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 – March, 2000

Summary

Neighborhood Organizations assisted – 8

Faith Based Organizations assisted – 9

Municipal Agencies assisted – 2

Non-Profit Organizations assisted – 7

Other – 5

Introduction

During March, the NTAC focused on preparing for the April 8^th, 2000, training session entitled "The Business of Your Organization". A full report of this training opportunity will be provided in the April monthly report.

Significant time was spent in March preparing the Feb./Mar. newsletter. On March 10^th, the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center released the February/March edition of Neighborhood News. We are happy to report that this edition was 16-pages full of updates from two dozen organizations and general information regarding the Enterprise Communities. Our distribution for this newsletter was approximately 300. The newsletter is a mix of articles written by neighborhood leaders, agency representatives and NTAC staff. Over the years, the newsletter has been a very popular program activity of the NTAC.

Aldersgate Church

The NTAC is working with Aldersgate Church (a pending 501c3 faith-based organization) on the final paperwork for their 501c3 application.

Alta Sita Neighbors, Inc.

The NTAC attended the monthly meetings of ASNI in March.

At the request of ASNI, the University of Illinois’s School of Architecture has devoted an architecture studio to working with residents on possible designs for elderly housing. The proposed housing is mix of assisted and independent living located at 22^nd and Market. The designs have been reviewed and changed twice so far by members of ASNI.

The second "resident review" session was held on March 3^rd, 2000. At this meeting, approximately 20 residents of Alta Sita met with University students to review possible designs for senior housing in the neighborhood. The students will make a third presentation on April 14^th at Bride of Christ Church in Alta Sita.

The NTAC staff is making final revisions to construction documents for the new deck in Alta Sita. The deck will be built by University volunteers and Alta Sita residents during the next work weekend on April 14^th and 15^th. The deck will be built in the Alta Sita mini-park at 29^th and Virginia Place. ASNI is currently seeking donations.

Alternative Spring Break

During March, representatives of Up with People and Monmouth College volunteered in East St. Louis. The volunteers worked with EPDC, Uni-Press Kindercottage, Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, Bride of Christ Church and the Christian Activity Center.

Carver Community Center - CDBG Grant

The NTAC continued working on the renovation of the center’s HVAC system, wheel chair lift and entryway. The assistance included site observation, drafting field reports, construction administration and correspondence with all partners. This renovation project is funded by CDBG. The NTAC is working closely with the Carver’s Board of Directors, CDBG, the project’s A&E firm and selected contractors. The project was completed on March 31, 2000.

Census 2000

NTAC and ESL CAN created an informational flyer and distributed stacks of these flyers to every neighborhood association in the Enterprise Community.

Citizens for a Decent Community – Washington Park

The NTAC completed our work with CFDC on a proposal for a Scholarship Program to serve low-income youth between the ages of 12 and 18 in Washington Park.

City of East St. Louis – City Council

The NTAC attended the City Council committee meetings during the month of March as part of our ongoing effort to disseminate city information to our neighborhood partners via the associations’ regular meetings.

City of East St. Louis - Police Department

The NTAC has partnered with the East St. Louis Police Department, the Regional Institute for Community Policing, the Neighborhood Law Office and New Spirit to coordinate an 8-week Citizen Police Academy. The Academy will be help May 8 through July 10. NTAC is doing all of the recruitment and outreach and the police will schedule the speakers.

Community Mission Neighborhood Advancement, Inc.

The NTAC is working with CMNA to identify possible funding sources for their Youth Entrepreneur Program. NTAC passed on information regarding upcoming EC, CDBG and IGD grant opportunities.

Concerned Citizens

The NTAC met with Concerned Citizens to answer their questions regarding their pending 501c3 application.

Corp of Engineers and City of East St. Louis

The NTAC continued working with the Corp of Engineers, Jesse Walker of the East St. Louis Public Works Department, the East St. Louis Community Action Network and City Councilman Russell on possible changes to state legislation that would enable the City of East St. Louis to leverage limited infrastructure funds with a 75% match from the Federal Government for sewer repairs in the city.

The NTAC worked with ESL CAN to finish maps showing all flooding problems in East St. Louis. A copy of this map is available upon request.

