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0 CITY OF SOUTH BEND ( OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> we've won some grants. I think we are in a great spot to make this happen moving forward. We've <br /> been building the plane while flying it. <br /> Ms.Aldridge continued,Here(referencing a slide in the presentation)are some of the things we've <br /> done within our mission. We take a grassroots outreach and data-driven approach to research our <br /> resource development. We did the west side qualitative study and that was sort of a big part of <br /> helping us understand food insecurity issues and how we might address them moving forward. As <br /> we develop those things, it's important for there to be a stable NRC. I can develop this on the 14th <br /> floor all day.We can have great programs coming from the 14th floor all day. But,if we don't have <br /> internal mechanism and communication channels internally as well as with external partners,there <br /> are things happening that people don't know about right now.That is my sense of urgency and we <br /> need to make sure that we are sharing with folks what we are doing around poverty in our <br /> neighborhoods. One (1) thing that has been happening forever is Pathways. How many folks in <br /> our neighborhoods even know that is a thing or that you all and the Mayor have invested in this? <br /> So,we need to go to our neighborhoods and where folks are and bring these resources to them. As <br /> we do our access to capital work,that is going to be very important moving our City plans forward <br /> as it relates to small business development. Not just minorities, but the entire small business <br /> ecosystem. So again,just these communications systems. <br /> She went on, So, moving forward, we did win a grant through the St. Joseph County Community <br /> Foundation. They were thrilled that it was collaborative. We had the Council and the Clerk at the <br /> table. Moving forward with fundraising initiatives with the NRC,it seems that we have more luck <br /> when we do it together. So, we want to continue to leverage that. With that, I would like to <br /> introduce Dr. Milon who we are so thrilled to have. Like I said, for the last year and a half,we've <br /> had our engagement team and we've been muddling through the engagement piece, which often <br /> happens.We are thrilled to have her. I think her official start date was in June,but she is real South <br /> Bend. Like, last class of Central High School, South Bend. <br /> Dr. Barbara Milon, 2526 Chalk Maple Court, South Bend, stated, Go Central Bears. It's a moot <br /> point but I was the last Student Government President at Central High School.I had the opportunity <br /> to participate in other leadership roles including being a varsity debater. One (1) year we placed <br /> tenth (10th) out of eight hundred (800) students in the State participating in debate at Purdue <br /> University.But,what you want me to talk about toady is our vision at the Neighborhood Resources <br /> Connection. I hesitated for a moment because I think a vision statement within our communities <br /> is an inclusive process. It involved more than one (1) person so what I'm going to state to you <br /> today are just some ideas. Please know that we involve participation. We want to engage people. <br /> We want to support people so that they are empowered within our neighborhoods to do that work <br /> that needs to be done. Vision is involving community. <br /> She continued, A leader in the world said there can be hope only for a society which acts as one <br /> (1) big family and not as separate ones. That was from President Anwar Sadat. The engagement <br /> and participation of neighbors in the NRC is paramount to a healthy community and the quality of <br /> life for everyone. When we,neighbors and neighborhood associations,are represented at the table, <br /> this supports the work that must be done to sustain and provide for the quality of life for everyone. <br /> I mentioned I hesitated in providing a vision statement but the components of a vision statement, <br /> it has to be strength-based. A person I worked with years ago said we must first(1s) come from a <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld'South Bend,Indiana 46601;p 574.235.9221!(574.235.9173',TTD574.235.5567v w.southbendin.gov <br /> 3 <br />