6D(9) Temporary Use of Commission property

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Neighborhood Resources Corporation Inspire Grant Application Project Narrative 1. The Unity Garden Neighborhood Collaboration Project seeks to create increased neighborhood cohesion and involvement in the largest and most public Unity Garden; LaSalle Square Unity Garden, , paving the way for participatory neighborhood revitalization. (Located at 3701 Prast Blvd South Bend, IN 46628) The project plan includes: 1. Developing inviting gathering areas within the garden and walking paths around the garden to attract new neighbors. 2. Initiating a new Unity framework of "individual plots" in the LaSalle Square Unity Garden 3. Developing and beginning a yearlong educational curriculum surrounding health, nutrition, and planting, growing, and harvesting food. 4. Purchasing an educational green house to enhanced active learning on site and increase food production. 5. Conducting active outreach to assure increased awareness of the existing Unity Garden. This Unity garden location was chosen because of the high need for affordable food within the neighborhood, the prolific cultural diversity, the socio- economic challenges, and the strength of the current Unity Garden volunteer base. The specific goals include: • Plan and hold neighborhood meetings to identify neighborhood goals for Unity Garden growth. • Increase neighborhood involvement in the LaSalle Square Unity Gardens(piloting the successful frameworks and methodology for future Unity locations) • Facilitate new collaborations between neighbors, businesses, schools, organizations and religious communities through coordinated Unity service and events • Revitalize neighborhood and stimulate new opportunities through increased community connections, action, and attention. • Reduce crime in targeted areas • Increase access to fresh produce The Unity Garden Neighborhood Collaboration Project captures the community vision through existing Unity Garden Leaders, chosen for their current success in fostering collaborative growth within the neighborhood. These garden leaders, identified within this proposal as story tellers, will engage in participatory research i.e. interviews, focus groups, and community town hall type meetings, to identify the neighborhood vision for the Unity Garden.