East St. Louis Community Action Network

The NTAC attended the March monthly meeting of ESL CAN.

Emerson Park Development Corporation

As part of NTAC’s ongoing support of the YouthBuild program, NTAC worked with EPDC to locate a construction manager and a journey carpenter. NTAC also helped with the Graduation ceremony for the closing of the "Mental Toughness" section.

NTAC provided computer assistance to EPDC during March and reviewed/edited two funding proposals.

The NTAC attended the March monthly meeting of EPDC.

Fairlawn Neighborhood Association – Citizens for Community Concerns (CCC)

The NTAC helped facilitate the March meeting of the CCC Action Panel that was set up to address the most pressing issues facing the Fairlawn neighborhood. The NTAC helped prepare all publicity materials and an update newsletter.

Golden Garden, Inc. – Centreville

NTAC and GGI began working on the application for 501c3 tax-exempt status. The NTAC staff continues to strategize with this new organization for the re-use of Golden Garden School as a community center. The NTAC and GGI are preparing for a work weekend project on April 15^th. Residents and students will conduct a door-to-door survey and petition.

Greater St. Louis Empowerment Zone

The NTAC continued to serve as a “Community Information Center” for the Empowerment Zone. Residents can visit the NTAC and pick up information on the Empowerment Zone.

Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation

The NTAC was asked by L of L to conduct an assessment of the Carter residence in East St. Louis. The case involves a possible wrongdoing by a contractor who was paid for work not rendered on Ms. Carter’s home. The NTAC staff evaluated the work done on the building, created a cost estimate of needed repairs and got alternative assessments from a local contractor.

Lansdowne Neighborhood Steering Committee

The NTAC attended and helped prepare for the March meeting of the LNSC. The NTAC is working with this new organization on their Articles of Incorporation, recruitment, outreach and agenda setting. The NTAC also prepared maps of the Lansdowne neighborhood.

Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ – Washington Park

The NTAC is working Mount Calvary on their 501c3 application and program description.

Mt. Sinai Church

The NTAC is working with Mt. Sinai, the New Salem Baptist District and Fannie Woods of HUD on their Section 202 Elderly Housing Proposal. Assistance includes mapping, creating a survey of elderly needs and advising Mt. Sinai along the proposal process.

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church

The NTAC is working with MSMBC on their 501c3 application and program description.

Neighbors United for Progress – Centreville

The NTAC worked with Neighbors on the administration of their URP landscaping grant.

New Beginnings Outreach Ministries

The NTAC is working with New Beginnings (a pending 501c3 faith-based organization) on the final review of their 501c3 application.

New Birth Ministries

The NTAC provided grant writing information to this new contact.

Olivette Park Neighborhood Association

The NTAC attended the February monthly meetings of OPNA.

South End New Development Organization

The NTAC attended SENDO's March monthly meeting. NTAC and SENDO also worked together to prepare a pre-proposal for an URP 2000 grant.

Southern Mission Church

The NTAC is working with Southern Mission (a pending 501c3 faith-based organization) on by-laws and the application for tax exempt status.

Starship Connection - Washington Park

The Starship Connection is a new contact for the NTAC. Their mission is to promote positive change by motivating children and adults toward positive goals that emphasize education. Several days during March, the Starship utilized the public access computer site and received computer assistance. They have also requested assistance with 501c3 application. The NTAC will provide them with a "step-by-step" manual.

Statewide Housing Action Coalition

NTAC met with SHAC to identify possible ways to collaborate on training for non-profit organizations.

Urban Resources Partnership

NTAC attended the URP training seminar on March 17, 2000.

Wesley Bethel Church

The NTAC prepared a scope of work and cost estimates for the interior and exterior renovation of the church basement. The detailed cost estimates included input from heating and cooling contractors.

Monthly Budget – March, 2000*

Vendor	Budget Category	Amount
Cathy Klump, Director	Salary	$3,166.67
Craig A. Miller, Design Specialist	Salary	$2,915.00
LaTonya Webb, Community Planner	Salary	$2,666.67
U of I Benefits	Benefits	$1,860.82
Ameren UE	Utilities	$98.29
Illinois Power	Utilities	$90.27
	TOTAL	$10,797.72

* See attached time sheets.