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Reports:
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There was a discussion of the need for affordable housing for low-income
families, which many feel is not being provided in FPSE. The Human
Services Committee on July 23 recommended writing personal letters
to Alderman Joseph D. Roddy. The Council provided pens and paper and
seven members wrote letters which will be forwarded to the Alderman.
Carlton McGee, former FPSE resident, spoke about his self-esteem and
employment program for 13- to 18-year-old African-American males.
Funding is needed for expansion of the program. Eunice Bedwell pointed
out the need for similar attention for young white males. It was suggested
that McGee submit written information for continuing discussion and
that his efforts may fit with Faith Connections efforts.
John Pachak, Joshua Heilman, and Kim Jayne reported on the Faith Connections
summer programs serving youth in the neighborhood.
Faith Connections started a project to track family movement in FPSE.
Families who get notice to move or decide to move should phone Joan
(727.6237), Pam (531.0155), or John (534.1180). Joan will have an
intake form and will keep a file. The purpose is to provide community
support to prevent the move or to ease the move. Funding support for
an intern will be sought.
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Adams School and Community Center:
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(1) APCC. Bob reported that Trish Curtis
had to leave before the item was reached; she will return for
the August meeting. Bob reported that he suggested to Trish that
the APCC meetings should be open because of the public
funds from the Board of Education and the participation of two Board
of Education officials on the board. He observed that, in any event,
secret meetings sent an interesting message about "resident-driven"
programs at the center.
(2) Sharonica Hardin: Adams School will have 400 children from
preschool through the fifth grade, with capacity for 20 in preschool
and 89
in kindergarten. All of the teachers have been hired. As a
neighborhood school, families closest to the
school may choose Adams. Part of McRee town is included in the Adams
area. (The area served by the
school and enrollment information is available from the Board of
Education's Recruitment and Counseling office, 367.1368.)
(2) Chuck Tyler: The Adams playground has to be open to the public. The
gates have not been locked since mid-July and temporary hours of
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. are posted. Cardinals Care will maintain the outfield
for three years. APCC has to maintain the infield and outside the
fence. It will advertise for bids. FPSE residents who meet the general
requirements for the maintenance contract will get preference.
Tyler will manage a large number of programs that community groups
have. The center's first floor will have office space and a computer
lab. The second floor will have two multi-purpose rooms. Tyler stated
that folks who can't afford a membership fee (which is not yet set)
will get help to join. "Fees will not be a barrier to membership,"
Tyler said. The playground will be open to the community at all hours,
with no locked doors.
The kitchen facility will be a "warming kitchen," not a working kitchen.
The center will share cafeteria and gym facilities with the school.
Currently the budget does not provide for an outside sprayer-fountain.
For further information, call Tyler at 652.0895.
See corrections and additions from
Chuck Tyler.
(4) Rev. Jerry Paul: In 1997 the Deaconess Foundation made a commitment
to spend $1 million a year in the Sustainable Neighborhoods. Deaconess's
major purpose is healthy children. Among other things, they now
fund the community nurses (Pam and Diane) and the Lead Coalition.
Paul and the foundation wanted to know the degree of community support
for a possible donation of $1 million for the construction costs of
the community center.
(5) Those present at the meeting expressed their opinions, mainly
along lines of spending money directly on human needs such as mental
health problems and on services for people south of Manchester who
feel like they don't have a seat at the table. (George Jones mentioned
that in just the last week, 21 Adams Grove people, many of them
children, got notices to move.) Bob observed that many neighborhood
people need help because they have such low incomes while rents and
utilities keep getting more expensive.
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Announcements:
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Lamb's Bride Church (Tony Davis, pastor) will have a
street festival October 13. The festival will celebrate the reopening
of Adams School, provide back-to-school needs, a health component,
rides, and neighborhood participation.
Minutes prepared by Joan Botwinick (727.6237), edited by
Bob Babione (371.5246).
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