparing for the July 22nd training session for non-profit organizations in the Enterprise Community.  This session will focus on financial management and bookkeeping.

 

In June, NTAC convinced the Urban Resources Partnership to extend the application deadline for year 2000 grants.  As a result, three organizations will receive over $60,000 to implement urban improvement projects.

 

An intern from the Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation joined the NTAC staff in June.  The high school student, Michael Grey, will assist with research and basic office duties.

 

The Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center provided technical assistance to the following organizations during June, 2000.

 

15th Street Childcare Center

 

§         Worked on revisions to this organization’s 501c3 application

 

 

Adventures in Motivation

 

§         Conducted update meeting for Dayton/Wedgewood water park project

§         Created site maps and collected relevant site information

§         Assisted AIM in applying and obtaining a $50,000 grant from the Urban Resources Partnership to revitalize the recreational fields behind Sister Thea Bowman School

 

Alta Sita Community Development Corporation

 

§         Assisted ASDC with the implementation of a $30,000 URP grant to revitalize Virginia Park

 

Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc.

 

§         Attended the monthly meeting of ASNI in June

§         Assisted with the administration of ASNI’s URP grant

§         Helped with the set-up of organization’s computer system

§         Provided list of reputable contractors for homeowners interested in home-rehab

 

American Bottom Conservancy

 

§         Assist ABC in grantwriting and review for a year 2000 URP grant to conduct wetlands education for youth and adults

 

Benevolent Heart Association

 

§         Explained process of becoming a 501c3 tax-exempt organization

 

Bride of Christ Community Outreach Center

 

§         Assisted in preparing a proposal from BOCCOM to Illinois Power for $3,000 to conduct a youth program focused on African American history

§         Continued working with BOCCOM on setting up a small public computer lab with computers donated by the Enterprise Community

§         Continued work on landscaping plans for church grounds

§         Conducted grant review for a proposal from BOCCOM to the Enterprise Community for $75,000

 

City of East St. Louis – City Council

 

§         Attended the City Council committee meetings during the month of June as part of NTAC’s ongoing effort to disseminate city information to our neighborhood partners via the associations’ regular meetings

 

City of East St. Louis – Planning Commission

 

§         Planned and facilitated the June 21st meeting of the East St. Louis Planning Commission

City of East St. Louis - Police Department

 

§         Coordinated four weeks of the Citizen Police Academy in partnership with the East St. Louis Police Department.  Fifty-five residents are half-way through the Academy’s training.

§         Prepared for July 10th graduation ceremony

 

Community Child Care Center

 

§         Provided training to Child Care staff in Microsoft Word 6.0 and Microsoft Publisher

§         Review of design charrette results for proposed playscape funded by URP and DHS

 

Congress of National Black Churches

 

§         Met to discuss possible expansion of Faith Based Organizing Initiative with Congress of National Black Churches

 

Dayton / Wedgewood Neighborhood Association

 

§         Explained process of establishing a new neighborhood organization with a group of interested residents

 

Dorris Helping Hands Shelter

 

§         Assisted in preparation of an Illinois Emergency Shelter Grant

§         Advised organization on board development

 

Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities

 

§         Assisted Dunham Centers with outreach to Alorton, Centreville, Brooklyn and Washington Park for summer Intensive Dance Workshop by distributing public service announcements and flyers

§         Continued programming for a new Katherine Dunham Performing Arts Academy

§         Created implementation schedule for Phase 2 of Artisinal Village development (funded by URP in the amount of $45,000)

 

East St. Louis Community Action Network

 

§         Attended the June monthly meeting of ESL CAN

§         Worked on ESL CAN Code Enforcement Committee to devise a list of questions for the Department of Regulatory Affairs

 

Emerson Park Development Corporation

 

§         Assisted EPDC on submitted their 2001 YouthBuild proposal for $700,000 in HUD funds

§         Continued teaching an Introduction to Construction Management course for YouthBuild students every Thursday

§         Attended the June monthly meeting of EPDC

 

Fairlawn Neighborhood Association – Citizens for Community Concerns (CCC)

 

§         Helped facilitate the June meeting of the CCC Action Panel

§         Assisted in preparation of a $3,000 proposal from CCC to Illinois Power

 

Faith-based Family Housing Program

 

§         Site reviews and field reporting on the house at 8th and Summit being built by the Faith-Based Family Housing Program and designed by Craig Miller of NTAC

 

Financial Advisory Authority

 

§         Discussed future collaborative research projects

§         Providing training to FAA staff in Geographic Information Systems

 

Focus St. Louis

 

§         Assisted Focus in identifying community organizations that are interested in regional problem solving and citizen engagement

§         Participated in a two-day facilitator training with ten community partners on June 23-24

 

Greater St. Louis Empowerment Zone

 

§         Continued to serve as a “Community Information Center” for the Empowerment Zone

 

Housing Authority of East St. Louis

 

§         Prepared census data on population, housing, income and employment

§         Created maps for upcoming Housing Authority developments

 

Homeless Action Council

 

§         Attended the June meeting of the Homeless Action Council

§         Offered technical assistance to providers of homelessness services

 

Lansdowne Neighborhood Steering  Committee

 

§         Attended and helped prepare for the June meeting of the LNSC

§         Providing technical assistance for preparation of Articles of Incorporation, recruitment, outreach and agenda setting

 

Metropolitan Communication Association - Centreville

 

§         Final revisions to MECCA’s 501c3 application before submission to IRS

Neighbors United for Progress - Centreville

 

§         Administration of URP grant for a landscaped lot at 43rd and Market

 

New Beginnings Out Reach Ministries - Centreville

 

§         Revised 501c3 application based on comments by Internal Revenue Service

 

Olivette Park Neighborhood Association

 

§         Attended the June monthly meeting of OPNA

 

Reaching Generations, Inc.

 

§         Met with Reaching Generations to discuss conducting a feasibility study for adult day care needs in metro East St. Louis

§         Assisted in the development of a “Success by Six” program to be implemented by Reaching Generations

§         Discussed Emergency Shelter Grant opportunities

 

Rush City Improvement Association

 

§         Attended the June monthly meeting of RCIA

 

Starship Connection - Washington Park

 

§         Developed publicity materials for Starship Connections first annual fundraiser festival

§         Created event tickets for festival

 

Urban Resources Partnership

 

§         Participated in proposal review and ranking for year 2000 URP grant program

§         Conducted outreach to solicit proposals for year 2000 grant program

§         Assisted three organizations submit URP proposals: Bride of Christ Community Outreach Mission, New Beginnings Out Reach Ministry and Community Child Care Center

 

Urban Seniors – Washington Park

 

§         Created mailing list and prepared mailing for Urban Seniors field trip program with Dr. Sheryl Clayton

§         Prepared application to Casino Queen Foundation for $1,000 to support senior field trip program

 

Workforce Partners

 

§         Participated in meetings of St. Louis region employment developers on June 6th and 13th