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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> years to see the investment into the Charles Black Center and we want to make sure the programs <br /> coming out of the Center are at the level of expectation.Next is the infrastructure and Smart Street <br /> completion between Falcon and Kentucky Streets. I can give some feedback on that now which <br /> may help us look at those other four (4) priorities. It is my understanding that your president did <br /> meet with some individuals from the Department of Community Investment and at that time, <br /> concerns were shared about the Main Streets completion. The design and engineering part of the <br /> project has to happen and in the next two (2) to four (4) weeks, a firm for that will be identified <br /> and that process will start the latter part of October 2018. The completion of the whole project will <br /> be in the spring of 2019. Within the upcoming budget,monies are being allocated to complete that <br /> project. Next is the plan to create open store fronts for black business owners as well as the <br /> abatement program for home reinvestment. Those are the five (5) priorities. Let's start talking <br /> about these. <br /> Committee Chair White asked, What are your dreams for, and how do you see the Charles Black <br /> Center? What are your expectations that you have of the Charles Black Center? <br /> Henry Davis Jr., 5117 Idlewood Drive, stated, If I may, and I don't want to dominate the <br /> conversation,I really don't,but we had talked about wanting to put programming in there that the <br /> neighborhood can participate in. We have also come to understand there has been discussion <br /> already with our Hispanic counterparts about what they would like to see in the Center. We don't <br /> call foul to that, that's not a bad thing but it is a bad thing if we aren't being included at the table. <br /> We are interested in not only seeing them use the accommodations but also finding programming <br /> for our senior population. We've seen programming over the years when it was just a lunch. The <br /> ongoing programming we are interested in seeing has a lot to do with our youth. A lot of the <br /> conversation has focused around what our youth are doing throughout the summer or even <br /> throughout the school year. If you are talking about three hundred and sixty-five(3 65)days a year, <br /> you are talking about the disparity gap,the wealth gap and crime. We are talking about all of these <br /> other issues that confront us and our youth. We want to know how to get the youth interested in <br /> career development. We want them to put the guns down but what is the alternative? It is not just <br /> a basketball. We want to conceptualize and design a curriculum around the jobs and careers that <br /> will be available for the youth in ten(10)years.The programming needs to groom them for success <br /> and not just have them come in, eat chips, play basketball, drink juice, do homework and then go <br /> home. We have to visualize our kids in these seats twenty (20) years from now. We all won't be <br /> here. I might be but hopefully I'm not. We have to look at leadership capacity and if we aren't <br /> developing their leadership ability now, we are in trouble. We can't keep saying they need to do <br /> better. We need to do better for them. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, So when we begin to look at programming, we are looking at <br /> basketball and those kinds of things,we are wanting a more holistic and strategic way of engaging <br /> our young people. Careers, leadership and other life skills they need in order to be successful is <br /> what the conversation is about with leaders of the Charles Black Center and members of the <br /> Administration. That is my take on summarizing what you just said. We can work collectively on <br /> that as well. <br /> Committeemember Jo M. Broden stated, I guess I see that as a park. And I think you've already <br /> spoken to the correct people but it is now important to understand what the existing programs are <br /> and where we want to go. Specifically,we need to ask what will help and what the required staffing <br /> will be. Also, what skills are required? What is going to be new that we are not doing elsewhere <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD 574.235.55671 vwvw.southbendin.gov <br /> 2 <br />