Blogs

Thank you for your attendance at our 2nd “Newhallville Grassroots Action” meeting on Tuesday, August 15^th.  It was very encouraging to hear your reports/updates on the amazing things that community leaders have accomplished in Newhallville thus far, and the need for more action to improve the lives of residents in the aftermath of the shooting death of Tyrick Keyes.  The notes from the meeting are attached for your review.  

If you were unable to attend the August 15^th meeting, please email me with updates of your assigned group task.  In addition, please review the attached list of people who participated in an initial "Newhallville Grass-root Action Group".   Once finalized, your group facilitator will begin communication with you -   

As you know, we will be meeting periodically to stay connected.  Our next follow-up meeting will take place in September after the start of the new school year.  In the meantime, please continue the outstanding work you are doing to make a difference in the lives of “…the least of these (poor, hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and imprisoned)”.

Your Brother in Struggle,

Kermit Carolina

“If you want to go fast – go alone.  If you want to go far – go together.” 

- African Proverb

Community Leaders!

NEWHALLVILLE GRASSROOTS ACTION PLANNING

Tuesday, August 15th, 2017 – 5:30pm

Lincoln Bassett Elementary School

8/15 - FOLLOW-UP NOTES FROM GROUP SESSIONS

SAFETY

Facilitator:  Leonard Jihad & Sheldon Tucker

• Better communication and trust between the police and community

  • Visit the Police Academy to talk with cadets about community concerns

    • Discussions are taking place with NHPD

      • Person(s) Responsible:  Karl Jacobs

      • Deadline: 9/29

  • Meet with the Area/District Manager to discuss how to build trust

    • Renee Forte-Dominguez, Lt./D.M.

      • Attended Newhallville Management Team meeting/4th Tuesday – 6pm

• More Community Outreach

  • Involve community in the selection of Street Outreach Workers

    • Attempting to hire more (particularly from Newhallville

      • Person(s) Responsible: L. Jihad

      • Deadline: 9/29

• Community Upgrades

  • Lights

  • Cameras

    • 6 new cameras committed to Newhallville

      • Person(s) Responsible:  Karl Jacobs

      • Deadline: Completed

  • The cutting of tree branches that block the view of cameras is happening now

    • Ongoing clearing of branches for lights and cameras

      • Person(s) Responsible:  Karl Jacobs

      • Deadline: Completed

• Organize

  • Talk to youth to teach them about our work as a collective

    • Organize “Youth Stat Talks” (weekly or bi-weekly) & invite community leaders

      • Person(s) Responsible:  Kermit

      • Deadline: 9/29

  • What are Black men doing to honor each other?

    • Person(s) Responsible: ?

    • Deadline:

JOBS

Facilitator(s):  Arthur Edwards, Gary Gates, Rodney Williams

• Identify Resources

  • Person(s) Responsible: ?

  • Deadline:

• Network Collaborate

  • Person(s) Responsible: ?

  • Deadline:

• Mentorship Training Program

  • • Person(s) Responsible: ?

    • Deadline:

• Increase Youth Employment & Job Training

  • Will organize a Job Training & Trade School Fair for Newhallville residents

    • Identify job training programs and send email (workforce Alliance, etc…)  - All

      • Person(s) Responsible: Arthur Edwards

      • Deadline: 9/29

EDUCATION

Facilitator(s):  Gemma Lumpkin & Ife Waters

• Restoring the Village System (Create Support System)

  • Person(s) Responsible: ?

  • Deadline:

• Build Student Voice

  • Will visit schools (i.e. Hillhouse) to meet with disengaged students from Newhallville

    • Person(s) Responsible:  Barbara Fair

    • Deadline: 9/29

• Increase attendance and City-wide Parent Team Meetings

  • Will recruit parents at upcoming football games (Pop Warner, Hilllhouse, Cross, etc…) - Ife

    • Person(s) Responsible:  Ife

    • Deadline: 9/29

• Making BOE accountable for updating policies

  • Person(s) Responsible: ?

  • Deadline:

• Meet parents where they are at (Sport events, etc…)

  • Will recruit parents at upcoming football games (Pop Warner, Hilllhouse, Cross, etc…) - Ife

    • Person(s) Responsible:  Ife

    • Deadline: 9/29

• Connect kids to safe adults

  • Person(s) Responsible: ?

  • Deadline:

YOUTH

Facilitator(s):  Kyisha Velasquez

• Meet w/youth to find out what they want/reach out through social media possibly w/survey.  Find youth who will send messages out.  

  • Will meet students through “Youth Stat Talks” once school begins

    • Persons Responsibilities: Krystal, Dearie & Samera

    • Deadline:  9/29

• Identify pastors & churches that will allow use of their buildings for youth activities

  • Person Responsible:  Steve

  • Deadline:  8/15/17

• Identify adults willing to work w/kids where they are on a consistent basis –

  • go canvassing

    • Person Responsible:  Kyisha, Niki

    • Deadline:  8/15/17

• Identify community businesses and organizations to see what they are willing to give us access to use (i.e. kitchen, office, etc…).  

  • Person(s) Reponsible:  Steve

  • Deadline:  8/15/17

• Healing circles to allow kids time to process their hurt and anger.   Attend an overnight camp (Camp Farnum, etc…) by the end of August.   

  • See Jason Bartlett regarding:  City Resources?  Dates?  How Many?

    • Person(s) Responsible:  Barbara, Steve, Samera, Krystal, Kyisha & Holly

    • Deadline:  9/12

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Facilitator(s):  Barbara Vereen

• Social Media

  • Person(s) Responsible: (John Pickett & Kim Harris)

  • Deadline: 9/29

• Neighborhood Beautification

  • Person(s) Responsible: (Darlene & Connie Cooper)

  • Deadline: 9/29

• Clergy and Business Owner Outreach

  • Person(s) Responsible: (John & Kim Tucker)

  • Deadline: 9/29

• Neighborhood Block Parties

  • Person(s) Responsible: (Barbara Vereen & Delphine Clyburn)

  • Deadline: 9/29