Changes at "Together for a Better Block"
Scope
- +Bronx
Title
- +{"en"=>"Together for a Better Block"}
Body
- +["<xml><dl class=\"decidim_awesome-custom_fields\" data-generator=\"decidim_awesome\" data-version=\"0.10.2\"><dt name=\"text-1727190723263-0\">Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?</dt><dd id=\"text-1727190723263-0\" name=\"text\">\n\n<div>Bedford Park, Norwood\n\n</div></dd><dt name=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\">Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.</dt><dd id=\"checkbox-group-1727190854919-0\" name=\"checkbox-group\">\n\n<div alt=\"Youth\">Youth\n\n</div><div alt=\"Older Adults\">Older Adults\n\n</div><div alt=\"Public Housing Residents\">Public Housing Residents\n\n</div><div alt=\"Justice Impacted People\">Justice Impacted People\n\n</div><div alt=\"People with Disabilities\">People with Disabilities\n\n</div><div alt=\"Limited English Speakers\">Limited English Speakers\n\n</div><div alt=\"Immigrants/ Migrants\">Immigrants/ Migrants\n\n</div><div alt=\"Veterans\">Veterans\n\n</div><div alt=\"LGBTQ+ People\">LGBTQ+ People\n\n</div><div alt=\"Parents\">Parents\n\n</div><div alt=\"Low Income People\">Low Income People\n\n</div><div alt=\"Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color\">Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color\n\n</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191117616-0\">Describe the challenge you want to address:</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191117616-0\" name=\"textarea\">\n\n<div>Community block associations were most active in the 1970's, but they have declined over time. While quality-of-life issues remain, the approach to addressing them has shifted.\"Together for a Better Block\" addresses the challenges of a community experiencing exponential housing growth, an influx of new immigrants, and insufficient city environmental services that keep our block green and clean. These include maintaining community identity, building social cohesion, and addressing overburdened infrastructure. \n\n</div></dd><dt name=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\">What is the solution to the challenge?</dt><dd id=\"textarea-1727191235485-0\" name=\"textarea\">\n\n<div>Together for a Better Block: Strengthening Communities, One Block at a Time\n\n\"Together for a Better Block\" addresses the challenges of rapidly changing neighborhoods by fostering environmental stewardship, community engagement, and social cohesion. This initiative brings residents—longtime and new—together to beautify and keep clean sidewalk spaces and build meaningful connections through activities like tree pit care, gardening, and litter patrols. \n\nThe program features a collaborative event on a residential block, organized by a local community nonprofit, Community Board, or in partnership with an elected official. New staff would be dedicated to this programming, Activities could include: \n- Workshops on Sustainability-: Teaching residents practical ways to care for their environment. \n- Tree Pit Adoption Initiative-: Encouraging residents to take ownership of green spaces and keep them green and clean\n- Friendly Competitions: Events like the \"Cleanest or Greenest Block Challenge\" to inspire civic pride, complete with prizes such as custom T-shirts or mugs featuring slogans for example- *Together for a Better Block – East 201 Street!* \n\nTo ensure success, the program would hire local community members to conduct on-site outreach, recruit block volunteers, and help organize the event. Funding would cover essential supplies, such as tree care materials, plants, customized swag, and end-of-season celebrations as well as salaries for the new staff. \n\nThe program concludes with a celebratory event to showcase improved spaces, recognize volunteers, and honor the community’s collective achievements. This celebration also highlights the neighborhood's diversity and resilience, reinforcing a sense of pride and unity. \nTogether for a Better Block\" revitalizes the spirit of traditional block associations while adapting to today’s challenges. A dedicated newsletter could further support the initiative, sharing updates on community service projects, city services, and events, as well as promoting unity and civic participation. \n\nThis initiative not only improves neighborhoods aesthetically but also strengthens the bonds that make them vibrant and resilient, creating a sustainable model for community building in a changing city. \n\n</div></dd><dt name=\"number-1727191411855-0\">Please provide your Zip Code</dt><dd id=\"number-1727191411855-0\" name=\"number\">\n\n<div>10458\n\n</div></dd></dl></xml>"]
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