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Southeast Quality of Life <br />Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan <br />DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN <br />The residents of the Southeast Side neighborhood in South Bend, Indiana are <br />taking action to aggressively resolve the issues challenging the survival of their <br />homes, families, and neighborhood. In April 1994, the Southeast Quality of Life <br />(SEQL) neighborhood organization, in conjunction with the City of South Bend, <br />determined that to prepare the neighborhood for the successful future, an <br />action -oriented strategic plan had to be developed. SEQL retained the services <br />of Teska Associates, Inc., in conjunction with Lupke & Associates and Boezi & <br />Associates, to facilitate the development of the plan over the following nine <br />months. The results of the plan focus on building upon the wealth of resources <br />that the neighborhood has in its residents, housing, churches, schools, and <br />physical environment. The approach depended upon the input and dedication <br />of key persons in the community, particularly area residents. SEQL also <br />established the role of a "Community Organizer" as an element of this <br />approach. <br />The neighborhood hired a Community Organizer. The Organizer was made <br />responsible for acting as a link between SEQL, the consultant, and the <br />neighborhood. The Community Organizer had a variety of key tasks to <br />complete. First, she was responsible for informing residents of the project. She <br />was responsible for educating residents as to the importance of their <br />participation for the success of both the project and the neighborhood. She <br />helped build relationships between key organizations and the neighborhood. <br />Finally, she was responsible for organizing key meetings. <br />Public participation and input was an essential element of the plan. This <br />participation was accomplished in several ways. One-on-one key person <br />interviews were conducted with residents, property owners, city <br />representatives, businesspersons, ministers, and institutional users to elicit <br />experiences and conclusions regarding community needs and opportunities for <br />community development. The interviews also served to build support for <br />enlisting key persons to serve on Task Forces in the development of the plan. <br />The focus of these interviews was not on solutions but rather on the <br />community development issues which needed to be addressed and potential <br />leadership and resources to address them. <br />The Neighborhood Forum <br />To further obtain resident input, SEQL held a Neighborhood Forum, facilitated <br />by the Consultant Team and a local community activist and organizer. The goal <br />of the first forum was to build a planning platform which focused upon the <br />2 <br />